Portland State University joins Common App’s Direct Admissions Program

Today, Portland State University joined Common App’s direct admissions program, which will provide more than 200,000 first generation and low and middle-income students who are college-interested with proactive admissions offers.

Common App’s direct admissions program also includes outreach and resources to families, and to counselors who have students receiving a direct admissions offer.

“We strongly believe in the value of a college education, and even if they choose to go somewhere else, we want every student in Oregon to explore their options before making a decision,” said Chuck Knepfle, vice president for Enrollment Management at Portland State. “Through this program, we have made the application and enrollment process more approachable for first generation and low-income Oregon students. As the most diverse university in Oregon with aid programs that eliminate tuition for over half of our students this aligns with our continued commitment to make college accessible to more students.”

“We are excited for Portland State University to join our direct admissions program, where even more students will now know that they are worthy and wanted on a college campus,” said Jenny Rickard, president & CEO of Common App. “Overall, direct admissions is about changing the narrative of a college education from one of scarcity to one of opportunity, by ensuring students know that college opportunity is an abundant resource — and one that’s available to them.”

Common App has piloted a direct admissions program since 2021, offering admission to students who created a Common App account and provided enough academic information — but had not yet completed all — of their open applications. The latest iteration of the pilot offered admission to 33,0000 students at 14 participating institutions, and more than 800 students accepted the offer. Results showed the impacts of the intervention were strongest for Black or African American, Latinx and First-generation students.

Students have been able to apply to Portland State University through the Common App since 2021. Bringing in more than 5,000 applications annually from first year and transfer students all over the United States and the world.

Portland State University’s Common App Direct Admission will be offered to eligible Oregon residents who are first generation and low-income.