10,000 high school seniors will be directly admitted, offered scholarship opportunities to three top colleges in northern Utah
Three Utah colleges are making higher education more accessible and affordable than ever by automatically admitting over 10,000 high school seniors in Davis, Morgan and Weber counties.
Davis Technical College, Ogden-Weber Technical College and Weber State University announced their direct admissions initiative today.
Every senior across the counties’ public school districts, along with some ch
arter and private schools, will receive acceptance letters beginning this month.
With this initiative, students won’t need to go through the application process, which has historically been a barrier to attending college. They will already have student records on file, and will only need to fill out an interest form to receive more information on one or all three of the schools that have admitted them.
“Getting into college is the first step, and we’re making that easier than ever,” said Brad Mortensen, Weber State president. “With this initiative, we’re letting students know that they’re in — college isn’t a possibility, it’s a reality. We have people ready to help them on their educational journey, from that very first class all the way to graduation.
The acceptance letters will also explain financial aid and scholarship options, including offers of partial and full tuition coverage in some cases.
“This is groundbreaking for high school students in our communities,” said Darin Brush, president of Davis Tech. “By granting acceptance to all three institutions, we’re offering countless higher education opportunities for them to choose from, before they’ve even graduated from high school.”
Combined, the three schools are home to more than 46,000 students. James Taggart, president of OTECH, said this initiative shows their commitment to providing affordable, quality education in the region.
“This will really benefit students and families, along with local employers who rely on skilled graduates for economic growth and community prosperity,” Taggart said. “With stackable credentials, more people can access high-paying careers and complete their degrees faster — and at a much lower cost.”
Mortensen said he hopes the new initiative will also make it easier for students in the technical colleges to transition to WSU. Those who complete certificates at either of the two tech colleges will now earn up to 21 elective credits that can be applied toward any degree at WSU through the new TechTransfer program.
Dan Linford, superintendent for the Davis School District, said these initiatives offer a “transformative advantage” for the more than 70,000 students in his district.
“It not only unlocks life-changing opportunities but also extends an invitation to higher education for students who may have never realized that door was open to them,” Linford said. “This program ensures that every eligible student feels welcomed and empowered to pursue their academic potential.”
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Marketing & Communications staff
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- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, Public Relations Director
Weber State University
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.eduSherry Rouch, Director of Marketing and Communications
Davis Technical College
801-593-2483, sherry.rouch@davistech.eduJulianne Wessman, Marketing and Communications Manager
Ogden-Weber Technical College
801-627-8389, julianne.wessman@otech.edu