The university is set to collaborate with ECISD and MISD to grant automatic admission to UTPB for eligible high school seniors.
In Odessa, Texas, a new initiative has been unveiled to facilitate the enrollment of high school seniors into college. The Direct Admissions program at UTPB aims to streamline the admission process for qualifying high school seniors from the Ector County Independent School District and Midland Independent School District by offering them automatic admission to UTPB.
Dr. Becky Spurlock, the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at UTPB, conceived the program approximately nine months ago and played a pivotal role in its implementation.
“Direct admissions involve a direct partnership with school districts to access the necessary data for making college admissions decisions without requiring students to submit applications,” explained Dr. Spurlock. “Instead of students having to initiate the process by providing us with information for evaluation, we can assess their eligibility directly and extend admission offers to them proactively.”
High school seniors from ECISD and MISD with a minimum GPA of 2.75 are eligible for the Direct Admission program, benefiting over 1,300 students across both districts.
To participate, students simply need to complete a brief online form, submit an official transcript to the Office of Admissions, and await an email containing a link to register for New Student Orientation.
School administrators will distribute letters to students on campus and send postcards to families to disseminate information about the program.
During their campus visits, UTPB’s admissions teams will be present to provide personalized assistance to students regarding the program.
“Our team will engage with students individually, eliminating the need for them to navigate Apply Texas or any other processes. Attending orientation is all they need to do,” stated UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley. “We will guide these students on degree plans, explore their interests, and for those opting for the University of Texas Permian Basin, we will assist them in accessing available financial aid.”
Qualified students will have access to scholarships and financial aid opportunities based on specific criteria.
“Having obtained the necessary data, we can automatically assess students for merit-based awards,” Dr. Spurlock added. “Any student meeting the merit criteria based on their academic record will receive a merit award along with their admission letter.”
Most significantly, this new program broadens access to students who may have faced financial barriers or challenges in gaining admission, paving the way for a promising future.
“This initiative opens doors for students from diverse backgrounds who may have thought college was out of reach, particularly those who are first-generation college-goers,” noted MISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Howard. “It simplifies the application and acceptance processes, providing opportunities that students may not have realized were available to them.”