Breaking barriers: The case for automatic admission

Undergraduate students completing their degrees are often asked by parents, family, friends and faculty: "So, what’s next?" Most have an answer — getting a job or continuing their education. 

Previously, I discussed how students could access customized knowledge to acquire new or different career skills. As the sixth topic in the series on how reimagined graduate education can solve global problems, this article explores how an additional admission process supports students entering master’s programs. Here, I describe an automatic admission process and explain why universities should adopt it.

What is an automatic admissions process?

Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree typically complete an application package, which includes a completed form, undergraduate transcript, personal statement, faculty recommendation letters and an application fee. Applicants submit a complete application to each degree program where they want to be considered. In some cases, that means paying the application fee multiple times. If none of the applications are successful, applicants may have to wait a year to reapply. This process can be frustrating and stressful, leading many students who might want a graduate degree to forgo applying altogether.

What if, instead, universities implemented a process that automatically admits qualified undergraduate recipients into one or more master’s programs?

Who is automatically admitted and into which degrees?

Prospective students eligible for automatic admission must meet the minimum qualifications for graduate school. At ASU, this means earning a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Our automatic admissions process — ASU Personalized Graduate Admissions — focuses exclusively on ASU undergraduates, allowing us to understand their academic background thoroughly. This also enables us to email them a list of degree programs inviting them to enroll.

To maximize flexibility, we offer eligible students at least one choice and many students receive multiple master’s program options, giving them various choices. Many students have shared that they discovered degree programs that are actually a better fit than the ones they were previously considering. This is a huge win for students on their academic journey.

What this process does not do

The automatic admission process does not eliminate the graduate application process. Some students know exactly what career path they want to pursue. Students who wish to be considered for a specific degree are strongly encouraged to apply directly to that program rather than waiting for the automatic admissions process. With automatic admissions, an invitation to the program of choice is not guaranteed. However, applying through the standard process provides priority consideration, which is crucial for students who know their desired degree.

Also, at ASU, Personalized Graduate Admissions is only for undergraduate degree recipients.

Why should universities automatically admit students into master’s programs?

Automatically admitting students into graduate programs and personalizing the process based on their undergraduate studies is valuable for universities that prioritize access, aim to grow enrollment, recognize and reward undergraduate accomplishments, and want to see students succeed in the future.

At ASU, we have heard from students who said that personalized graduate admissions introduced them to programs they had not previously considered and that they were happy to see their hard work as undergraduates recognized by their institution. Most students complete their undergraduate degrees with celebration and excitement for the next step in their journey. For those continuing their education in graduate school, automatic admission provides valuable options for their future.

Later topics in this series will include:

• What if graduate students could collaborate with their peers on research, earning degrees through team research?
• What if graduate students don’t just apply to one degree program but rather are also considered for one or more other master’s degrees?
• What if graduate students could engage with the Graduate College well beyond their time as students and influence the next generation of scholars and professionals?

Elizabeth Wentz
Vice Provost and Dean
Graduate College