The deadline for Connecticut’s Automatic Admissions Program is quickly approaching and state leaders are encouraging graduating high school seniors to apply.
Seniors who are graduating next spring have until January 4 to apply for the program. It grants eligible seniors automatic admission to nine colleges and universities in Connecticut. The students must be in the top 30% of their class to qualify for the program.
Participating schools include Central and Eastern Connecticut State University, University of New Haven and Goodwin University.
Gov. Ned Lamont was joined by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and local university representatives Tuesday to encourage New Britain High School students to apply.
The program is designed to make it easier for students to apply to local colleges. It was also created to encourage low-income and potential first-generation college students to earn higher degrees, Lamont said.
“It can be, sometimes, a little tricky applying to college and we’re trying to take all the hassle, all those speed bumps out of the way,” Lamont said. “I want you to know exactly what your opportunities are now.”
Emily Rodriguez, a senior at New Britain High School, applied for the program in October after receiving a letter of eligibility from the school. She said the process was easy and validated her hard work during the last four years.
“Knowing that I am going to Central Connecticut State University in the fall of 2024 because of this program that made it much simpler is a really great feeling,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez plans to major in education and pursue a career in teaching.
Last year when the program was first implemented there were 1,600 applicants, according to Connecticut State Colleges and Universities chancellor Terrence Cheng. This year more than 2,300 students have applied, and the state anticipates the number will rise to about 3,000 applicants by the January 4 deadline.
In the upcoming legislative session, Cheng is hoping to tweak the program by focusing admission on Grade Point Average rather than class rank, allowing more students to qualify.
