On Friday, the Utah System of Higher Education launched a broad-based program called Admit Utah. It’s being hailed as the state’s first simplified and guaranteed admissions initiative programmed with access for all students in mind, according to a press release from USHE.

The program promises graduating Utah seniors guaranteed admission into one of the state’s 16 public colleges and universities regardless of their GPA.

Applicants will be prompted to enter their GPA as some institutions may have specific requirements.

Students will be advised of their results via Admit Utah and a list of colleges the student is admitted to.

The launch comes during Utah College Application and Financial Aid Awareness Month, which is observed in October. AdmitUtah.org will give seniors real-time admissions updates and guidance on completing their applications during October and beyond, the release stated.

“This platform will provide students with even more clarity and simplicity in the college application process, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations with confidence,” said Cydni Tetro, Utah Board of Higher Education member, in the release.

For students who are native to Utah County or from nearby areas, they could explore admission into at least two nearby institutions of higher education: Mountainland Technical College (also called MTECH) and Utah Valley University.

Since Brigham Young University is a private university, it is not an option in the Admit Utah program.

Leaders at MTECH appear excited about the new initiative from the state.

“At Mountainland Technical College, we value access to higher education for all students interested in developing the skills and knowledge needed to compete in an increasingly technical and global marketplace,” said Joseph Demma, student affairs vice president at MTECH, in an email. “Initiatives like AdmitUtah.org help high school students understand that whatever their education or career goals, our system has a place where they can thrive.”

Demma says MTECH has always been an institution that welcomes a diverse range of students, though there are instances where space for a desired course may be limited, due to actual physical space to hold classes or lack of resources to fund expansion.

“For the fall 2024 semester, we had to place over 500 students on a waitlist because 19 of our programs filled up so fast,” Demma noted.

Students at MTECH, with campuses spread throughout the county and in Heber City, have can choose from a variety of fields of study, from plumbing, electrical and heating/ventilation/air conditioning to health care, technology and cosmetology.

“We encourage students to connect with our team of admissions advisors who are standing by to help them navigate the admissions and enrollment process: mtec.edu/admissions-advisors,” Demma said.

UVU, like many other colleges and universities listed among the 16 participating in Admit Utah, has always offered open enrollment.

“We tell people to Come as you are, and we will design a learning plan for you,” spokesperson Scott Trotter told the Daily Herald in an email.

Tetro told KSL NewsRadio that although students have always had opportunities to attend these universities, they maybe didn’t know it.

The platform aims to take students and families through the admission process more seamlessly.

Three aspects of Admit Utah are guaranteed college admission, guidance for undecided students and the integration of college preparation across grades K-12.

“We firmly believe that every Utah student deserves the opportunity to succeed in college, and we are confident that ‘Admit Utah’ will be instrumental in making that a reality,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah’s commissioner of higher education, in the release.