What is an Open Admission Policy?

Dive into the magnanimous world of Open Admission Policy and know more about open admissions, its origin, importance, benefits, shortcomings, and more.

TCM Staff

16th October 2020

The Civil Rights Movement had pioneered the onset of a revolution in the educational methodology of the schools of the United States of America. The prominent voice of African Americans against racial discrimination not only served as a tool to conquer equal rights for them but had also incepted a movement to cater to the students who were unsuccessful in cracking acceptance to the highest GPA seeking colleges due to credential deficit. 

Open Admission Policy is a benevolent approach of the U.S Department of Education to propagate maximum literacy in the United States of America.

What is the Open Admission Policy?

For a considerable period of time, students have pondered on the query, "can you get into a college with a GED or the mere high school diploma?" The Open Admission Policy has presented a befitting answer to this.

Open-admission is the process of enrolling students into graduate schools who bear only a high school certification or a GED certificate, without the ornate advantage of SAT and ACT scores. Open Admissions Policy has pledged to anyone and everyone with a minimal high school degree who wishes to pursue college. 

When did Open Admissions originate?

Open admissions metamorphosed into a full crusade in the second semester of the 20th century. There was a meteoric rise in its endorsement in the early 1960s and 1970s. The preliminary motive behind the movement was to establish equal rights for the destitute in school.

The City University of New York was the first to institute the policy of open admissions into their admittance criterion. Their advocacy witnessed a sky-rocketing climb in the number of applicants, paving the way for the (otherwise) discriminated Hispanic and Black student demographic. In 1983, the CollegeBoard had initiated the National Hispanic Recognition Program to further nurture the Hispanic/Latino demographic of the country.

Open Admissions: A hyperbole

Colleges with open admission policies withhold a dictum to grant 100% admission to all their applicants. But in stark reality, a 100% admission rate does not conclude that students have access to all courses. The surplus number of college applications can result in many students thrown into waiting lists, though TheCollegeMonk has facilitated an array of tips for getting off the waitlist for these courses. This has been a burning topic of controversy in the present economic state of affairs where college assets and capital are dwindling. Some institutions regale only a subset of the population. For example, Wabash College is a single-gender(male) school. Boricua College is dominated by Latinos. Southern Nazarene University is a missionary educational institution.

Can school dropouts apply?

School dropouts have a chance to resume their careers, all thanks to the Open Admission Policy. Open Admission colleges are a safe haven for the students who had decided to abandon high school. The applicant either needs to obtain enough credits to qualify for a high school graduation certificate or take the GED.

Why are Open Admission Schools sought after?

The open admission policy is a revolutionary development in the field of education. Lately, it has been subjected to a growing market. Let us closely examine the basis of its popularity:

  • The easy admittance criteria of open admission schools offer the perk of not only extending education to all but also secures a comparatively easier regime for students to excel as the ‘gifted’ demographic is scarce in comparison to other schools.

  • Open admission colleges with relative marking systems also aid in boosting the grade point of the students, fastening their hold on getting accepted in the list of Ivy League schools and other prestigious Grad schools.

  • This entitles them to pursue jobs with high demanding credentials after college. The tuition fees for open admission colleges are quite affordable, which makes them a safe choice for many students.

  • It is a platform for a diversified college experience as people from all backgrounds share a common expanse to educate themselves. 

What are the Shortcomings of Open Admission Policy?

Just like the two sides of a coin, open-admission has its share of drawbacks, namely-

  • Open Admission Policy has witnessed a fair share of appreciation due to its altruism. However, despite its laudable contribution towards a harmonious and just social environment, Open Admission Policy has been subjected to the eyes of the critic who argues on its banes. 

  • The shrinking rate of graduation, eroding standards of education, increasing requirement of remedial tutoring are some of the many cons postulated against open admissions in colleges. 

  • The high level of diligence required to survive college education often leaves the students academically off the cuff resulting in colleges earning their funds from the unready students who might never really make through graduation. 

Where to Apply?

We have assembled a state-wise list of colleges with an open admission policy. All these institutions advocate 100% admission. There are also colleges that do not essentially heed to open admission but have a high acceptance rate. Now, does a low acceptance rate mean the school is better? Not necessarily. The acceptance rate only demonstrates the measurement of rarity.

Alabama

State

City

School

AL

Orange Beach

Columbia Southern University

AL

Florence

Heritage Christian University

California

State

City

School

CA

San Francisco

Academy of Art University

CA

San Diego

Coleman 

CA

San Dimas

Life Pacific College

CA

La Jolla

National University

CA

Fremont

Northwestern Polytechnic University

Connecticut

State

City

School

CT

Cromwell

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

District of Columbia

State

City

School

DC

Washington

University of the Potomac

Idaho

State

City

School

ID

Boise 

Boise Bible College

ID

Lewiston

Lewis-Clark State College

Kentucky

State

City

School

KY

Pikeville

University of Pikeville

Massachusetts

State

City

School

MA

Boston

Boston Architectural College

Maryland

State

City

School

MD

Adelphi

University of Maryland University College

Michigan

State

City

School

MI

Auburn Hills

Baker College of Auburn Hills

MI

Cadillac

Baker College of Cadillac

MI

Clinton Township

Baker College of Clinton Township

MI

Flint

Baker College of Flint

MI

Jackson

Baker College of Jackson

MI

Muskegon

Baker College of Muskegon

MI

Owosso

Baker College of Owosso

MI

Port Huron

Baker College of Port Huron

Minnesota

State

City

School

MN

St. Paul

Metropolitan State University

Missouri

State

City

School

MO

St. Joseph

Missouri Western State University

MO

St. Louis

Harris-Stowe State University

Nebraska

State

City

School

NE

Wayne

Wayne State College

New Hampshire

State

City

School

NH

Concord

Granite State College

New Mexico

State

City

School

NM

Las Vegas

New Mexico Highlands University

NM

Santa Fe

Santa Fe University of Art and Design

NM

Silver City

Western New Mexico University

New York

State

City

School

NY

Brooklyn

Medgar Evers College

 Ohio

State

City

School

OH

Ironton

Ohio University Southern

 Oklahoma

State

City

School

OK

Lawton

Cameron University

OK

Goodwell

Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Texas

State

City

School

TX

Arlington

Arlington Baptist College

TX

Fort Worth

Fisher More College

TX

El Paso

University of Texas at El Paso

TX

Hawkins

Jarvis Christian College

 Utah

State

City

School

UT

St. George

Dixie State College

UT

Orem

Utah Valley University

UT

Ogden

Weber State University

 Washington

State

City

School

WA

Bellevue

City University of Seattle

List of Top 10 schools with Open Admission Policy for 2020

Here are the top 10 schools with Open Admission Policy : 

Rank

Location

School

1

Grantsboro, NC

Pamlico Community College

2

Philadelphia, PA

Peirce College

3

Marianna, FL

Chipola College

4

Texas City, TX

College of the Mainland

5

Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College

6

Olney, IL

Olney Central College

7

Summit, MS

Southwest Mississippi Community College

8

Melbourne, AR

Ozarka College

9

Kansas City, MO

City Vision University

10

Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide

Open Admission Policy: A closure

Education is a need to not only earn yourself a livelihood but to also have an insight into how the world works and keep oneself at par with the rest of the population. 

Along with open admission colleges, you can also find a  college that does not require the GED or high-school-diploma in the US.

Open Admission Policy has sheltered the interests of so many and rendered a positive outcome for these people. The cons of this policy should not be instrumental in weighing us down, rather we are required to make a well-scrutinized decision based on their boons and banes for it is certain we can reach pinnacles through these schools with our sheer hard work and sincerity. 

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