Wingate, NC — More than 60,000 high school seniors across North Carolina will start receiving college acceptance letters next week without having to submit applications, thanks to a new statewide initiative designed to boost college enrollment.
How College Connect Works
The College Connect program automatically admits eligible public school students to participating universities based on their high school transcripts. To qualify, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and meet other academic requirements.
Wingate University is among dozens of North Carolina colleges taking part. University President Rhett Brown said the program is designed to remove barriers that often keep students from pursuing higher education.
“We know a lot about students based on their high school performance,” Brown told WCNC. “When we have that transcript, when we have that information, we know enough to make a decision about them. So, we’re just trying to decrease the friction and make the pathway as easy as possible.”
Breaking Down Barriers to College
Brown, who was the first in his family to attend college, said helping qualified students understand their options is a personal mission.
“I know firsthand the impact it can have, and it’s wonderful to play a small part in paying that forward,” he said.
Eligible students can visit the College Connect website to see:
- A personalized list of participating colleges and universities
- Details on next steps for enrollment at each institution
A Boost for First-Generation Students
Allison Quinn, a current Wingate University student, believes the program will be especially valuable for students from families without a college background.
“I think it’s a very good opportunity for kids who may not have the resources or may not have somebody who’s been to college before and may not know that process,” Quinn said.
Letters Begin Arriving Next Week
Acceptance letters will be mailed to qualifying students starting next week, marking what officials say could be a life-changing moment.
Sneha Shah-Coltrane, senior director for Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, emphasized the program’s impact:
“This letter is going to change their trajectory. It is saying, ‘No, we see you, we see you for the work that you’ve already put in, and we want you to come to us and continue to grow and to pursue your passion and your future plans.’”
What are your thoughts on North Carolina’s College Connect program? Let us know in the comments.
