Eastern Michigan University partners with Early College Alliance for direct admission initiative
The partnership will provide a direct admission pathway for students that removes common barriers to higher education, like application fees.
Eastern Michigan University has partnered with Early College Alliance via ECA@EMU for a direct admission initiative that will streamline the college application and admission process for students who wish to attend the university. ECA@EMU is an early and middle college program that takes place on the university campus, and this partnership will make it simpler for participating eligible students to continue their education.
According to an article on Eastern Michigan University’s website, Brendan Kelly, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “Programs like this redefine what’s possible for high school students. By earning real college credits on our campus at no cost, students in the ECA@EMU Early College Program aren’t just preparing for the future – they’re already living it. This partnership creates an accelerated, supportive pathway into higher education for young people who have already challenged themselves academically and are ready to take the next step with confidence.”
ECA@EMU is a program that allows high schoolers to earn up to 60 college credits for free while still attending high school. The program is available to students in Washtenaw County or contiguous counties to Washtenaw County. Through this new partnership, ECA@EMU students who meet Eastern Michigan University’s admissions criteria will receive a direct admissions invitation that will streamline the process and waive application fees.
LaJoyce Brown, Ed.D, who serves as the director of admissions at Eastern Michigan University, said, “As an early/middle college program located on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, the Early College Alliance already provides students with a strong foundation for academic success. Through this direct admission partnership, we are proud to create a streamlined admission application pathway for ECA students to continue their education at EMU and complete their college degree, truly finishing what they started at EMU.”
According to the website for ECA@EMU, the program is “a unique educational program designed to fully immerse high school students into the postsecondary learning environment” and “bridges the gap between high school and college/career readiness with an emphasis on increasing college graduation rates.” The participating school districts provide funding to the program, so ECA@EMU students receive free tuition and books for the program.
Ellen Fischer, who serves as the principal of ECA@EMU, said, “This partnership creates new opportunities for our students by making the path to completing their bachelor’s degrees more direct, transparent and supportive. We are proud to work alongside Eastern Michigan University to ensure students feel encouraged, prepared and empowered to continue the college journey they began while still in high school.”
Through this new partnership, ECA@EMU will identify eligible students to EMU staff, and these students will be sent direct admissions invitations.
Katie Condon, the university’s vice president for enrollment management, said, "Eastern Michigan University has long been a strong destination for Early College Alliance students, and this new direct admission partnership builds on an already successful pathway. ECA students arrive at EMU prepared to succeed, and this partnership will make the transition even more seamless.”
For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the school’s website.