Oakland University joins statewide initiative offering Michigan students a new path to college admission

Michigan high school seniors will have a new way to explore their college options this fall, with Oakland University among 18 institutions participating in MI College Match, a statewide direct admission program designed to make the college-going process more accessible.

Launching Aug. 26, MI College Match allows participating Michigan high school students to create a profile highlighting their academic achievements, interests and college preferences. Participating colleges and universities can then use that information to identify students who may be a good fit and extend admission and scholarship opportunities — without requiring students to complete a traditional college application.

The initiative is a partnership between the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and education company EAB and is part of the statewide College Bound Michigan campaign. The program is designed to help more students discover opportunities at Michigan colleges and universities and see themselves as college-bound.

For students, the process is designed to be straightforward: There are no application fees, essays or letters of recommendation required to create a Match profile, and students do not receive rejection notices through the platform. Instead, they can review admission offers from participating institutions and decide which colleges they would like to explore further.

Oakland’s participation provides another opportunity for Michigan students to discover the university as a potential destination for their college education.

"I am thrilled that Oakland University is participating in MI College Match, and that we will be helping to expand access to higher education for students across Michigan,” said Shane Lewis, director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oakland University. “This innovative program gives OU an exciting opportunity to connect with students earlier in their college journey, introduce them to the countless opportunities at our institution, while also making the path to college feel more accessible and attainable. We're proud to partner with the Michigan College Access Network and other Michigan institutions in creating more pathways for students to achieve their college goals.”

The MI College Match platform will open to students Aug. 26. Students who complete their profiles by Sept. 21 will be eligible for the first release of direct admission offers on Oct. 5. Students may still create profiles after the Sept. 21 deadline, with participating institutions continuing to send offers on a regular basis.

MI College Match is being embedded in more than 350 Michigan high schools through College Bound Michigan, giving high school counselors and educators an additional tool to help students navigate their college options.

The statewide initiative aligns with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal of increasing the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary degree or credential. MCAN and EAB launched the program with 18 participating Michigan institutions, including Oakland University.

For Oakland, participation in MI College Match represents another way to connect with prospective students and introduce them to the university’s academic programs, campus community and opportunities for success.

Students and families can learn more about MI College Match and create a profile beginning Aug. 26 at micollegematch.com.