Expanding excellence: UW-Eau Claire joins Direct Admit Wisconsin initiative to create new pathway for students

UW-Eau Claire becomes the 11th school in the Universities of Wisconsin to offer Direct Admit to students. UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Edwin Martini says the Blugold team is excited to begin offering new opportunities to thousands of students next summer.

“We are thrilled to expand the reach of excellence and introduce new students to UW-Eau Claire through Direct Admit Wisconsin next year,” Martini says. “The life-changing educational experience UW-Eau Claire has provided students for more than 100 years is something we want to share far and wide with students who might not otherwise have us on their radar. Direct Admit Wisconsin will open doors for students and create pathways and connections that don’t exist today.”

Martini joined Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter, Board of Regents President Kyle Weatherly and Eau Claire Area School District Superintendent Michael Johnson at a press conference on campus to announce that UW-Eau Claire is now part of the Direct Admit Wisconsin family.

When students receive Direct Admit acceptance letters from UW-Eau Claire in 2027, they will not have to complete a UW-Eau Claire application, an admissions essay or pay an application fee to become an enrolled student at the university. Direct Admit, which is available to students at 80% of the high schools in Wisconsin, creates a pathway for students and eliminates some of the existing hurdles that might affect a student’s decision to attend college.

UW-Eau Claire Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Billy Felz says his team has already begun to receive inquiries from students interested in UW-Eau Claire and the Direct Admit Wisconsin program.

“We have students and parents reaching out, which is a great sign,” Felz says. “We are reminding everyone that Direct Admit letters from UW-Eau Claire will be sent to students next summer as they are entering the fall semester of their senior year. The first students who will join us as Blugolds through Direct Admit will be in the fall of 2028.”

High school students from outside Wisconsin will continue to be required to complete a UW-Eau Claire admissions application, including the essay.

Martini says the decision to join Direct Admit aligns with UW-Eau Claire’s Vision 2030 strategic plan and is part of a holistic enrollment management strategy.

“Our long-term goal is to stabilize and strengthen our enrollment at UW-Eau Claire so we can continue to serve the community and help students achieve their educational and professional goals,” Martini says. “Direct Admit Wisconsin can be a first step for a student who is unsure about whether they belong at a university, and we are excited to begin reaching out to those students next summer.”