Buffalo State Partners with Common App’s Direct Admissions Program, Expands Opportunity for First-Generation and Low- and Middle-Income Students

Buffalo State University has once again joined Common App’s direct admissions program, which launched earlier this month, and provides first-generation and low- and middle-income students who are interested in college with proactive admissions offers directly in the application. The program also includes outreach and resources to families, and to counselors who have students receiving a direct admissions offer. 

Buffalo State was the only SUNY institution selected for participation in the Common App’s Direct Admissions Program. 

“We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Common App on the direct admissions initiative,” said David Loreto, Buffalo State executive director of admissions. “This program is dedicated to ensuring that students have equitable access to higher education, reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility and transforming lives through education.”

Common App has piloted a direct admissions program since 2021, offering admission to students who created a Common App account and provided enough academic information, but had not yet completed all their open applications. The organization launched its full-scale program last year, offering over 400,000 first-generation and low-income students direct admissions to 71 colleges and universities. Results showed that three out of four students who added a school to their college list upon receiving a direct admission offer then applied to that school.

“We are delighted to participate in innovative efforts like the Common App Direct Admissions Program that produce such promising results,” said Buffalo State University Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D. “I applaud our Enrollment Management team’s efforts on this collaboration with Common App, whose mission of equity in the admissions process reflects our values at Buffalo State University.”

Last year, Buffalo State was part of Common App’s pilot program, which allowed proactive offers within New York State. Of the qualifying students provided to Buffalo State by Common App, 2,688 added Buffalo State to their list, 1,995 were ultimately admitted, and 172 enrolled (22 of them in the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program). 

Loreto said Buffalo State Undergraduate Admissions saw an overall 14.4 percent increase in applications for the 2024–2025 academic year: 292 more transfer and 2,292 more first-time freshman applicants, leading to an uptick in the number of on-campus students and the second-largest honors cohort in Buffalo State’s history. This year, the partnership has expanded to allow offers to students in all U.S. states and territories.

“We are excited for Buffalo State University to join our direct admissions program, where even more students will now know that they are worthy and wanted on a college campus,” said Jenny Rickard, president and CEO of Common App. “Overall, direct admissions is about changing the narrative of a college education from one of scarcity to one of opportunity, by ensuring students know that they are worthy and welcome on a college campus.” 

About Common App 
Common App is a not-for-profit member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year, more than 1 million students apply to college through the Common App’s online application. In January 2019, the Common App united with Reach Higher, the college access and success campaign started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House. By joining forces, Common App and Reach Higher accelerated progress toward a joint goal of supporting all students, especially low-income and first-generation students, in achieving their higher education dreams.