UConn Guarantees Admission To Community College Grads

Graduates of Connecticut’s community colleges who earn an associate’s degree with at least a B average will be guaranteed admission to the University of Connecticut through a new program announced this week.

The Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) will provide Connecticut’s community college students with admission to any UConn campus — Storrs, Avery Point, Greater Hartford, Torrington, Waterbury, or Stamford — provided they complete an associate’s degree and have at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average in a liberal arts or other approved major, including horticulture, veterinary technician, and environmental engineering technology.

The GAP agreement was signed November 15 during a press conference at Manchester Community College by Michael J. Hogan, president of the University of Connecticut, and Marc S. Herzog, chancellor of the community college system.

“Connecticut’s investments in all of its systems of higher learning are paying dividends by helping to create our highly skilled workforce,” Governor M. Jodi Rell said. “Community colleges provide unique, affordable college opportunities to thousands of students throughout our state. Our community college system is second to none because we understand the importance of investing in our citizens’ futures. The GAP program rewards student achievement by offering an opportunity for students to complete a degree at our state’s flagship institution, the University of Connecticut. These students will have the chance to attain a bachelor’s degree at UConn, New England’s top public university, and enter the professional workforce as a major contributor to the state’s economy.”

Students admitted to UConn can select from more than 50 majors offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“This agreement will prove very beneficial to Connecticut students, the community colleges and the University of Connecticut, and the state of Connecticut,” said Mr Hogan. “It’s a win-win-win situation. I’m looking forward to working with Marc Herzog and our community colleges as we open opportunities to four-year degrees to more of our young people, who in turn will become contributors to Connecticut’s economic future.”

The program follows the success of a pilot program that enabled students from three community colleges — Three Rivers, Manchester, and Quinebaug Valley — to enroll in liberal arts programs at UConn’s Storrs campus. Since the start of the pilot program in 2004, the GAP has grown to 140 students enrolled at community colleges and 18 students enrolled at UConn.

The new agreement extends the program to all 12 community colleges and all six UConn campuses. “This agreement represents a major expansion of opportunity for community college students. Each year the open doors of community colleges offer thousands of students access to the many opportunities provided by higher education — academic success, personal development, improved earning potential and career advancement, and a better life for themselves, their families, and the communities in which they live,” said Mr Herzog.

“We’re very grateful to the university, its leaders, the leaders of our ‘pioneer’ colleges, and all the academic leaders who developed, implemented, fine tuned, and expanded the agreement beyond its beginnings in 2004,” Mr. Herzog said. “These leaders pointed the way and now the door to opportunity has been opened for the benefit of all Connecticut’s students who will enjoy a streamlined transfer process and extensive support services as they pursue their dreams of academic achievement.”

The community colleges and UConn will share information about students in the program, including their progress at the community colleges and their success at the university.

UConn advisors will begin meeting with the students while they still are enrolled at the community colleges.

Students who do not participate in the GAP may still be eligible to transfer to UConn through competitive transfer process.