MPS high school juniors: Apply to select Wisconsin colleges through one free application

Does applying to college seem complicated? High school juniors attending any Milwaukee Public School (MPS) school can apply to Milwaukee’s two largest colleges and participating Universities of Wisconsin in less than five minutes at no cost. By applying now, students will begin their journey to start college in Fall 2026.

Milwaukee Direct Admit is an initiative of the M3 (pronounced M-Cubed) partnership, a collaboration among Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), and the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee (UWM). This partnership works to transform the future of Milwaukee through education.

The opening of this year’s application window was announced by the M3 partnership during a press conference on November 19, 2024, at MacDowell Montessori School. Students have until May 1, 2025, to complete their applications.

Through this streamlined online application, Milwaukee Direct Admit connects a student’s MPS transcript directly to the schools of their choice. The application is free and does not require attachments, an essay, or letters of recommendation. This method will help students— especially first-generation college applicants—have better access to opportunities after graduation.

A student or family member will fill out a simple online form that needs only the student’s name and MPS student ID number. The applicant can choose to apply to MATC or UWM or both; in addition, students can select the Direct Admit Wisconsin option to apply to an additional nine UW schools.

Milwaukee Direct Admit is designed to take the stress out of applying for college. Students who apply to MATC and/or UWM are guaranteed acceptance to at least one of these schools.

Students who apply to MATC and/or UWM will hear back from their selected schools in about one month. All students who apply through Direct Admit were notified of acceptance by September, 2024. Students are not locked in to attend any school that accepts them. Accepted candidates must officially accept their offer and complete forms required by the school they choose to attend. Enrollment at any of the colleges depends upon the student successfully graduating from high school in spring or summer of their senior year.

The application is open now—deadline is May 1, 2025.

Families who have questions or need help can visit mpsmke.com/directadmit. Students can also contact their school counselor or College and Career Center staff.