The University of Houston-Downtown has a six-year graduation rate of 15 percent, but it wants to boost completion rates.
It plans to do this by only automatically admitting first-time college students in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.
Students who fall in the top 26 to 50 percent of their class would be automatically admitted if their SAT or ACT scores meet a minimum requirement.
Students who graduate in the bottom 51 percent of their class would require an individual review for admission. Testing and assessments would be used to determine college readiness, and students would meet with an academic advisor to develop an individualized success plan. Joint admission with a local community college would be available to these students.
The UH System Board of Regents must approve the changes before they can take effect next year.
