Littleton schools, Colorado Mesa launch GPA-based guaranteed admission pathway

Littleton Public Schools students can now apply to Colorado Mesa University with guaranteed admission at most GPA levels and no application fee under a new partnership between the two institutions.

LPS and CMU signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, Oct. 20, creating a tiered admission pipeline based on GPA, according to a district announcement. Students who submit applications by Nov. 1 will receive an admissions decision by mid-November.

The Littleton Independent reported that students graduating with a weighted or unweighted GPA of 3.2 or higher qualify for guaranteed admission and a scholarship, while those with a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA qualify for guaranteed admission.

Students with GPAs of 2.5 to below 3.0 may receive guaranteed admission or admission with support, while those below 2.5 will receive a holistic review and may be recommended for an alternative transfer pathway.

Application fees are automatically waived for all LPS students applying to CMU.

The partnership also includes dedicated CMU admissions staff assigned to LPS high schools for application workshops, campus visits and financial aid guidance, according to CMU's announcement.

LPS Superintendent Dr. Todd Lambert and CMU Senior Vice President for Student Services Roberto Montoya signed the agreement at a ceremony at LPS's EPIC Campus on Oct. 20. CMU President John Marshall said in a statement that the partnership was "just another example of breaking down barriers that may hold students back from pursuing higher education."

The Littleton Independent reported that LPS board member Lindley McCrary helped spark the partnership after hearing graduates praise their experiences at CMU. Lambert said the university's approach to students aligned with the district's values.

"As we looked at Mesa, the way they treated the kids, the way the kids came out, and the way they spoke about it, and the fact that they saw every kid for who they are, we want a partner like that," Lambert told the Littleton Independent.

Montoya told the Littleton Independent that CMU is the only institution in Colorado with an embedded two-year career and technical education program, known as CTE, meaning students can pursue technical credentials alongside a traditional college experience. He added that half of CMU's students are first-generation college students.

LPS student Jordyn Suazo, who plans to study education at CMU, told the Littleton Independent the partnership eased her anxiety about applying.