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Many North Texas seniors receive automatic college admission to UNT Dallas

Some Dallas and DeSoto schools are partnering with the university to keep students on track for higher education.

Sunset High School senior Sebastian Ruiz Trujillano plans to be first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree thanks to a new automatic admissions program at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

The teen wants to major in computer science, eventually get his Ph.D. and run his own company one day. Knowing he already has a spot at the school made him less worried about the college application process. He hopes classmates take advantage of the program as well.

“This is your opportunity,” he said. “This is something that’s for you, and you can’t miss it. It’s an extraordinary gift.”

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Graduating seniors at more than 10 Dallas-area high schools have automatic, conditional admission to UNT-Dallas through the new partnership that’s rolling out over the coming weeks.

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So far, Dallas ISD’s Sunset, Gilliam Collegiate Academy, Carter and Kimball high schools are part of the program along with DeSoto High School. In Dallas County, just 33% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to 2022 Census data.

The partnership, known as Trailblazer Express, will break barriers for students when it comes to the application process, said Jesus Martinez, principal at Sunset High School.

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“Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle that our community faces is not knowing how to start the process … since most of our students are first generation,” Martinez said.

Participating schools will keep track of seniors as they near graduation and provide UNT-Dallas with contact information. UNT-Dallas officials will then provide those students with a “quick link” to apply.

“It’s not old school where you have to fill out a whole application and go through that process,” Martinez said. “It’s kind of an abbreviated process.”

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Students will receive their conditional acceptance letters by March 1. If they follow the guidelines, they will be eligible for several priority scholarship deadlines, said Jose da Silva, interim vice president of student access and success at UNT-Dallas.

“There weren’t a whole lot of resources to help me as a first-generation college student to navigate it,” he said. “As I reflect on my experiences, I want to make sure that I eliminate barriers that I experienced way back then.”

About 80 to 100 of this year’s 500 graduates at Sunset High School may take advantage of the program, Martinez said.

The program gives students a chance at being able to provide for their families in the future. Usamah Rodgers, superintendent of DeSoto schools, said during a recent presentation on the program.

“Today’s announcement ensures that 100% of you have a fighting chance at making a family-sustaining wage so that you can access what it is you want to have in life — choices and options,” said Rodgers, according to a district news release.

UNT-Dallas, which is located in the southern part of the city, is nationally ranked for the help it provides students to increase their socioeconomic status, da Silva said. The university has also been historically ranked for lowest debt held by graduates.

This program is more than just an acceptance letter, officials said.

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UNT-Dallas will give students in the program frequent one-on-one counseling to support them through the process.

“It’s a little bit deeper than just saying you’re admitted,” Martinez said. “Let’s get them through the finish line.”

Many Sunset High School parents have had questions about the cost and logistics of the program, Martinez noted. Students will be eligible for all scholarships and aid just like other applicants to the university, da Silva said.

Trujillano said the program will motivate other students to take control of their future.

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“Some students need the push. That last push helps them go on and go to the college they’re dreaming of,” he said.

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The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.