South Dakota Board of Regents Fast Track Admission Pilot Program

Program Description: 

South Dakota’s Fast Track admissions program is a pilot direct-admissions program targeting high school students in South Dakota. This pilot program is currently available to students from Abderdeen, Sioux Falls, and Spearfish South Dakota.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements are automatically guaranteed admissions at any of eight South Dakota universities, and are notified of which universities they qualify for. This helps remove some of the stress from the college admissions’ process, and encourages students who might not be aware that they could qualify for college to attend. They then select universities that they are interested in on their Fast Track Activation Form when applying for high school dual enrollment coursework. This serves in place of their college application, and they will be automatically admitted to the universities that they select.

In Spring of 2026, this program will expand to include all Junior high school students applying for dual enrolment statewide. Students do not need to manage multiple application portals or pay application fees to the participating schools. 

Impact:

Direct admissions programs have been shown to close equity gaps in postsecondary education access by encouraging students who might not otherwise pursue college to apply. Waiving application fees also helps remove barriers to college admissions. By integrating the application process with a form students are already filling out, many students who did not intend to attend college are given the opportunity to be admitted. 

Population Served: 

Rising juniors at South Dakota area high schools. 

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026