Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊpən ɐdmˈɪʃən] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "open admission" is /ˈoʊpən ədˈmɪʃən/. The first syllable "open" is pronounced as /ˈoʊpən/ with a long "o" sound and a short "e" sound. The second syllable "admission" is pronounced as /ədˈmɪʃən/ with a schwa sound followed by "d", "m", "i", "sh" and "ən". This phrase refers to a college's policy of accepting all applicants regardless of their academic achievements or qualifications.
Open admission refers to a policy or practice followed, primarily by educational institutions such as colleges and universities, by which they admit all or most applicants regardless of their academic qualifications or achievements. Open admission is in contrast to selective or competitive admission, where institutions set specific criteria and only admit applicants who meet those standards.
Under an open admission policy, institutions accept candidates regardless of their high school grades, standardized test scores, or other academic measures. This approach aims to provide access to education for a wide range of individuals, including those who might not have excelled in traditional educational settings. Open admission can be especially beneficial for adult learners, individuals with non-traditional educational backgrounds, or those seeking to pursue education later in life.
While open admission offers equitable opportunities to individuals, it can also present challenges. With a diverse student body, academic support resources may be stretched thin, emphasizing the importance of providing additional resources such as tutoring or academic assistance. Open admission institutions often emphasize student success programs and personalized support to ensure that students have the necessary tools and resources to succeed academically.
Open admission policies can vary across institutions, with some schools having limited capacity and accepting students on a first-come, first-serve basis until they reach capacity. These policies are often found in community colleges, technical schools, and some university extension programs.
The word "open" comes from the Old English word "open", which means "not shut, not closed". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "upana", meaning "open, not closed". It shares a common root with other Germanic languages, such as German "offen" and Dutch "open".
The word "admission" comes from the Latin word "admissiō", which is derived from the verb "admittere", meaning "to let in, to admit". "Admittere" is a combination of the prefix "ad-" meaning "to" or "towards", and "mittere" meaning "to send". It also has connections with the English word "admit".
When these two words are combined, "open admission" refers to a policy or practice of allowing anyone to be admitted, particularly in the context of educational institutions.
