SU welcomes strong, diverse freshman class

SU welcomes strong, diverse freshman classAugust 23, 2006Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

This August, Syracuse University will welcome one of its strongest and most diverse first-year classes in recent years. A total of 3,095 admitted students have accepted the invitation to study in SU’s nine undergraduate schools and colleges, which is a slightly smaller first-year class–4.7% less– than in 2005, intentionally planned to help alleviate the stress on student housing experienced last year. The mean grade point average for the incoming cohort is 3.6, compared to 3.5 in 2005.

Of particular note is the second straight year of increases in historically underrepresented students, who represent 28% of the first-year class this year, compared to 24% last year and 18% in 2004. Of special significance is the Native American population increase, with the number of first-year students doubling from last year. Also of note is an increase in enrolled students living in Puerto Rico–from 17 to 40 in one year. This has been an area, along with South America, that the Office of Admissions has been developing for almost a decade.

“We have seen the results of the University’s growing international reputation in many parts of the world,” says Susan Donovan, dean of admissions. “Our visibility, coupled with the excellent work of alumni networks, has contributed to a more geographically diverse student body.”

There was also a planned increase in the enrollment of students in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). ECS will welcome 110 more first-year students–a 42% increase in enrollment–compared to 2005. Also in ECS, the enrollment of females has risen significantly, from 48 to 81, an increase of 69%.

The entering international student population will be slightly increased from last year–up 6%– with 65% of SU’s international students coming from Asia, followed by 15% from Canada. One hundred and ten new international first-year students will arrive on campus this fall.