Monday, September 29, 2008
This year’s record-breaking enrollment at the University of Kansas has its roots in the quality of education the University offers, not last year’s athletic successes, officials at the University say.
The University saw enrollment jump to 30,102 from 29,260 last year, a 2.9 percent increase. This is the largest percent increase the University has seen on a year-to-year basis.
In a press release posted on the University’s Web site, Chancellor Robert Hemenway credited the University’s “high-quality education” as the reason for this influx.
Big 12 figures
Iowa State
26,160
ACT score: 24.5
Minority: 8.6 percent
Kansas State
23,520
ACT score: 23.8
Minority: 21.6 percent
University of Colorado
28,624
ACT score: 26
Minorty: 16 percent
University of Missouri
29,761
ACT score: 25.5
Minority: 8 percent
University of Nebraska
23,573
ACT score : 24
Minority: 11.4 percent
University of Oklahoma
29,721
ACT score: 25.6
Minority: 23.8 percent
U.S. News and World Report places the University at No. 40 on its list of top public national universities, tied with Big 12 schools Iowa State and Nebraska.
More than 70 percent of incoming freshmen listed the University’s academic reputation as the main reason they chose to enroll, according to a survey given at freshman orientations during the summer.
The average ACT score for incoming freshmen is also at its highest this year, with scores increasing from 24.6 in 2007 to 24.8 this year. The national average score is 22.
In addition to KU’s academic standing, the new four-year tuition compact, enacted in Fall 2007, has also contributed to drawing more students, said Heidi Simon, associate director for the Office of Admissions and Scholarships.
“The value of knowing exactly what you’re going to pay for four years is really helpful to families,” Simon said.
The University has its most diverse student body ever this year.
Minority enrollment increased 19.3 percent since 2007, with 12.7 percent of the 4,483 freshmen identifying themselves as Hispanic American, Native American, African American or Asian American.
Simon attributes this increase to changes in recruiting tactics.
“We are very specific and strategic in the way we recruit,” Simon said “We try to do things a little differently to show that we can provide a diverse and open environment.”
Recruiters spread their resources out more broadly this year, venturing to geographic areas they had never visited before, Simon said.
One theory for increased enrollment that Simon said should be put to rest was that last year’s Orange Bowl and National Championship victories had influenced the increase in student enrollment.
“The proof is in the numbers,” she said. “Our application numbers were way up last September before any of the wins happened.”
She said that at least 70 percent of applications were received before the Orange Bowl, and that there was no significant spike in admissions requests after the two wins.
“While I think certainly having that publicity doesn’t hurt, we probably won’t see if it had any effect until next year,” she said.
Academic success has been proved throughout the years. In the University’s 142-year history, it has churned out 12 Pulitzer Prize winners and one Nobel Prize laureate, as well as hundreds of awards given to specific schools, students and faculty. Simon said that this was the kind of academic prestige and success that drew in a large percentage of the enrollment.
— — Edited by Adam Mowder
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