Freshman Class Larger and More Diverse
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2008) – More students than ever applied
for admission to the University of Kentucky this year and the school is experiencing a record
number of minority students in its 2008 freshman class.
According to preliminary figures, UK's 2008-2009 freshman class is 4,044 students, up from 3,865 last year. This brings the preliminary undergraduate enrollment to 18,995 and overall enrollment to 26,901 this fall.
Minority enrollment increased significantly with African-American enrollment reaching an all time high of 341 in the freshman class, a 32 percent increase over last year. Hispanic enrollment is at 61 this year, a 39 percent increase.
Quality of the freshman class continued to improve with the average ACT score increasing from 24.3 last year to 24.4 this year and the average GPA jumping from 3.48 in 2007 to 3.52 this year. The number of Governor's Scholars and Governor's Performing Arts Scholars hit a record high of 389 in UK's freshman class compared to 348 last year. National Merit Scholars are up by four to 32 this year and the number of National Achievement Scholars increased to two.
"I am extremely pleased with the diversity and quality of this year's freshman class," said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. "Increasing our freshman African-American enrollment by one-third is an important stride in meeting our diversity goals. And having increased the average ACT score while increasing the number of students in the freshman class over last year is a testament to our faculty and admissions staff's ability to attract the best and brightest students."
UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy attributed the increase in African-American enrollment to the success of African-American students already enrolled at UK. "When high school students see their peers staying at the University of Kentucky and thriving in their academic programs here, they realize UK is a place where they, too, can succeed."
Subbaswamy also noted that not only are UK enrollment numbers up in many categories, but first-year student retention from 2007 to 2008 is up as well. Based on a preliminary analysis, retention of last year's freshmen who returned to UK this year should be 81 percent, a record high.
UK saw a record number of undergraduate applications this year, 11,120, up 4.7 percent from last year and the first time applications have topped the 11,000 mark. "In addition to an overall downturn in the economy usually resulting in more college applications, this increase also reflects a more aggressive approach we've taken with recruitment," said Don Witt, assistant provost for enrollment management. "We worked with counselors and stressed applying early as well as communicating directly with students through targeted e-mails and other mailings."
Transfer student enrollment increased by nearly 100 students this year to 940. Graduate enrollment held steady this fall with 5,783 students enrolled in the graduate and graduate professional programs as compared to 5,771 last year.
"We are seeing a higher enrollment in the graduate professional programs of nursing, public health and physical therapy," said Jeannine Blackwell, dean of The Graduate School. "Doctorates in agriculture, fine arts, health sciences, and pharmacy are attracting more students."
According to preliminary figures, UK's 2008-2009 freshman class is 4,044 students, up from 3,865 last year. This brings the preliminary undergraduate enrollment to 18,995 and overall enrollment to 26,901 this fall.
Minority enrollment increased significantly with African-American enrollment reaching an all time high of 341 in the freshman class, a 32 percent increase over last year. Hispanic enrollment is at 61 this year, a 39 percent increase.
Quality of the freshman class continued to improve with the average ACT score increasing from 24.3 last year to 24.4 this year and the average GPA jumping from 3.48 in 2007 to 3.52 this year. The number of Governor's Scholars and Governor's Performing Arts Scholars hit a record high of 389 in UK's freshman class compared to 348 last year. National Merit Scholars are up by four to 32 this year and the number of National Achievement Scholars increased to two.
"I am extremely pleased with the diversity and quality of this year's freshman class," said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. "Increasing our freshman African-American enrollment by one-third is an important stride in meeting our diversity goals. And having increased the average ACT score while increasing the number of students in the freshman class over last year is a testament to our faculty and admissions staff's ability to attract the best and brightest students."
UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy attributed the increase in African-American enrollment to the success of African-American students already enrolled at UK. "When high school students see their peers staying at the University of Kentucky and thriving in their academic programs here, they realize UK is a place where they, too, can succeed."
Subbaswamy also noted that not only are UK enrollment numbers up in many categories, but first-year student retention from 2007 to 2008 is up as well. Based on a preliminary analysis, retention of last year's freshmen who returned to UK this year should be 81 percent, a record high.
UK saw a record number of undergraduate applications this year, 11,120, up 4.7 percent from last year and the first time applications have topped the 11,000 mark. "In addition to an overall downturn in the economy usually resulting in more college applications, this increase also reflects a more aggressive approach we've taken with recruitment," said Don Witt, assistant provost for enrollment management. "We worked with counselors and stressed applying early as well as communicating directly with students through targeted e-mails and other mailings."
Transfer student enrollment increased by nearly 100 students this year to 940. Graduate enrollment held steady this fall with 5,783 students enrolled in the graduate and graduate professional programs as compared to 5,771 last year.
"We are seeing a higher enrollment in the graduate professional programs of nursing, public health and physical therapy," said Jeannine Blackwell, dean of The Graduate School. "Doctorates in agriculture, fine arts, health sciences, and pharmacy are attracting more students."