[Click here for a high resolution photo of Doug Christiansen]
Students seeking admission to Vanderbilt University’s fall 2008 freshman class rose 30 percent in one year, far exceeding past undergraduate application records.
The university saw a comparable increase among diverse populations as well as rises in all geographic regions, with the largest increases coming from outside the region, Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions Douglas Christiansen said.
Particularly encouraging is the academic talent of those seeking admission, he said. “This is the most diverse, well-rounded and academically prepared applicant pool in Vanderbilt’s history. Every measure of academic quality is up – standardized tests, class ranking, high school GPA, and number taking Advance Placement, International Baccalaureate and honors courses.”
In addition, a greater number of applicants have held senior leadership roles in their schools, regionally and nationally, Christiansen said. “We have received applications from students who have excelled in the classroom as well as in music, sports, theatre, community work and other areas.”
Vanderbilt has seen a steady rise in its applications in recent years, with a 50.4 percent increase from 2004 to 2008. However, this year a record of approximately 16,800 students applied compared to 12,911 in 2007 – a 30 percent increase.
The number of minority applicants increased almost as much – 28.7 percent – with the largest increase coming among Hispanics at 34 percent, followed by Asians at 29 percent, African Americans at 24 percent and American Indians at 17 percent.
Christiansen said the university has made a concerted effort in its recruitment programming and strategy to reach out to under-represented groups as well as students from throughout the world.
By geographic region, the school recorded applicant increases of 46.9 percent from the Mid-Atlantic states, 44.4 percent from New England, 44.1 from the Midwest, 37.6 from the West and 25.6 from the Southwest. Applicants from other countries and from U.S. territories rose 76 percent from 653 to 1,168.
“Clearly the dramatic increase in students’ interest in coming to Vanderbilt is a reflection of the trajectory we, as a university, are on – our faculty are internationally renown, our reputation is growing as a welcoming environment, and our varied and innovative learning opportunities both within and outside the classroom are being recognized,” Christiansen said.
The university’s early decision applications for 2008 were up significantly as well.
The 1,550 members of the freshman class of 2008 will be the first to be a part of The Commons, Vanderbilt’s new program that will house all first-year students on a newly constructed section of campus and will incorporate new social and educational experiences.
Media contact: Elizabeth Latt, (615) 322-NEWS
Elizabeth.p.latt@vanderbilt.edu