Vanderbilt University’s class of 2013 ranks as the school’s most academically prepared and most diverse class in school history, with the most competitive selection process. More than 19,353 students applied, up from 16,944 last year. Of the 1,599 students enrolled in the class, 86 percent came from the top 10 percent of their graduating class. A total of 167 were valedictorians or salutatorians, 187 National Merit Scholars and 12 National Achievement Scholars.
These students excelled in the most rigorous courses offered at their high schools, as evidenced by increased participation in AP, IB and honors classes. SAT scores also improved compared to last year’s class, with the middle 50 percent of enrolled students ranging between 1350 and 1520. This is up from last year’s SAT middle range of 1330 to 1500.
The total new freshmen minority enrollment is up by 24 percent over last year, with 432 students declaring themselves minorities. Almost 29 percent of the class are minorities, up from 23 percent last year. The number of international students is up 18 percent from 2008, with international students making up 5.3 percent of the freshman class.
“We are thrilled and inspired by the talented, creative and diverse group of new students we welcomed to campus this year,” said Vanderbilt Provost Richard McCarty. “These amazing freshmen are already benefitting from the first-year living-learning environment of The Commons and will contribute in important ways to our university through their scholarship and service activities over the next four years.”
Vanderbilt was also able to be more selective this year than any other, with 20.1 percent of students accepted compared to 25.3 percent last year. Douglas Christiansen, vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions, said that more than 95 percent of the applicants presented fully viable and competitive applications.
“Given the number of applications and the impressive quality we have seen this year, students with credentials considered acceptable in prior years had to be wait-listed or denied,” said Christiansen. “The increased student quality is wonderful news for Vanderbilt as an institution, but it is also difficult to pass on so many highly capable candidates.”
Christiansen said he and the admissions team has never seen greater levels of leadership, rigor in high school in course curriculum, or creativity and inspiration in extracurricular activities than he has in this year’s class.
Vanderbilt’s total enrollment is also up over previous years. Total fall enrollment for 2009 is 12,514, a 3.5 percent increase over last year’s enrollment of 12,093. Total undergraduate enrollment is 6,794, up 2.4 percent from last year’s enrollment of 6,637. Total post-baccalaureate enrollment is 5,720, up 4.8 percent from last year’s enrollment of 5,456.
Media Contact: Amy Wolf, (615) 322-NEWS
amy.wolf@vanderbilt.edu