June 12, 2008
Contact: Kelly Cunningham, (734) 936-5190, [log in to unmask]
Applications
to U-M Ann Arbor reach historic high
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---The University of Michigan received 29,794 applications
from prospective freshmen for 2008, an 8.5 percent increase over last year and
the highest number in University history. At the same time, applications from
underrepresented minorities dropped slightly in what U-M officials predict is a
temporary decline.
As of June 5, 12,533 students were offered admission to the University's Ann
Arbor campus.
The preliminary admission number for the freshman class represents a decrease
of approximately 9 percent from the same time last year and reflects University
efforts to manage the size of the 2008 entering class.
In recent years, the number of entering freshmen exceeded U-M's ideal class
size by several hundred. This year's incoming class will be at or near the
preferred size of 5,710. This allows the university to maintain a relatively
constant undergraduate student body population, an important component of
quality instruction.
"The application pool was extremely strong again this year," said
Theodore L. Spencer, associate vice provost and executive director of the
Office of Undergraduate Admissions. "We're delighted that so many bright
and talented students are interested in attending the University of Michigan."
Of the 12,533 students who received admission offers, 6,045 have paid
enrollment deposits. Enrollment deposits do not necessarily correspond to the
number of students who attend class in the fall because some students choose
not to officially enroll. The figure is used to track trends. Last year at this
time, 46 percent of admitted students had paid a deposit; this year the number
is 48.2 percent. U-M's final enrollment figures for the class of 2012 will be
available in October.
U-M continues its longstanding policy of meeting the full demonstrated
financial need of all Michigan resident undergraduate students. "The
University is a bargain for Michigan residents," said Pamela Fowler,
executive financial aid director. "We offer one of the largest pools of
financial aid resources available at any public institution in the
country."
The 2007-2008 admissions cycle was the first full recruitment season since Michigan
voters passed Proposal 2---an initiative prohibiting the consideration of race
and gender in admissions decisions. When similar laws were passed in California
and Washington, public universities experienced substantial drops in
underrepresented minority student applications and admissions.
At U-M, the number of applications from underrepresented minorities fell 2.0
percent to 2,771 from last year. Of those who applied, 1,310 were admitted, an
admission rate 2.3 percent lower than last year. Among underrepresented
minorities, the percent of those admitted who have paid the enrollment
deposit remains relatively constant. Last year at this time, 49.1 percent of
admitted underrepresented students had paid a deposit; this year it is 48.3
percent. A year ago, underrepresented minorities accounted for 10.85 percent of
the projected freshmen class. This year the number is relatively unchanged at
10.47 percent. Final numbers will be available in the fall.
At U-M, the term underrepresented minority is interpreted to include African
Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.
Applications from women increased 7.8 percent from last year to 14,551.
The number admitted fell by 8.2 percent, a figure that closely mirrors the
percent reduction in overall admission offers. Of those admitted, 48.1 percent
have paid the deposit, an increase of 2.1 percent. The composition of the class
will remain the same. Last year at this time 50.6 percent of the
projected incoming class was women; this year the percentage is 50.9 percent.
"We are disappointed with any loss of ethnic or gender diversity in our
student body. We know from research and experience that all students benefit
from the opportunity to meet, study and work with people from diverse
backgrounds," said Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs,
senior counselor to the president for the arts, diversity and undergraduate
affairs, and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music.
"This year, as always, the dedicated staff of the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid worked hard to encourage all
qualified students to apply, and when admitted, to enroll," Monts said.
"The recruitment cycle for next year has already begun. We anticipate our
efforts will take us successfully through this transition period."
Recruiting for next fall's 2008 class began early in June 2007 with kick-off
events that welcomed to campus prospective students from underrepresented Michigan
neighborhoods and high schools.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions uses the College Board's geodemographic
tool called Descriptor PLUS to identify high school clusters and neighborhoods
that are underrepresented among the U-M student community. The office also
hired additional staff to recruit students, and the admissions office in U-M's Detroit
Center expanded its weekend and evening hours of operation.
President Mary Sue Coleman and the University's executive officers, along with
staff, students and faculty, reached out personally to encourage admitted
students to enroll. Coleman also met with Detroit area students and families at
an admissions fair at Greater Grace Temple of Detroit.
U-M's admissions review is a labor-intensive process, with admission officers
reading each application individually. "Our holistic review process is
labor-intensive," Spencer said, "and allows us to assemble an
outstanding freshman class, from varied backgrounds, that is intellectually
dynamic, creative, and passionate about a variety of interests. I am confident
that these students will thrive at the University; the entire community will
benefit from their presence and unique contributions."
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