Its a story of quantity and quality on the campus of West Virginia University this fall. Not only did the University enroll the most students ever, but it also welcomed a historically high-quality freshman class.

Overall, nearly 1,000 more students enrolled at WVU s main campus this semester. Enrollment stands at 25,255, a 4.1 percent increase over the 2003 fall enrollment of 24,260.

WVU s freshman class boasts the highest academic profile in recent history, with an average ACT composite score of 23 and an SAT combined average of 1072. Both of those numbers are well above the national averages of 20.9 for ACT and 1026 for the SAT . The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen has risen to 3.31.

Additionally, nearly 81 percent of the fall 2003 freshmen returned, up from 78 percent last year. Successful retention and strong recruiting efforts can be credited for this years enrollment increase, said Brenda Thompson, assistant vice president of Enrollment Services. Over the next five years, officials plan to increase enrollment at the University to 30,000.

It doesnt surprise WVU s president that more and more students are choosing to attend WVU .The total package at WVU today is a good onecompetitive price, high quality, excellent student life and private and public support for our students during and after college,President David C. Hardesty Jr. commented.

In addition to its impressive academic credentials, this years freshman class includes the largest ever group of West Virginia residents2,453 in-state students. This statistic is especially noteworthy, Thompson said, because it comes at a time when the West Virginia high school enrollment numbers are dropping.

Meanwhile, the high-achieving freshmen have swelled the roster of the WVU Honors Program. According to Honors Program Director Keith Garbutt, a total of 354 entering first-year students are in the Honors Program, compared to 270 in last years class, bringing the total number of Honors students to 1,162, up from 918 last year.

The first-year students in my class seem to be very serious about their studies and ready to accept the responsibilities required for college-level academic achievement,observed Christopher Wilkinson, professor of music in the College of Creative Arts.

Robin Jones, associate dean of students for Residential Education, has noticed a change in the atmosphere at the WVU residence halls over the past several years.Students are asking for programs and are more involved in residence life. For example, they are more interested in community service,said Jones, who became a Resident Faculty Leader in 1999 at Arnold Hall.

WVU also claims the highest number of Promise Scholars in the state, with 3,497 currently enrolled, or 42 percent of the 8,300 statewide Promise Scholars. The freshman class includes 1,242 Promise Scholars, or 36 percent of the 2004 Promise recipients. Thompson noted that needy state residents who would have qualified for the Promise Scholarship before requirements were changed last year were offered grants to help them pay for their tuition at WVU .

Commitment to Student Success

As enrollment grows, WVU has maintained its commitment to the student-centered learning approach by continuing and expanding programs for students. Resident Faculty Leaders are assigned to each of WVU s residence halls and live nearby, providing on-site mentors and advisers. University 101, a required course for incoming freshmen, helps new students get acclimated to college life and its challenges. The Mountaineer Parents Club, now with more than 12,000 members nationwide, provides a crucial link between the University and the families of students. A toll free parent helpline (1-800-WVU-0096) and parent advocate often assist families in getting answers to sensitive questions and working through often difficult situations. The addition of a Student Infoline (304-293-5555) this fall gives students instant answers to their questions about classes, housing, transportation and much more.

Not only are we recruiting and keeping students in record numbers, but were also preparing them for their future endeavors,Thompson said.

For students nearing the completion of their academic programs, initiatives such as the new Center for Career Development opened last month in the College of Business and Economics can assist with finding employment. WVU s Career Services Center hosted its firste-Fairduring the spring semester. Sponsored by the Big East Consortium, the event allowed students from member schools to connect with over 100 employers throughout the east coast. Plans are under way to bus WVU students to a live job fair at Madison Square Garden in March 2005 just prior to the Big East mens basketball tournament.

Career Services Director Bob Kent said an early poll of 2004 WVU grads shows that about 84 percent are employed and another 8 percent are in graduate school. Placement rates for some majors and schools and are even higher. For example, the P.I. Reed School of Journalism boasts a 98 percent placement rate, based on students who sought employment or acceptance to graduate school within a year after graduation.

Evolving Curriculum

With an increasing number of undergraduates, the University has added innovative programs to meet the needs and interests of students.

Faculty in the Eberly Colleges Division of Sociology and Anthropology report significant student interest in its new criminology and investigations major added this semester to support WVU s Forensic Science Initiative.

Business is good,said assistant professor James Nolan, a criminologist who teaches several course in the new major.I get calls from all over the country from people interested in transferring.

According to division chair Larry Nichols, the program has 12 official majors, in addition to 79 pre-majors. Total enrollment in the seven courses offered this fall stands at approximately 625, he said.

Dr. Nolan anticipates interest will grow even more as word of the new program travels. In addition to drawing new students to campus, the program also will provide another option for students who enter WVU with an interest in forensic science. Students seeking more information on the program can contact him at 293-5801 ext. 3210.

Another degree programthe multi-disciplinary studies major administered by the Undergraduate Academic Services Centerwas recently revamped and has grown considerably. Its popularity has led some colleges and schools to consider adding MDS programs of their own.

The MDS major is a really innovative program,said Anita Mayer, interim director of the UASC .We encourage students to think about the areas they might want to go into, and then select three concentrations that might help them get there.

The MDS program uses minors as templates for the concentrations, Mayer explained. Among the 150 currently enrolled are students preparing for medical school and law school, as well as other fields of graduate study.

Its a great second option program. Students who may have wanted to get into a particular program, but didnt meet one of the requirements, like a test score or GPA , can complete the MDS program. Its also a good option for students are who are so talented in many different areas that its difficult to choose just one field of study,she added.

Students interested in the MDS program can contact Carolyn Morris at Carolyn.Morris@mail.wvu.edu for more information.

In addition to new and revised majors, students also have more than 50 minors to choose from, allowing them to tailor their course of study to their specific interests or career plans. New minors available to students for the first time this fall include the Italian Studies minor in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the Food Science and Technology minor in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences.

Other Enrollment Highlights

  • The 25,255 total includes 15,510 West Virginia residents, 8,425 out-of-state students, 8 from U.S. territories and 1,312 international students.
  • The number of transfer students increased over 10 percent from last year, for a total of 868 transfers this fall.
  • Overall, the number Ohio and Virginia residents enrolled at WVU increased nearly 13 percent; the number of Maryland residents increased nearly 11 percent.
  • WVU renewal rates for Promise scholarships are 78 percent for freshman to sophomore renewal and 82 percent for sophomore to junior renewal.
  • Males (51 percent) and females (49 percent) are about equally represented.