Stellar Class Moves In

A total of 1021 Freshmen moved into their residence hall rooms, attended Week of Welcome activities, and met their professors for the first time this week. For most, it has been the biggest transition of their young lives, but a happy occasion, nonetheless, as they begin to immerse themselves in the life of the campus.

While it was a happy surprise to see applications increase once again this year, the challenge of selecting the class from nearly 11,000 applicants was daunting, and at times a little overwhelming for the College’s Admissions Committee. But the results are gratifying: the mean SAT (CR+M) is a solid 1326; and the mean high school GPA is an impressive 93.3. Nearly 60% of the class ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes. And more than three quarters will receive credit for their performance on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations, with the average number of credits totaling 21. This bank of credits will provide the flexibility for students to shape their programs to suit their wide-ranging interests, complete double majors, embark on overseas study or pursue intensive research projects.

According to Kris Shay, Director of Admissions, this year’s class includes more student government leaders, team captains, and accomplished musicians, actors, writers, and athletes than ever before. “I’ve heard it said that high academic achievers tend to be narrow in their interests,” she said, “but nothing could be further from the truth.”

Shay also noted that this is the most diverse class in the College’s history, with 17.8% identifying themselves as students of color.

Once again, the applicant pool was so strong that the College reluctantly denied admission to many highly talented students. But rather than simply turning them away, Shay identified the top group of applicants from the waiting list and offered them admission to the spring term. Last year, more than 150 students accepted the offer and joined the Class of 2011 in January, taking the place of students graduating at mid-year or studying abroad. Shay called it a “win/win” proposition.

The College also enrolled a stellar class of Transfer students. The mean GPA of the Transfer class is 3.3.