West Lafayette, IN (PRWEB) May 04, 2016
Purdue University expects its entering class of 2016 to be the largest since 2008 and anticipates a class that again breaks records for its diversity and academic profile. The projections, coming on the heels of another year of record applications, are based on the number of admitted students who paid their admissions deposit by the May 2 commitment date.
“This is great news reflecting a tremendous worldwide interest in a Purdue education,” said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. “Our goal continues to be to deliver a rigorous high-quality education and to make it affordable for as many qualified students as we can, or as we say, ‘higher education at its highest proven value.’ This news bears witness to the efforts of the faculty, staff and students at Purdue who have worked toward that goal.”
Pam Horne, vice provost for enrollment management, said she expects a 5 percent increase over 2015 in the number of students who enter in either summer or fall 2016, and also projects more Indiana residents and underrepresented minority freshman beginners. Horne noted that the number of deposits is up significantly for Indiana residents as well as for underrepresented minorities and that the academic profile of those who have paid deposits is also up to its highest level ever.
“We are thrilled that this many highly qualified students took us up on our offer of admission,” Horne said. “We know that is due to increased attention to recruiting, conveying the excellence of Purdue programs, and reaching out individually to students and families who are responding so positively to the Purdue story, including our focus on affordability and lowering cost of attendance.”
Purdue recently announced a further extension of its freeze on tuition for a fifth straight year, stretching through 2018, at least the first two years for the incoming freshman class.
Daniels said he is particularly pleased with the projected enrollment for Summer Start, a new five-week program for invited students to get a jump on their academic career. As of May 3, 176 students had registered for Summer Start, well above the target of 150.
“We fully expect this program, which is designed for the particular benefit of first-generation and minority students, will boost the academic success of these young people throughout their Purdue years,” Daniels said.
Horne said Indiana residents are again expected to make up a majority of the incoming class. Nearly 13 percent to 14 percent of the incoming class will be international students, down from 15.6 percent last year.
Most of Purdue’s colleges, Horne projected, will exceed or fall very close to their goals for incoming students, but final enrollment numbers will not be known until September when students arrive on campus and begin classes.
Source: Pam Horne, vice provost for enrollment management, 765-494-7014, pamhorne(at)purdue(dot)edu