Talented freshman class enrolls

This fall’s incoming freshman class has the best academic credentials of any class in the history of UW–Madison, says Admissions Director Rob Seltzer.

The class is projected to have an average high school academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.66 (out of 4.0). More than half (55 percent) of new freshmen graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and 93 percent graduated in the top quarter, both up slightly from last year.

Because students were able to register for classes for several weeks after the semester officially began on Sept. 3, final enrollment numbers are not yet available. However, a class of approximately 5,578 freshmen has been projected, about the same as last year’s class of 5,514.

The total number of undergraduates is projected as 28,586, nearly even with last year’s 28,677. Total enrollment is projected at 41,595, compared to 41,507 last year.

Almost 4,300 students of the incoming freshman class submitted Advanced Placement scores for credit, up from 4,000 last year. The class also tested strongly, averaging a 27.5 on the ACT Composite, up from 27.4 last year, and well above the state (22.2) and national (20.8) averages.

“This class is impressive both in and out of the classroom,” says Seltzer. “As we continue to admit talented classes of students, the entire university benefits and the value of a UW–Madison degree continues to increase.”

Seltzer received 20,355 applications for admission, down 916 (4.3 percent) from the record number of applications last year. The decrease was seen primarily in out-of-state applicants, indicating one possible impact of tuition hikes of the past few years.

More than 65 percent of applicants were admitted, compared to 78 percent just six years ago, he says.

Seltzer says the high demand for access is fueled by UW–Madison’s status as one of the nation’s premier public research universities, the university’s exceptional faculty and its growing national reputation.

Diversity continues to be a major priority at the university. The incoming freshman class has 629 students of color, down 11 students from 640 last year. The incoming freshman class has modest increases in African American and Native American students. Seltzer says the university continues to work to diversify its student body. During the past few years, the PEOPLE and Posse programs, along with other Plan 2008 initiatives, are beginning to pay dividends.

The incoming freshman class is also geographically diverse, with students from nearly every Wisconsin county, most of the 50 states and more than 100 countries. The top feeder counties to UW–Madison are Dane, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Cook (Ill.), Brown, Hennepin (Minn.), Outagamie, Ozaukee and Winnebago.

The international community continues to be a major component of the incoming class, with 308 students, up significantly from 218 last year. Overall international student enrollment is 3,580, down slightly from 3,614 last year.

While the UW–Madison admissions office places a high priority on academic success when reviewing applications, students’ leadership, service, extracurricular activities, athletics and talents are also considered, Seltzer says.

Approximately 64 percent of the incoming class earned a varsity letter, while 27 percent volunteered as an aide in a hospital, clinic or home. More than 22 percent received an award or recognition for community service.

Seltzer encourages applicants turned away from UW–Madison to consider attending another UW System institution. If students keep their grades up and take the necessary courses, they can apply as a transfer student to UW–Madison in the future, he adds.