Wisconsin residents well-represented in freshman class

The incoming freshman class at the University of Wisconsin–Madison represents more Wisconsin residents than in the past 12 years.

According to official figures released by the university’s Office of the Registrar, this year’s class includes 3,837 students from Wisconsin. This is the largest number of state residents since the incoming class of 2001 (3,947 Wisconsin residents). The percentage of Wisconsin residents who were offered admission increased 9.5 percent over last year. This year’s class, with 6,339 students, is also the largest in the school’s history. Students hail from every county in Wisconsin, from 45 states and Washington, D.C., and from 34 countries.

“We want Wisconsin residents at UW–Madison and I see that commitment illustrated in these numbers. Recruiting Wisconsin students who will flourish in our academic environment is an institutional priority and our efforts work toward that goal,” says Steve Hahn, interim vice provost for enrollment management.

The class is also one of the most diverse the university has enrolled. African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, or Asian-American students make up 10.8 percent of the class, the largest percentage in the past decade. The new freshman class includes 1,159 first-generation students, or 18.3 percent. The students also demonstrate diverse talents: 66 percent have performed in music, theater or dance; 62 percent played a sport; and 58 percent of took part in community service.

Total enrollment at UW–Madison this fall is up one percent from the previous year, increasing from 42,820 students to 43,256. Undergraduate enrollment has grown from 29,119 students in Fall 2012 to 29,503 in Fall 2013. Nonresident enrollment represents 26.8 percent of the total undergraduate population, well within the 27.5 percent out-of-state threshold set by the UW System Board of Regents.