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Oct. 7, 2003
Admissions Numbers Hit the Mark
Freshman Class Most Selectively Admitted, Academically
Qualified In University History
By Greg
Licamele
GW’s new class of freshmen represents the most selectively admitted
and most academically qualified in University history, according to the
latest statistics.
A mere 38 percent of applicants for the Class of 2007 were admitted, a
percentage that has tumbled 10 points over two years and 20 points over
the last decade. Institutions’ admittance rates are traditionally
a strong indicator of their health in higher education. Of the record-setting
18,602 applications received and 7,147 freshmen admitted, a competitive
2,313 students are now attending GW (see chart
for 10-year breakdown).
Kathryn Napper, director of admissions, attributes this success and selectivity
to GW’s growing emphasis on academic excellence, student life and
its location in Washington, DC.
“The University is doing the right things,” Napper said. “What
we offer in academics, the facilities and faculty all play into the hands
of the admissions office to make it easier. DC is attractive to our applicants,
but what we offer as an institution is the real attraction. Without a
strong product, the rest of it wouldn’t happen.”
According to the Office of Academic Affairs, average SAT scores of the
freshman class rose 15 points from last year to 640 in both verbal and
math.
Napper said the caliber of all GW students has improved over the years.
“There’s been more of a change in the last four years over the
quality and competitive nature of the applications and the students coming,”
Napper said. “Their involvement in activities is greater and they
have more leadership experiences.”
In fact, of the freshman class members, almost 1,300 participated in community
service.
“What I’ve been struck by is the spirit of the students,”
said Fred Siegel, associate vice president and dean of freshmen, whose
job now is to help retain the class.
Siegel said the key to retention is activism and involvement.
“The most important thing for a freshman is a connection to something,”
Siegel said. “It may be academics, a part-time job, rushing a greek
organization, or an internship, but there has to be some connection to
supplement the academics. If we were just about academics, then we’d
be fine because the faculty is great. But we need a connection on every
level.”
Siegel said GW’s freshmen retention rate is roughly 92 percent, a
number he’s aiming to improve to 95 percent.
“There’s a lot of effort at recruiting students, so it’s
a business issue to replace as few students as possible,” Siegel
said. “If you look at the great institutions, they retain the maximum
number of students without admitting other students to a class over four
years. It’s also a general measure of institutional health.”
Napper said as the admissions process begins for next fall, she’s
encouraged already by the early signs of success.
“It’s still preliminary, but all of the indicators, in terms
of visits this summer, the in-depth questions we’re getting early
in the process and positive feedback from high school counselors, show
that we are headed in a strong position for the coming year,” Napper
said.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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Related Links
Admissions
Changing With the Times
Admissions
Selectivity Chart (1994-2003)
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