Freshmen Show High Academic Scores

The Student Life section of Utah State Today highlights work written by the talented student journalists at Utah State University. Each week, the editor selects a story that has been published in The Utah Statesman or the Hard News Café or both for inclusion in Utah State Today.

 

 

By Mike Burnham in The Utah Statesman, Wednesday, November 3, 2010

  

In a letter to USU faculty and staff, President Stan Albrecht shared an optimistic glimpse of future classes.

 

The incoming class is also marked by a 26 percent jump in minority student enrollment. The average ACT and index score of the incoming freshman class has climbed as well, resulting in a higher number of awarded scholarships.

 

Total enrollment at the university hit a high of 25,767 students, with a record number of first-time students.

 

An improvement in ACT and index scores not only marks the incoming freshman class as the biggest we've had, but one of the most quality groups as well according to President Albrecht's letter. Jenn Putnam, director of admissions, said the increase in scores is probably tied to economic conditions.

 

"I think money has become a real determining factor given the state of the economy over the past three years," she said. "To the credit of our administration, they have allowed us to be extremely transparent in the aid package as far as scholarship offerings we are able to give students upfront."

 

According to a letter Albrecht released to all students, faculty and staff, nearly 60 more Presidential Scholarships were awarded than last year, and more than 70 additional Dean's Scholarships. Putnam said this will, however, result in an increase in competition among next years incoming class to attain scholarships. Recently the university brought in a consulting firm to evaluate the school's aid budget. They found the University was putting more on the table than they needed to in order to stay competitive.

 

"We know that students out there appreciate any help that we can give them," Putnam said, "so we didn't go with (the firm's) direct recommendations, but decided to meet in the middle. We are reducing next year's budget for scholarships slightly, but I think it's still extremely competitive."

 

Albrecht's letter also stated the increase in minority enrollment follows a trend of growth among minority representation in academic institutions all across the state. Putnam said a study released two years ago projected most of the growth in high school graduates would take place among ethnic minorities.

 

"Given that knowledge that we got a couple of years ago," Putnam said, "the state itself took particular note of that and have really tried to increase participation rates in higher education amongst high school (minorities.)"

 

Comparatively, the demographics of USU fare favorably with other institutions across the state.

 

"Compared to our two major competitors, the University of Utah and BYU, our minority demographics are slightly lower than theirs," Putnam said, "but as far as other state institutions, like Weber State, UVU, and SUU, we're comparable if not higher than some of those."

 

While the university seems to be making significant strides academically and demographically, it may not be bucking other trends common throughout the nation. A recent broadcast by Rob Nief and Tom McBride of Beloit College noted that incoming freshman are increasingly out of touch and unprepared for the demands of university life. They may have trouble distinguishing information from knowledge, and need to learn the patience of scholarship. Putnam said this still has some validity despite the higher test scores.

 

"This generation is very optimistic and self confident in a good way," she said, "but the one thing I have noticed in the past few years is that their coping skills don't seem to be as finely tuned or developed as groups I may have worked with four to five years ago."

 

Putnam said this might be in part because so many students live close to home and find it easy to rely on parents more than is necessary. She was optimistic, however, and said students need to give themselves a little more credit and realize they really can do this.

 

The jump in enrollment is mostly due to a more concerted effort in recruitment.

 

"The university made a significant investment in recruiting about four years ago," she said. "We've seen a steady increase every year since then."

 

The result, she said, was a more streamlined recruiting process that reaches out to the rising generation through social media, videos, online requests and an increase in events both on and off campus. Much of this marketing strategy comes directly from students.

 

"We use current students a lot in marketing decision," Putnam said. "We try to use their talent and glean why they came to USU in order to help other students understand why this might be the best fit for them."