The demand for a Seattle University education has risen sharply this year as the Admissions Office has processed the highest number of applications it has ever received. The class of 2014 will be the largest incoming class of freshman in the school's history, as well as its most diverse, according to an e-mail Provost Isiaah Crawford sent to staff and faculty Monday.
A total of 7,718 students applied for fall quarter 2010. Of that number, 6,170 are freshman and 1,548 are transfer and post-baccalaureate applicants.
Admissions accepted a total of 5,011 students, 4,386 of which are freshman.According to these numbers, Crawford estimates Seattle U "will greet approximately 1,075 new first-year students this fall."
"We're humbled by the fact that there is an increasing number of students indicating that we are their first choice when they enroll," said Melore Nielsen, interim director of Admissions.
The high numbers bring many challenges. Housing and Residence Life,
which is currently exploring its options to accommodate the large incoming class. Current options include utilizing lounges as quads and using traditional double rooms as triples, as well as more drastic measures like leasing space off campus.
"Our course of action will really depend on the final numbers," said Tim Albert, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life. "But we're looking at a wide range of options to make sure this class has a great first year."
The university began looking at various spaces near campus for lease that might offer room for students last Friday, but no facilities have been
selected yet.
"We don't know for sure if that's where we're going to have to go. The situation is comparable to the fall '08 situation, which we managed," said Romando Nash, director of Housing and Residence Life.
Nash references the class of 2012, which was the largest freshman class of its time at 888 students. According to Nash, despite the challenges Housing faced that year, the class of 2012 still had a 90 percent retention rate.
"This incoming class is certainly larger than the fall '08 class, but I'm confident we can provide them with a great first year experience as well," Nash said.
Admissions said a number of factors contributed to the higher number of prospective students this year.
"Our early marketing of merit scholarships was a significant part of our success," said Marilyn Crone, the interim associate provost for Enrollment Management. "It helped more students see the affordability of Seattle U's premier independent education."
By making the scholarships the school offers more visible on the school's redesigned website, Admissions believes fewer students were scared away by sticker shock.
"I think that our website is much easier to navigate and much more professional looking than it was before," said Nielsen, who also credits the more professional appearance of the new Admissions and Alumni building as a factor for increased interest.
Since the new building offers more space, Admissions has been able to do more group presentations on Seattle University for prospective students.
It has also been easier for admissions counselors to do individual interviews without having to schedule them far in advance.
"A lot of students were interested in interviews and seeing presentations, but we'd have to turn them away before because we just didn't have the room," Nielsen said. "Now we are able to accommodate them."
Official numbers on the size and demographics of the incoming freshman class are expected to be finalized sometime next week.
Kelton may be reached at ksears@su-spectator.com
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