Muhlenberg Admissions Set Another Record
For a second straight year, and for ninth time in the past 11 years, Muhlenberg College has set a record for applications for freshman admission.Wednesday, June 7, 2006 01:59 PM
This year 4,345 students applied for the 575 seats in the freshman class, up from last year’s previous record total of 4,217. This is the fourth consecutive year that applications have topped the 4,000 mark at the highly selective liberal arts college.
“While the rise in applications is nice, we are even more excited about the students behind those applications,” says Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Christopher Hooker-Haring. “This class promises to be large, strong and active, and we look forward to all that they will bring and all that they will do during their four years with us.”
Once again, more than 40 percent of the incoming students (43%) rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class (up from 42% a year ago). The all-inclusive combined SAT profile (Critical Reading and Math only) hit 1225, topping 1200 for the fifth straight year. Muhlenberg’s mean score for the new Essay portion of the SAT is 610, bringing the combined mean for all three parts of the “new SAT” to 1835.
While Muhlenberg’s goal is to maintain a stable enrollment of approximately 2,125 students, this year’s class is currently larger than anticipated. Due to double deposits or people simply changing their minds, it is expected that the size of the incoming class will be reduced before classes begin in the fall.
“We were surprised by a large jump in Regular Decision yield this year,” says Hooker-Haring. "We are still sorting out all of the reasons why.”
One reason for student enthusiasm is an aggressive building campaign underway at Muhlenberg in recent years. The College opened a new addition to Seegers Union this spring, and will open a new 40,000 sq. ft. science facility in the fall. A new Life Sports Center opened in August 2004.
“The beautiful new facilities have clearly created excitement among prospective students and parents,” says Hooker-Haring. “But we also hear over and over that it is Muhlenberg’s people—students, faculty and staff—and the strong sense of community that exists here that is so attractive to the students who choose us.
“What drives admissions success at Muhlenberg is an enthusiastic and energetic campus climate, our strong and caring sense of community, and academic and extracurricular programs that engage and challenge our students. I think visitors to our campus pick up on that energy when they come onto campus, and that creates a sense that this particular educational environment is both distinctive and attractive.”
