Spring Break
Record numbers apply to university
Eau Claire sees nine percent increase
Emily Hartwig
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
No less than 7,665 students have applied for UW-Eau Claire's 2008-2009 freshman class, a nine percent increase from last year, said Kris Anderson, director of admissions. About 5,000 students have been admitted to this class so far.
"We're on pace to have a record number of freshmen applications this year," she said, adding that most of the increase is from Wisconsin applicants, though Minnesota applicants also made a slight increase.
But the high number of accepted applications - 5,017 - doesn't mean the university is overloading its freshman class, Anderson said.
About 40 percent of accepted students actually attend the university, Anderson said, adding the university uses trends to determine how many students it can hold. This year, that number is 2,040.
"When we look at the math, we don't over-enroll," Anderson said."It's amazing how the numbers work out."
Vice Chancellor Andy Soll said a variety of factors go into determining the "target number" for each freshman class, such as how many students return to the university, how many students transfer and the number of part-time students.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Chuck Major said about 90 percent of freshman live on campus, adding record number of applicants won't change the university's policy to offer on-campus housing.
"We'll be able to accommodate all the freshmen that live here on campus," Major said.
Freshman Brandon Franz said he came to Eau Claire because it is relatively close to his hometown, Wisconsin Rapids, and he heard great things about the academic programs. When told about the record number of applicants, Franz was surprised.
"That's crazy," he said. "It's a popular school, I guess."
One factor is large high school graduating classes, Anderson said. However, the rest of the UW-System isn't seeing this large of an increase, she added, pointing out other possible factors.
"We have a great combination of activity here both in the classroom and outside the classroom," Anderson said, citing Eau Claire's study abroad program and opportunities for student collaborative research.
She also said the university has been working hard at recruiting, making efforts such as putting out better publications and an online newsletter, she said.
Soll said the increase in applicants is not only good for Eau Claire, but the entire UW System.
"I think it's a reflection of the efforts we've made to be sure people recognize what an outstanding opportunity that (the) university offers," Soll said. "That's the heart of it - our message is getting through."
Anderson said Eau Claire will still continue to accept good applicants, but will be more selective when it comes to its waiting list. Out of the 900 students on this year's list, less than 100 will be offered a place in the fall, she said.
"Good news is that we're bursting at the seams and doing really well," she said. "Bad news is we just can't admit everyone."
"We're on pace to have a record number of freshmen applications this year," she said, adding that most of the increase is from Wisconsin applicants, though Minnesota applicants also made a slight increase.
But the high number of accepted applications - 5,017 - doesn't mean the university is overloading its freshman class, Anderson said.
About 40 percent of accepted students actually attend the university, Anderson said, adding the university uses trends to determine how many students it can hold. This year, that number is 2,040.
"When we look at the math, we don't over-enroll," Anderson said."It's amazing how the numbers work out."
Vice Chancellor Andy Soll said a variety of factors go into determining the "target number" for each freshman class, such as how many students return to the university, how many students transfer and the number of part-time students.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Chuck Major said about 90 percent of freshman live on campus, adding record number of applicants won't change the university's policy to offer on-campus housing.
"We'll be able to accommodate all the freshmen that live here on campus," Major said.
Freshman Brandon Franz said he came to Eau Claire because it is relatively close to his hometown, Wisconsin Rapids, and he heard great things about the academic programs. When told about the record number of applicants, Franz was surprised.
"That's crazy," he said. "It's a popular school, I guess."
One factor is large high school graduating classes, Anderson said. However, the rest of the UW-System isn't seeing this large of an increase, she added, pointing out other possible factors.
"We have a great combination of activity here both in the classroom and outside the classroom," Anderson said, citing Eau Claire's study abroad program and opportunities for student collaborative research.
She also said the university has been working hard at recruiting, making efforts such as putting out better publications and an online newsletter, she said.
Soll said the increase in applicants is not only good for Eau Claire, but the entire UW System.
"I think it's a reflection of the efforts we've made to be sure people recognize what an outstanding opportunity that (the) university offers," Soll said. "That's the heart of it - our message is getting through."
Anderson said Eau Claire will still continue to accept good applicants, but will be more selective when it comes to its waiting list. Out of the 900 students on this year's list, less than 100 will be offered a place in the fall, she said.
"Good news is that we're bursting at the seams and doing really well," she said. "Bad news is we just can't admit everyone."
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