Academic quality of first-year students increases

COLUMBUS – University efforts to attract and retain academically talented students continue to show progress, according to The Ohio State University’s 15-day enrollment report.

The freshman class of 2003 is the best academically prepared incoming class at Ohio State. The number of first-quarter freshmen attending the Columbus campus is 6,258, representing a 6.3 percent increase above the previous year (5,888). Fifty percent scored between 23 and 28 on their ACTs, improving the entering class ACT average to a record 25.4, compared to 25.2 the past two years. The 2003 national ACT average is 20.8.

In addition, approximately 33 percent of Ohio State’s first-year students graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class and 69 percent ranked in the top 25 percent. Martha Garland, vice provost and dean for the Office of Undergraduate Studies, said the report indicates that Ohio State is moving in the right direction.

“Ohio State has been experiencing dramatic results in its undergraduate student profile since 1995,” Garland said. “Since our adoption of the Academic Plan and the Diversity Action Plan, our goal has been to attract talented students who can benefit from the educational diversity we provide as a top research institution with graduation being the primary goal.”

Retention also has reached record levels. The retention rate for first-year students at Ohio State increased from 86.5 percent in 2001 to 87.1 percent in 2002. The national first year average for public universities is 74 percent. Second-year retention figures increased from 79 to 79.3 percent; third-year retention rose from 70.8 to 73.7 percent.

Statewide enrollment of minority students improved for the third straight year despite some decreases among minority freshmen. Record enrollment was noted among African Americans, now at 3,959, up from 3,941. The number of Asian and Pacific Islander students increased to 2,745, a 3.5 percent rise from 2,652, while Hispanic students increased 12.1 percent from 1,034 to 1,159.

Mac Stewart, vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, said that minority freshmen have made significant contributions to the academic goals of the university.

“I am pleased with the degree to which our minority students have prepared themselves for the academic rigors of Ohio State,” Stewart said. “I have every reason to believe that they will help move the university toward even stronger retention and graduation rates in future years.”

Garland added that fostering a diverse learning environment is critical to Ohio State.
“The university works tirelessly to develop specific programming in the offices of minority affairs and student affairs, our academic colleges and departments, and through the First Year Experience program, all of which help personalize and nurture the student experience,” Garland said.

Enrollment in Ohio State’s professional schools rose 4.4 percent to a record 3,195 and includes record gains among women, climbing to 1,699 from 1,604 a year ago, an increase of almost 6 percent.

Autumn quarter enrollment on the Columbus campus is 50,731, a 2.1 increase above last year. Enrollment at all campuses increased 1.7 percent to 58,254 students. Women are attending Ohio State at a record level of 29,355 (50.4 percent). The number of men enrolled is 28,899 (49.6 percent).

The Ohio State autumn quarter 2003 enrollment summary follows.
Columbus Campus
• Undergraduate, graduate and professional students: 50,731 (2.1 percent increase from 2002)
• Undergraduate students: 37,605 (2.0 percent increase from 2002)
• Graduate students: 9,931 (1.7 percent increase from 2002)
• Professional students: 3,195 (4.4 percent increase from 2002)

Regional Campuses (Undergraduate and Graduate)
• Ohio State Lima: 1,338 (5.2 percent decrease from 2002)
• Ohio State Mansfield: 1,640 (8.4 percent increase from 2002)
• Ohio State Marion: 1,567 (2.2 percent increase from 2002)
• Ohio State Newark: 2,148 (3.6 percent decrease from 2002)
• ATI at Wooster: 830 (8.5 percent decrease from 2002)

Ohio State (All Campuses)
•Undergraduate, graduate and professional students: 58,254 (1.7 percent increase from 2002)
• Undergraduate students: 44,720 (1.7 percent increase from 2002)
• Graduate students: 10,339 (1.2 percent increase from 2002)
• Professional students: 3,195 (4.4 percent increase from 2002)