Scott BresslerAfter the Admissions Department mistakenly accepted 500 more freshmen than intended last year, making for one of the largest freshman classes in Washington University history, current students are wondering what the incoming class for fall will be like.
“Washington University had a wonderful applicant pool this year. More than 22,000 students applied for our small freshman class of 1,330-1,350 students. We are working this year to ensure that the freshman class doesn’t exceed this number,” said Nanette Tarbouni, director of Admissions.
Tarbouni also explained that this was one of the largest applicant pools, as well as the most talented, making for some difficult decisions.
Of the 22,000 that applied, fewer than 20 percent will be offered admission. Tarbouni is hopeful that Admissions will be able to make further offers of admission in May off the waitlist, an event that did not occur last year.
“Use of the waitlist is provided, of course, that we have not exceeded the freshman class we are planning,” said Tarbouni.
By placing more of the students on the waitlist and accepting them as space is available, the Admissions Department hopes to prevent over-enrollment. Of the 20 percent to be accepted, early decision represents approximately 35 percent of the class.
Tarbouni declined to comment on the SAT and ACT averages of the incoming class.
Of prime concern to many current students are the housing arrangements for next year.
Cheryl Stephens, Associate Director of Residential Life, explained that none of the older upperclassman dorms will be worked on this summer. Yet as part of a 10-year housing plan, many of the older freshman dorms will be reconstructed.
Stephens also said that Park is to be renovated over the summer, making two floors in the building freshmen housing. ResLife will knock down walls to convert singles into doubles.
After last year’s difficulties with freshman housing, ResLife is hopeful to not have to move upperclassmen students once they have already been assigned a room. While Wheeler and Eliot dormitories were used as freshman housing this year, Stephens maintains that the two will house entirely upperclassmen for next year.
Although the ResLife forms for current students housing were made electronic this year, freshmen will still continue to use paper forms.
In the past, the January Scholars Program has faced challenges placing participating students in the Village since fewer than expected upperclassmen moved off campus. ResLife plans to continue to use the Village as January Scholars housing in the coming year.
After playing host to the weekend’s scholarship finalists and visiting high school juniors during the week, the Admissions Department is getting ready for April Welcome. Most notable will be Celebrations Weekend, which last year invited over 600 prospective and already admitted students to attend the festivities.
“I know you and all the other Washington University students will make them feel welcome and encourage them to join our wonderful community,” said Tarbouni. “You and your colleagues are the reason that students choose us over the other nice choices they have to make.”