2008 Woodie Awards
SRU tightens admission requirements
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: News
Enrollment applications for Slippery Rock University are up 38 percent and the acceptance rate is down 8 percent compared to a year ago.
Rigorous admission standards have caused a decrease in acceptance rate. A year ago, the acceptance rate was 63 percent, this year it's 55 percent for the 2006 first year class.
The criteria automatic acceptance requires a minimum SAT score of 930 and a GPA of 2.75. This year's entering freshman class' minimum average for the SAT was 1001 and 3.25 GPA.
"I think Slippery Rock's image out there is changing," said Amanda Yale, Associate Provost of Enrollment Services. "I think there has been a strong marketing program. We do more to market the institution now than in the past."
As of Dec. 5, SRU has received 2,337 applications as compared to 1,684 last year at the same time.
A total of 605 part-time and full-time transfer students were admitted this semester.
"We are delighted to see a 109 percent increase in out-of-state applicants, a 40 percent increase in international student applications and a 37 percent increase in graduate student applications, primarily in physical therapy, counseling and development, and sport management," SRU President Robert M. Smith said.
Yale said the excitement over the new residence halls and interest in certain studies may account for the increasing interest in SRU.
Yale said increasing interests in majors is across the board, especially in biology, chemistry, mathematics, exercise science and exploratory.
She said physical construction attracts students. The new residence halls and science and technology building have contributed to the excitement.
Current enrollment has increased 2.2 percent to a student body size of 8,105 students, the fourth largest increase among the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions.
Slippery Rock does not intend to increase their student enrollment to become a larger school.
"(We're interested) in being known as the best regional liberal arts public institution in Western Pennsylvania and improving the quality of our student body and diversity," Yale said. "I think students have the greatest impact on image."
Yale said she rarely hears SRU referred to as a party school as it was known for in the 70s and 80s.
"Our enrollment management plan has consistently provided measured growth through retention and transfer students," Smith said.
Rigorous admission standards have caused a decrease in acceptance rate. A year ago, the acceptance rate was 63 percent, this year it's 55 percent for the 2006 first year class.
The criteria automatic acceptance requires a minimum SAT score of 930 and a GPA of 2.75. This year's entering freshman class' minimum average for the SAT was 1001 and 3.25 GPA.
"I think Slippery Rock's image out there is changing," said Amanda Yale, Associate Provost of Enrollment Services. "I think there has been a strong marketing program. We do more to market the institution now than in the past."
As of Dec. 5, SRU has received 2,337 applications as compared to 1,684 last year at the same time.
A total of 605 part-time and full-time transfer students were admitted this semester.
"We are delighted to see a 109 percent increase in out-of-state applicants, a 40 percent increase in international student applications and a 37 percent increase in graduate student applications, primarily in physical therapy, counseling and development, and sport management," SRU President Robert M. Smith said.
Yale said the excitement over the new residence halls and interest in certain studies may account for the increasing interest in SRU.
Yale said increasing interests in majors is across the board, especially in biology, chemistry, mathematics, exercise science and exploratory.
She said physical construction attracts students. The new residence halls and science and technology building have contributed to the excitement.
Current enrollment has increased 2.2 percent to a student body size of 8,105 students, the fourth largest increase among the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions.
Slippery Rock does not intend to increase their student enrollment to become a larger school.
"(We're interested) in being known as the best regional liberal arts public institution in Western Pennsylvania and improving the quality of our student body and diversity," Yale said. "I think students have the greatest impact on image."
Yale said she rarely hears SRU referred to as a party school as it was known for in the 70s and 80s.
"Our enrollment management plan has consistently provided measured growth through retention and transfer students," Smith said.
