Who Got In? 2003
Amherst College
In 2002, our freshman class of 408 students is slightly smaller than in 2001. The class was selected from the same number of applications as in 2001. We accepted fewer students than in 2001. We placed the same number of students on our wait list as in 2001, and accepted more students from our wait list than in 2001.

Compared to 2001, we admitted the same number of Asian-American, the same number of African-American, the same number of Hispanic, and the same number of Native American students. About 30 percent of our student body comes from U.S. minority groups. Our overall retention rate is 98 percent. About 95 percent of all our students graduate in five years.

Our 2002 yield of accepted students who actually enrolled was 43 percent, the same as compared to 2001. We received more Early Decision/Early Action applications than last year, and admitted the same number for 2002 as 2001. About 31 percent of our 2002 first-year class was accepted ED/EA.

Our deadline for 2003 applications is December 31. We do accept electronic applications. More students applied electronically in 2002 than in 2001.

We accepted the same number of international students in 2002 as in 2001. In 2002, our average freshman test scores were 1416 combined SAT, 30.4 ACT. The economy is not affecting our enrollment. About the same number of incoming students are requesting financial aid. The student "melt down" (or number of students who said they were enrolling but didn't) did not increase over the summer of 2002.

Our 2002-2003 tuition is $27,800. About 44 percent of our students receive financial aid. The average aid package is $25,534.

First-year students are eligible to win the following merit scholarships: "All financial aid money is need based." The following special or freshman experience program is available: "Freshman Orientation (7-day program)."

The most important thing we want prospective students to know about our school is: "Amherst offers an open curriculum and is part of a 5-college consortium." The most popular majors or programs on our campus are: English, History, Political Science and Biology.

We spotted the following admissions trends: "Students continue to be increasingly qualified."

We advised 2003 applicants to "Go for the 'right fit', not the 'right' school and fall in love with as many schools as possible so you'll be happy at any number of institutions."

Cate Grayer-Zolkes, Associate Dean, completed the survey. Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01002; (413) 542-2328; e-mail address, ogzolka@amherst.edu.

Michigan State University
In 2002, our freshman class of 6,886 students is larger than in 2001. The class was selected from 25,210 applications, more than in 2001. We accepted 16,977 students, more than in 2001. We placed 950 students on our wait list, than in 2001, and accepted 275 students, fewer than in 2001. Approximately 1,632 students transferred to the school.
Compared to 2001, we admitted more Asian-American, more African-American, more Hispanic, and fewer Native American students. About 16.4 percent of our student body comes from U.S. minority groups. About 63 percent of all our students graduate in five years (1995 cohort).

Our 2002 yield of accepted students who actually enrolled was about 40.6 percent, lower compared to 2001.

Our deadline for 2003 applications is a rolling. We do accept electronic applications. More students applied electronically in 2002, than in 2001.

We accepted 1,801 international students in 2002, more than in 2001. In 2002, our average freshman test scores were 1131.2 combined SAT, 24.2 ACT. More incoming students are requesting financial aid. The student "melt down" (or number of students who said they were enrolling but didn't) did not increase over the summer of 2002.

Our 2002-2003 tuition for in-state is $6,142.50 and $15,210 for out-of-state. About 39 percent of our undergraduate students receive financial aid. The average aid package is $8,000.

"We have many long-established scholarships for first-year students." The following special or freshman experience programs are available: "Academic Orientation Program and Class Connections."

The most important thing we want prospective students to know about our school is: "Michigan State University is accessible, affordable and has a quality undergraduate education." The most popular majors or programs on our campus are: Business-Marketing, Psychology and Advertising.

We advise 2003 applicants to: "Apply early in the senior year, stick to a strong academic curriculum, and keep grades up."

Judy Eberlein, Enrollment Services Coordinator, completed the survey. Michigan State University, 250 Administration Building, East Lansing, Michigan, 48840; (517) 355-8332; e-mail address, eberleij@msu.edu.

The University of Texas at Austin
In 2002, our freshman class of 7,936 students is larger than in 2001. The class was selected from 24,797 applications, more than in 2001. We accepted 13,483 students, more than in 2001. Approximately 3,180 students transferred to the school.

Compared to 2001, we admitted more Asian-American, more African-American, more Hispanic, and more Native American students. About 39.4 percent of our student body comes from U.S. minority groups. Our retention rate for minority students is about 92 percent for one year; 84 percent for two years. About 64.8 percent of all our students graduate in five years.

Our 2002 yield of accepted students who actually enrolled was about 59 percent, higher compared to 2001

Our deadline for 2003 applications is February 1. We do accept electronic applications. About 75 percent of students applied electronically in 2002, more than in 2001.

We accepted 383 international students in 2002, more than in 2001. In 2002, our average freshman test scores were 1228 combined SAT, 26 ACT. The economy is affecting our enrollment, with "higher yield rates." The student "melt down" (or number of students who said they were enrolling but didn't) did not increase over the summer of 2002.

Our 2002-2003 tuition is resident - $5,340; non-resident - $11,446.

First-year students are eligible to win the following merit scholarships: "National Merit, National Achievement, Presidential Achievement, National Hispanic Scholars and many more." "We have many freshman programs." Among 2003 applicants, we seek the following special skills or talents: "Leadership and academic achievement."

The most important thing we want prospective students to know about our school is: "Apply Early." The most popular majors or programs on our campus are: Liberal Arts-undeclared, Biology and Computer Science. The new majors or programs are: Bio-Medical Engineering.

In 2002, we spotted the following admissions trends: "Significantly more applications of higher-qualified students." We advise 2003 applicants to: "Take care with essays-meet deadlines."

Gary M. Lavergne, Admissions Research, completed the survey. The University of Texas at Austin, Main 7, Austin, Texas 78712.