Since 1998, Quinnipiac has experienced a notable growth in its undergraduate applications. In 1998, 5,853 potential students applied for admission. In 2002, the number rose to nearly 8,000.
According to Joan Isaac Mohr, vice president and dean of Admissions, applications are expected to reach 8,500 for the fall 2003 school year.
Quinnipiac’s growing application rate reflects the expanding reputation and popularity of the school and its programs. However, the number of students accepted has remained an average of 5,658 students per year, representing the increasing competitiveness of the admissions process.
The increasing application rate allows admissions to be more selective in choosing high-caliber students. While more students may be applying, about the same amount per year are being accepted. This works to the advantage of the school because, as the number and quality of the applicant pool increases, it allows admissions to select students with higher SAT scores and class rankings.
According to the 2001-2002 Annual Report, the class of 2006 was statistically the best freshmen class in Quinnipiac’s history. The entering class of 1,350 freshmen and transfer students was selected from a pool of nearly 8,000 applicants.
The College of Liberal Arts drew 32 percent, with the schools of Health Sciences and Business attracting 28 and 21 percent respectively. The growing School of Communications enrolls 18 percent of the class.
In total, the university enrolled 4,700 full time undergraduate students and nearly 2,000 graduate students for 2002.
According to Isaac Mohr, Quinnipiac is not looking to accept more students at this point in its growth. Instead, the goal is to increase the quality of students.
“As Quinnipiac becomes more well known and applications to the university increase, we are able to be more selective in admitting students,” said Isaac Mohr.
Housing is the main factor that restricts the amount of students admitted. 92% of the current freshmen class live on campus, while 8% commute. This leaves 1200 spaces available for incoming freshmen living on campus. Housing is guaranteed for all incoming freshmen, therefore the university cannot enroll more students until the decision to expand housing is made.
The fall 2003 semester has brought some changes to the admissions process that reflect Quinnipiac’s growing reputation.
According to Isaac Mohr, potential students began applying as early as October and November. Typically, December is the normal date for a high school senior to apply for early decision. Following that, admissions to the university operate on a rolling admissions cycle.
Isaac Mohr reported that more students applied online, close to 2,000 students, as compared to about 800 last year.
Isaac Mohr also said that the high school graduating class of 2008 will be the largest class of students applying to college.
“Because of this, the competition to get into college will be much keener,” she said, “what was once considered a “safety school” for a older sibling may no longer be as easy to get into.”
