Kent State Expects Record Freshman Class This Fall

Kent State University President Lester Lefton hinted at it during a university trustees' meeting earlier this month, but the university confirmed today they expect their largest freshman class ever this fall.

The university issued the following press release this afternoon showing they expect more than 4,000 freshmen at the main campus — the biggest incoming class in school history — when classes start this fall.

Below is the press release:

Officials at Kent State University are projecting a record freshman class at the university’s Kent Campus for fall 2011. Based on the number of applications and the number of new, incoming freshman students who have attended or have signed up for Destination Kent State, its freshman orientation program, Kent State expects to welcome its largest freshman class to the Kent Campus, surpassing its previous freshman enrollment number of 4,030 set in fall 2009.

Freshman enrollment has contributed to the university’s overall enrollment growth. In fall 2010, the university reported its highest ever enrollment with 41,365 students across its eight campuses. That represented a 7.56 percent increase in enrollment compared to the prior year.

“We’re seeing the fruits of our labor,” said Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton. “A host of factors contribute to this, including this past year’s marketing campaign, our focused and strategic recruitment and outreach efforts, and the awarding of more financial aid. The efforts of our faculty and staff, as well as our students and their families recognizing the great educational quality and value of a Kent State education, have made Kent State the first choice for many students.

“Kent State is the second largest public university in the state of Ohio, we are ranked one of the top 200 universities in the world, and we have world-class programs with faculty who are committed to student success,” Lefton continued. “We are the top option for new freshmen.”

The Kent Campus has seen a record number of applications for freshmen. As of June 20, applications are up 22.6 percent or 3,358 applications from the previous year. The total number of freshman applications received to date for the university’s Kent Campus is 18,218.

“We are seeing application increases across the board, with big growth in new students from Ohio and growth in out-of-state and international students,” said T. David Garcia, Kent State’s associate vice president for enrollment management. “With the support of President Lefton, we have continued the trend of growing Kent State’s enrollment and making Kent State a desirable college for students and their parents.”

With the expected enrollment increase, the university will closely manage new freshman applications, effective June 22. Any new freshmen who apply or complete their application on and after June 22 will be given the option to attend one of Kent State’s seven Regional Campuses located throughout Northeast Ohio or start attending the Kent Campus in the spring of 2012. The Kent Campus will continue to accept applications for transfer and upper-division students.

“In the past, Kent State has taken applications up through the start of the fall semester,” Garcia said. “That will not be the case this year. The message I want to share with prospective students and their parents is if you want to enroll at Kent State and attend our Kent Campus, you need to apply early to guarantee a spot.”