SRU’s enrollment plan increases freshmen applications
Freshman admission applications for the fall 2016 semester are on the rise at Slippery Rock University.
April 19, 2016
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University's quality and range of academic programs, including new pre-professional programs, has helped increase freshmen admission applications and deposits for summer and fall 2016 compared to the previous year.
Freshman applications are up 189, or 3.3 percent, since summer/fall 2015 and freshmen deposits are up by 64, or 4.9 percent, according to Amanda Yale, associate provost for enrollment management.
"The increase in freshman applications illustrates a greater awareness of the range, diversity and quality of our academic programs," Yale said. "New programs in health sciences, human services, engineering and criminology are leading the way. Pre-professional programs, in particular, have drawn a strong interest from our prospective students and their families."
First-time freshmen applications increased from 5,685 in 2015 to 5,874 in 2016. Deposits rose from 1,308 to 1,372, she said.
Domestic applications increased by 124 students, from 5,558 to 5,682 and first-time international freshmen applications increased by 65 students, from 127 to 192.
Yale said SRU's core strategies for new enrollment grow include increasing market share in primary markets, exploring secondary markets and creating new markets for adult learners, international students and degree-completion. SRU has increased winter and summer online offerings, improved scholarship award levels and launched a new website to increase brand awareness.
Transfer and graduate recruitment initiatives are also strong. Transfer applications for fall 2016 are up by 80 students. Graduate applications for summer/fall are up by 184, she said.
A new graduate program in physician assistant studies will launch this summer with a cohort of 52 students, Yale said. New online and blended graduate programs in data analytics, public health, health informatics, special education, history, English, music therapy and technology for online instruction will launch in the fall.
Online summer classes are more numerous than ever at SRU. For summer 2016, SRU has scheduled more than 200 classes online, Yale said. Ninety online classes will be offered during the fall semester. Registering for classes is also more convenient, she said. Students can register online through MySRU.
SRU continues to recruit more in-state students. Freshman applicants from western Pennsylvania increased from 3,494 to 3,576. Eastern Pennsylvania applications increased from 1,116 to 1,199, according to Yale.
The quality of freshmen applications is increasing too. The average grade-point average increased from 3.33 to 3.37, she said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu