The University Magazine
RIT enrollment hits all-time high in several categories
RIT’s total enrollment this year reached an all-time record of 16,494, up 3 percent from last year.
“Overall, 2007-2008 has been a very good recruitment year for RIT, ” says James Miller, senior vice president, Enrollment Management and Career Services. “With records established for undergraduate and graduate applications for admission, RIT was able to become more selective, to increase ethnic diversity in the entering class, increase the number and percentage of women, particularly in engineering, science and technology clusters, and meet goals of increasing visibility and enrollment of students from outside the mid-Atlantic and New England regions.
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First-year students take part in the annual Tiger Walk welcome as they head to Student Convocation ceremonies during orientation week. |
“These results are consistent with RIT’s strategic enrollment goals and a positive reflection of campus-wide efforts,” Miller says.
Here is a breakdown:
- Total undergraduates exceeded 13,750 as a result of increases in both full- and part-time students.
- Freshmen enrollment in RIT’s eight colleges increased from 2,514 in 2007 to 2,640, a 5 percent increase, making it the largest class in RIT history.
- A new record was established for freshmen applications received (up 15 percent).
- Geographic origin of the class continues to widen with 53.5 percent of freshmen coming from outside New York state, up from 51 percent in fall 2007.
- In addition, 275 freshmen will commence their studies at RIT’s campuses in Kosovo and Croatia.
- Transfer students total 750, up slightly from 743 in fall 2007. Transfer applications increased by 8 percent.
“RIT’s graduate enrollment continues to increase with graduate headcount of more than 2,600. Growth is fueled by an increase of over 7 percent in full-time graduate students to over 1,250. Both are graduate enrollment records,” according to Miller. Other highlights from graduate enrollment include:
- Graduate applications for fall entry increased to a new high, up 9 percent.
- Entering graduate students numbered about 1,075, with more than 40 percent coming from outside the United States, reflecting the rising visibility and reputation of RIT abroad and the increasing demand for programs RIT offers.