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2013 ‘Among the Most Talented Classes’ Ever
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… And They’re More Likely to Stay College officials celebrated a major mile-
his year’s incoming class is one of the stone this fall—exceeding the 80 percent “most talented” and diverse ever, said benchmark for freshman-to-sophomore Joseph F. Grant, vice president for sturetention. dent affairs and enrollment. Mehran Nojan, director of institutional research, calculated the rate for last year’s Oswego received more than 10,500 freshfreshmen returning this fall at 81 percent. man applications, up 38.8 percent just That is near the 81.7 percent average for since 2005. This means the college has “selective” public institutions, as described been more selective with admissions, by ACT in its annual report “National accepting 47 percent this year compared to Collegiate Retention and Persistence to 56 percent four years ago. Degree Rates.” “Not only did we have a larger pool to “This is a tribute to the dedication of our draw from but, frankly, it was also one of faculty who are committed to working with Freshmen were welcomed to campus with the the most talented collections of applicaour students. It reflects the hard work of Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony, sponsored by tions we’ve ever seen,” Grant said. many, many people across the college,” the Oswego Alumni Association, in August. Oswego’s SAT score average of 1110 is said President Deborah F. Stanley. Many factors influenced the statistic. not only above the 1016 national mean but high above the 987 average in New York Among those within the college’s control, state, Grant said. Stanley cited Oswego’s many initiatives for The 198 Presidential Scholars in the freshman class had a mean 1240 SAT composite and freshmen—from the first-year advisement 94.4 high school average. program to the small-class initiative to the Meteorology major Patrick Cavlin ’13 came to campus for its beauty, unique weather and first-year residential experience—as well as his Presidential Scholarship. The honors student said he has enjoyed his experience so far. the extensive improvements in campus facili“I’m coming from a high school where I wasn’t in honors classes,” said Cavlin, a ties, buildings and grounds; the admission of native of Long Island. “They’re not harder, but they are more stimulating. The professors students who are better prepared academically; are excellent. They go out of their way to help you, some really nice individuals.” and the increasing collaboration of faculty Cavlin is already applying himself outside of the classroom as well, doing weather with students on scholarly and civic projects. broadcasts for WTOP-TV and WNYO-FM. He hopes to get more involved with the theatre The freshman-to-sophomore retention department as a lighting technician. rate is widely used as a key indicator for keeping students on track to their degrees. “Summer Orientation was a good sign that the quality of our entering class was quite Oswego’s has always been above the roughly strong,” Grant said. “The students were well-prepared, very articulate, very interested in 70 percent average for all public master’sbecoming involved in the college community.” level institutions. — Julie Harrison Blissert With a shrinking pool of graduating seniors statewide and increased efforts to attract a broad range of students, more are coming from farther away. The largest FRESH FACTS: home county among freshmen is Suffolk County on Long Island, which supplied more than 10 percent of the Class of 2013. 1,410 freshmen enrolled this fall. Having students from farther afield contributes to a larger and more diverse 10,500 applied residential community, Grant said. For example, 16 percent of incoming freshmen identified themselves as people of color. 765 freshmen received some level of merit Around 4,040 students took up residence on campus this fall. Grant estimates scholarship, including 198 Presidential Scholars that is about 800 more than a decade ago. “That vibrant residential community creates a lot of excitement and opportunity The overall academic profile for incoming for connections,” he said. students rose to an average high school Total head count enrollment in fall was more than 8,200 students, with around GPA of 90 and 1110 SAT score. 7,200 of them full time. — Tim Nekritz M ’05 Shane M. Liebler contributed
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