Although numbers are still preliminary, the composite ACT score for this fall’s class is 25.0, well above the national average of 21.1 (from 2011). UofL’s freshman ACT scores have steadily increased over the last decade and from 1999 to 2010 UofL had a 13 percent increase in scores, the largest among all Kentucky public institutions, according to calculations of publicly accessible data from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
UofL President James Ramsey said that bringing top-notch students to the university has been a high priority, and this year’s numbers are especially gratifying.
“We continue to attract the very best students from across the Commonwealth and provide them with an opportunity to be academically successful as evidenced by our record increase in graduates and graduation rates,” he said.
Other preliminary numbers (all based on full-time, degree-seeking students) that distinguish this fall’s freshman class include:
- 22 percent are minorities
- 48 percent have earned some college credits
- 70 percent are living on campus
- 36 U.S. states are represented
- 84 percent are from Kentucky
- 41 percent are from Jefferson County
- 2,657 current enrollees; if this number becomes official, the 2012 freshman will be the largest in recent UofL history, breaking the previous record of 2,548 set in 2008.
“We are all excited about the accomplishments of our incoming students, but it was a total university effort,” said Jenny Sawyer, executive director of admissions.
“Many staff, the faculty, the administration and our current students are our ambassadors every day. They take time to meet prospective students, take them to lunch, walk them around and tell them stories about our opportunities. We have alumni and community partners like UPS who refer students to us and provide funds for college. Everyone should take pride in this accomplishment,” she said.
