Of the incoming freshmen, 33 were valedictorians, 27 were salutatorians and 520 had a high school GPA 4.0. Freshmen joining the UD Honors Program number 461.
“While the Class of 2011 has wonderful academic credentials (for example, there are more high scorers on the SAT and more students with 4.0 high school GPAs than we have ever enrolled before), we were struck by something else,” Lou Hirsh, director of admissions, said. “What their admissions essays reveal and what their letters of recommendation confirm is that these are exceptionally fascinating and talented people. They have loads of intellectual curiosity. This is not something you quantify with an SAT score or a GPA, but it is hugely important. These kids have lots to offer our faculty and lots to offer each other, and the Admissions Committee can't wait to see their impact on the campus."
Hirsh said that a record number of African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander students are enrolled in the Class of 2011.
“More than 18 percent of the class are students of color--the largest percentage we have ever enrolled at the University of Delaware,” he said. “The increases in African American and Hispanic American students were especially dramatic. Diversity is an important measure of academic excellence and it enhances everyone's education.”
Nearly four out of five members of the Class of 2011 participated in sports, more than two thirds were involved in volunteer work and nearly 60 percent were members of academic clubs. Students also were active in government, student newspapers, music and theatre.
Of the new freshmen class, 197 held the position of president of a group or organization while in high school, and 92 served as editors. The Class of 2011 also includes 668 who were captains of a team and 110 who held the position of first chair in an orchestra or musical ensemble.
About a third of the Class of 2011 (1,017) are from the First State, with the 2,431 out-of-state students including significant numbers from New Jersey (873), Pennsylvania (508), New York (493) and Maryland (305).
Eighteen foreign countries are represented in the Class of 2011, among them China, Ethiopia, India, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and Taiwan.
The most popular college of choice for the new students is Arts and Sciences, with 1,466 students, followed by Business and Economics (584), Health Sciences (480), Human Services, Education and Public Policy (476), Engineering (459), Agriculture and Natural Resources (178) and Marine and Earth Studies (3). The most popular majors include University studies, business administration, biological sciences, elementary education and nursing.
The average age of the freshman class is 18 years and five months. The youngest will enter UD at age 16, and the oldest is 62. Seven sets of twins and one set of triplets are beginning their studies on campus this semester.
Lauren is the most popular name for female freshmen entering UD this year, and Michael is the top name among male students.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson