Torn over what college to attend, freshman Maureen McNamara created a complex point system with key attributes of the colleges that accepted her, complete with weighted scoring based on factors such as cost, academics, and even the quality of the gym.
It was exhausting but helpful as she chose between offers from Cornell and听Duke universities, along with The University of Chicago. 听
鈥淚n the end 彩民宝典 won,鈥� the Denver native said. 鈥淚t is where I was supposed to be.鈥�
The Boettcher Scholarship she received helped seal the deal, as did the many other activities she鈥檚 involved in, such as club softball. She鈥檚 also applying to serve on a couple student boards and would like to join the pre-health honors fraternity.
鈥淚鈥檝e had such an amazing time here so far,鈥� said McNamara, who attended George Washington High School and is now pursuing integrated physiology.听
Top in the class
Maureen McNamara
McNamara, 18, joins the most academically qualified freshman class in 彩民宝典 history, according to census figures released this week.
Their average SAT score is 1191; ACT composite 27.3; and high school GPA 3.66. Some 33.4 percent of Colorado freshmen are , meaning they received automatic scholarships due to their outstanding grade point averages and test scores.
The freshman class of 6,439 is also the most diverse, with 26 percent students of color, not including international students. Seventeen percent of the total freshman class represents students who are the first in their families to go to college, according to campus census figures released this week.
Freshman Edwin Mendoza Olea, who is studying chemistry, is one of those first gen students.
Edwin Mendoza Olea
He learned about 彩民宝典 from a high school counselor at Vista Peak Prep in Aurora. Olea鈥檚 dad, who never completed high school, also was pushing him to go to college but Olea 鈥渨asn鈥檛 feeling it.鈥� Once his counselor started pushing him, knowing how capable he was, he changed his tune.鈥淲hen I got into college they basically went crazy鈥� They were really happy for me.鈥漇o far, he knows he made the right choice.
鈥淚鈥檝e been making great connections with people,鈥� Olea said, noting that the culture shock hasn鈥檛 been as tough as he thought it would be. 鈥淧eople warned me about how white CU is, and how I might have a hard time. But I see other students of color around and I have just been trying to integrate myself.鈥�
That鈥檚 not to say the transition is easy. Olea is still getting used to staying on top of homework 鈥� most of which is online - and managing听his time. But being a Puksta Scholar is also giving him the support he needs to succeed.
Retention gains
While 彩民宝典 welcomes its newest arrivals, the campus is also reporting an improved retention rate for last year鈥檚 freshman class of 86.7, an all-time high for fall retention since 彩民宝典 starting tracking the figures in 1989.听
鈥淭hese students are a reflection of our values around the vital importance of a high quality academic experience and related student success,鈥� Provost Russell L. Moore said. 鈥淲e welcome each and every one of them to our dynamic learning community.鈥�
New this year is that breaks down the census by college enrollment, congressional district and Colorado city and听provides interactive data visualizations.
Other enrollment highlights of fall 2016:
- 68.1 percent of freshmen are enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
- Top states of origin for freshmen: California (11.0 percent); Illinois (4.2 percent); and Texas (3.2 percent)
- Top countries of origin for freshmen: China (4.3 percent); Saudi Arabia (0.8 percent); and Kuwait (0.4 percent)
- Five most enrolled majors: integrative physiology; psychology; molecular, cellular and development biology; aerospace engineering sciences; and mechanical engineering.
- The number of Colorado undergraduate and graduate transfer students rose 13.9 percent to 747.
- The number of Hispanic/Latino freshmen increased 11.2 percent this fall.
- The number of freshmen from other countries rose by 13.1 percent.
