Denison readies for Class of 2021 June Orientations
For the third year in a row, the Denison University admission team has set a record for applications, with more than 7,500 applicants for the Class of 2021, up 10 percent from last year, and up more than 58 percent over the past three years. The larger number of applications precipitated an all-time low admission rate of 37 percent. All this, while maintaining and even improving the academic profile of our students. The Denison Class of 2021 holds a continuing median ACT score of 29, while the Class median SAT reading score is up 10 points to 640 and its median SAT math score is up 20 points to 650. The percent of the Class of 2021 that will graduate in the top quarter of their high school class is up to 85 percent.
Denison's commitment to diversity remains strong, as well. Total multicultural enrollment of the class is 34 percent, increased from 32 percent. In addition, 19 percent of the incoming class consists of students who are the first in their family to go to college, up from 17 percent last year, and 22 percent of the class is Pell eligible, up from 18 percent last year.
"We had an extraordinary year and I could not be more proud to lead this incredible admission and financial aid team," said Gregory Sneed, vice president for Enrollment Management.
Denison President Adam Weinberg credits this success to the college's strategic plan, outstanding faculty, and a top-notch admission team.
"Denison's new academic programs and expansion of global programs are attracting attention," he said. "Construction of the Eisner Center for Performing Arts is exciting students who are interested in the arts but who want more than a conservatory experience. The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration is assuring parents and many students that we are focused on making sure graduates are ready for jobs and graduate schools. Our work supporting first-year students is gaining more and more attention among influencers."
Members of the Denison faculty are scholars at the top of their fields who are committed to excellence in teaching and mentorship. "During April Visit days, a parent told me that her daughter had re-visited her top three choices to ask students a simple question, 'How do the faculty work with the students?' She told me that the responses of Denison students were qualitatively different. They 'raved' about the faculty. Her daughter is coming to Denison," said Weinberg.
After much research, the Office of Admission has refined and shifted strategy over the past two years. The college has continued its commitment to a need-blind admission process, and also has been able to provide more funding to qualified students. "I am incredibly proud to report that we met the full demonstrated financial need of every single student we admitted — domestic and international," said Weinberg. "We have an extraordinary group of professionals working in the Offices of Admission and Financial Aid that helped to make this possible."
The college looks forward to welcoming first-year students during June Orientation sessions, as well as orientations in August, before the Induction Ceremony that formally will welcome the Class of 2021 on Thursday, August 24.
Originally built as a bowling alley, the Nest now serves as a casual dining, hang-out, and event space.