First-time Freshman Enrollment Jumps

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LAFAYETTE – Freshman summer enrollment is up by 60 percent at UL Lafayette, compared to last summer.

Dr. DeWayne Bowie, UL Lafayette’s vice president for enrollment management, attributes the higher numbers to students who sought admission before tougher academic entrance standards go into effect for the Fall 2012 semester. Previously, the university was able to admit students who needed only one remedial course.

“The big change this fall is that we can no longer admit freshmen who need a remedial course. This summer was their last opportunity,” he explained.

For more than a year, university officials have been advising prospective students of the upcoming change in admission standards and the opportunity to enroll during the Summer 2012 session. “Prospective students who needed a remedial course responded by enrolling in greater numbers this summer,” Bowie said.

University officials originally forecast that the tougher academic requirements could mean about a 30 percent decrease in first-time freshmen for the Fall 2012 semester. They now expect a more robust freshman presence on campus when classes start in August.
 
“Our Fall 2012 freshman class will be larger than initially projected because of an increase in freshman applications and because of the increase in freshman summer enrollment,” Bowie said.

For information about enrolling at UL Lafayette, phone Admissions at (337) 482-6473 or go to http://admissions.louisiana.edu/basics/