by Nune Gazdhyan
Features Editor
The freshman class of 1999 is touted as having the highest academic record and test scores in 10 years.
The average grade point for this class is 3.3, an increase from last year’s class GPA of 3.2.
Lisa Meyer, director of admissions, said, “Having a large class of talented students is a good reminder that ULV [University of La Verne] offers an education that students are interested in. It’s a vote of confidence.”
The total number of new students, including transfer students, is 453. There are 344 traditional undergraduate freshman, and 109 transfer students.
“The [academic] growth is planned and adds new resources for funding improvements in academic programs, services and facilities,” President Stephen Morgan said.
The female to male ratio is 54 to 46 percent, totaling 244 females and 209 males. This year’s class is 35 percent Caucasian, 35 percent Latino, 10 percent African American, 1 percent Native American and 11 percent other, including international students and students who do not wish to declare their ethnicity.
“This year’s class represents an outstanding group of students. They are a diverse group with excellent qualifications,” Dr. Morgan said.
The entering transfer students had an average GPA of 2.9, which is an increase from last year’s 2.8.
“The thing to remember is that they [transfer students] are coming here from colleges and it’s a tougher grade to earn,” Meyer said.
Forty percent of freshmen had a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 1,000 or above.
Freshman Freddy Ochoa decided to attend ULV because of its small class size and he felt that here he would not be treated “as a number.”
According to Meyer, the admissions office first researched to determine the students that were interested in ULV, then followed up with mailings and school visits instead of just mass mailings.
This year’s admissions staff, which recruited and admitted students, is compiled of nine people, seven of whom are new to ULV. Currently, Meyer is looking to fill one more position.
The financial aid office also played a major role in attracting students to ULV.
Ed Mervine, director of financial aid, said, “We tried to get award letters out early and be responsive to student inputs.”
Meyer said there is a trend of more students attending college than ever before. This trend is impacting ULV as well.
“I believe our growth and improved quality will provide numerous opportunities for ULV’s continued development as an outstanding university in Southern California,” Dr. Morgan said.
