UCF Begins Record-Setting Fall Semester

By Chad Binette Aug. 24, 2009

Photo: UCF News File

The projected 3,800 new freshmen who started classes today posted an average high school GPA of 3.8 and SAT score of 1225.

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Even before they crack open their first books, new University of Central Florida students already have set several records.
 
The projected 3,800 new freshmen who start classes today posted an average high school GPA of 3.8 and an average SAT score of 1225, both the best in UCF’s history, according to preliminary enrollment data.
 
UCF also expects that the fall freshman class will include 55 newly enrolled National Merit Scholars – the second-highest number in the university’s history. UCF again expects to be ranked in the top 50 universities in the country for the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled.
 
UCF anticipates a total enrollment of about 52,000, up from 50,254 in fall 2008. There will be about 44,500 undergraduates on campus and about 7,500 graduate students.  Currently the fifth-largest university in the country, UCF expects to remain in the top five and possibly move up to fourth this fall.
 
Enrollment growth, which brings with it increased tuition revenue, will help UCF manage state budget cuts totaling $77.2 million since July 2007.
 
While freshman enrollment has remained level in recent years, UCF expects record demand from transfer students. UCF projects a fall enrollment of 4,700 new transfer students, including a record 4,200 from Florida community colleges.
 
About two-thirds of those new community college transfer students will enroll through “DirectConnect to UCF,” the largest university-community college partnership in the country.
 
Graduates of four area community colleges – Valencia, Seminole, Brevard and Lake-Sumter – are guaranteed admission to UCF. The university also works closely with the four community colleges to ease students’ transition to UCF by aligning services such as admissions, advising and financial aid.
 
Other highlights of the fall semester include:
 
-- Nearly 500 new freshmen attending UCF’s prestigious Burnett Honors College posted the top credentials in the college’s history with an average GPA of 4.2 and an average SAT score of 1373.
 
-- UCF ranked in the top five among national universities in the “Top Up-and-Coming Schools” list published this week by U.S. News & World Report. The list recognizes universities that “recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities.”
 
-- UCF again made U.S. News’ list of top 20 national universities from which students graduate with the least debt.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 5th largest in the nation with more than 50,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

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