Campus receives record number of applications for fall

The enrollment picture for fall looks very promising based on the record number of applications received so far at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, according to Christopher Tremblay, executive director of enrollment management.

“We broke 4,000 prospective freshman applications for the first time in UM-Dearborn’s history,” said Tremblay, who attributes the increase to the university’s continuing efforts not only in the recruitment and admissions process, but also in the campus’s marketing program and in the outreach activities in the academic units.

“The last time we broke a record was Fall 2008 when we received 3,843 freshman applications,” Tremblay said.  “Increasing the number of applicants is obviously key to meeting the campus’s goal of enrolling more students.”

In addition, applications from potential transfer students are at an all-time high, up 35 percent at 1,611 applications for this fall, compared with 1,193 received for Fall 2009 on this same date, he noted.

“And as of June 1, we had the largest percentage increase in transfer applications in the state,” Tremblay said.

Though it’s a tough time financially for many in Michigan, the record application numbers suggest that UM-Dearborn’s commitment to help students achieve their college education dreams is working.  Students and their families seem to be getting the message that a Michigan degree still is an affordable investment in their future and the future of the region.

Applications for federal student aid are up 20 percent and the campus’s financial aid offers are up 15 percent compared to this time last year.  In addition, merit scholarship offers for incoming freshmen are up 14 percent, an indication of a more highly-qualified applicant pool.

Attendance at freshman orientation indicates that the quality of the freshman class has increased.  It is expected that the freshman class high school grade point average will be close to a 3.6.