New admissions standards are creating changes in the profile of the Ball State University student population. The profile now reflects a marked increase in the quality of new students. Admissions standards were increased for the entering freshman class of 1998. During that year the average class rank rose from the 60th percentile to the 65th percentile. The average for this past fall rose even more to the 67th percentile.

The average SAT score has also increased from 986 in 1997 to 1023 for the fall of 1999. Comparing that to national and state totals, in 1997 the national average for SAT scores was 1016 and the state average was 991. In the fall of 1999, the national average was 1016 and Indiana average was 994.

As the admissions standards have increased, there has been a decrease in enrollment from 3,980 in 1997 to 3,407 in 1999. However, applications for fall 2000 are currently 23.3 percent ahead of this time last year. The total number of students who have already been admitted to the university is 10.1 percent above last year.

Of the currently admitted students 31 are National Merit Scholars, five are National Achievement Scholars and 14 are National Hispanic Scholars. In the fall of 1999, we enrolled 15 National Merit Scholars and one National Hispanic Scholar.

There have also been significant increases in students admitted with distinction and to Honors College over the last two years. This year to date 804 students who are not eligible for admission have been referred to the Connect program with Ivy Tech.

The university's success in recruiting better students has been the result of the efforts of the admissions staff, many faculty and staff and increased incentives such as computers and scholarships. The competition for the best students is increasingly difficult.

These students are carefully comparing academic programs, campus environments and the incentives offered by many schools before making a final decision. They have high expectations of their collegiate experience both inside and outside the classroom. How we meet these expectations has the potential to continue to transform who we are as an institution and how we interact with our students.