Incoming class shaping up to surpass targets
Reception of 772 deposits means more budget cuts look less likely
By: Andrew Maddocks
Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: News
The University hired a new consulting firm that suggested adjusting financial aid packages, and Casey said the change might have helped.
During the application review process, Niles said she realized more students would be asking for financial aid following the economic downturn and a 4.5 percent increase in tuition.
Therefore, the administration wanted to avoid cutting the financial aid budget. Instead, Niles said they targeted a larger incoming class to help meet the tuition revenue needed for next year's budget.
Liberal arts colleges in the Great Lakes College Association were raising tuitions 3 to 6 percent, Niles said, in one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory. Many expected lower yields, and Niles said informal conversations with colleagues indicated their predictions are coming true.
The expected decreased numbers never manifested themselves at DePauw.
"We're in a much more solid position than many of them [Great Lakes colleges]," Niles said.
A record 4,700 students applied, and just over 2,900 were admitted - an acceptance rate about 1 percent higher than last year.
Now the administration's focus shifts to preparation for next year. Wells said he is no longer concerned about falling short of the metaphorical aircraft carrier's runway, or admitting too few students to meet the budget's revenue goal.
He said he was worried instead about overshooting the deck and straining housing capacity with a class well over 700 students.
Niles said she learned from conversations with colleagues in housing that capacity should not be a problem.
Good feeling is pervasive in the admissions office for the combat crew on the aircraft carrier's deck.
"After working so closely with these incoming students for up to two years, to see them commit is a very good feeling," Niles said.
During the application review process, Niles said she realized more students would be asking for financial aid following the economic downturn and a 4.5 percent increase in tuition.
Therefore, the administration wanted to avoid cutting the financial aid budget. Instead, Niles said they targeted a larger incoming class to help meet the tuition revenue needed for next year's budget.
Liberal arts colleges in the Great Lakes College Association were raising tuitions 3 to 6 percent, Niles said, in one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory. Many expected lower yields, and Niles said informal conversations with colleagues indicated their predictions are coming true.
The expected decreased numbers never manifested themselves at DePauw.
"We're in a much more solid position than many of them [Great Lakes colleges]," Niles said.
A record 4,700 students applied, and just over 2,900 were admitted - an acceptance rate about 1 percent higher than last year.
Now the administration's focus shifts to preparation for next year. Wells said he is no longer concerned about falling short of the metaphorical aircraft carrier's runway, or admitting too few students to meet the budget's revenue goal.
He said he was worried instead about overshooting the deck and straining housing capacity with a class well over 700 students.
Niles said she learned from conversations with colleagues in housing that capacity should not be a problem.
Good feeling is pervasive in the admissions office for the combat crew on the aircraft carrier's deck.
"After working so closely with these incoming students for up to two years, to see them commit is a very good feeling," Niles said.
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