SPENCER OSWALD/Assistant Photo Editor
NICOLE ALBERTSON
News Assistant
Each year, a new freshman class is introduced to Pepperdine. New students decorate their dorm rooms, learn about chapel and realize that there are more GE classes than major requirements. But aside from the general shock of entering college and saying goodbye to their high school years, they are entering Pepperdine with a larger academic advantage than the classes preceding them.
Every freshman class since 2003 has entered Pepperdine with a higher average SAT and high school GPA than the previous year. In 2003, the 615 admitted students averaged a 3.6 GPA and 1194 on the SATs. The 703 students admitted in Fall 2006 raised the bar by boasting a 3.68 GPA and 1233 SAT score.
According to Associate Dean of Enrollment Michael Truschke, the new students, while their statistics have yet to be fully computed, are sure to encourage Pepperdine’s upward trend.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the average high school GPA for newly enrolled freshmen students for Fall 2007 will be very close to the 3.68 GPA of the enrolled freshmen class for Fall 2006,” Truschke said. “The same can be said about the average SAT scores for the new freshmen class.”
But one score remaining steady since 2003 has been an ACT score of 26.
“The average ACT score has increased over the years, just at a more gradual rate,” said Truschke. “Fewer students that apply and enroll at Seaver College take the ACT. Applicants to Seaver predominantly take the SAT. The Admission Office places equal emphasis on the SAT and the ACT. It is a student’s choice as to which standardized exam they choose to take.”
While college admissions and applications have always been a challenge, the incoming classes are not only conquering the standardized test but also the lengthy essays that haunt college applications and the extra activities that individualize a submission.
“Academic preparation is certainly a main factor when admitting a new class each year,” Truschke said. “Other important factors are considered in the admission process. The new class beginning this fall is an academically prepared and talented group of students and individuals. I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on campus.”
In preparation for their college experience, the freshman class is taking extra measures to earn their college acceptance letters.
“I had a 4.4 GPA in high school,” freshman Laura Zoradi said. “ I had a college counselor and I took AP classes.”
The new Waves are also benefiting from their hard work in High school, as many of their AP classes transfer into Pepperdine credits.
“I took a lot of AP classes in high school and three of the credits transferred,” freshman Vanessa Tan said, including credits from AP History and Science classes.
Part of this new trend is due to Pepperdine’s growing distinction and reputation.
“Pepperdine’s reputation and stature grows each year as we mature as an institution,” said Truschke. “As a result, the quality of students attracted to the school continues to increase. My prediction for Fall 2008 is that we will have another talented and impressive applicant pool in which to select the next generation of Waves.”
08-27-2007