Mississippi State University, the largest university in the state, has set many records for incoming freshmen class. Although enrollment is down from 1,777 freshmen last year to approximately 1,759 this year, ACT scores have increased.
This year’s average ACT score for freshmen is 23.8, up from last year’s 23.5 and four points higher than the Mississippi average. Mississippi’s average score is 19.8 which is lower than the national average of 21.8.
Freshmen entering in MSU during the 2000 year averaged 23.1. In 1996, MSU freshmen had an ACT score of 23.7.
“Freshmen are getting smarter,” Tameka Johnson, a freshman studying biology, said.
“I think the thought of reality is really setting in,” MSU freshmen Avia Johnson said about people’s understanding of the advantages of a college degree and education.
MSU freshman Robin Majure made above average on her ACT scores and she said she believes that going to a private high school may have helped her.
“Standardized tests have been around for so long that teachers are teaching for them,” senior microbiology major, Chris Miles said.
“We have consistently had the highest ACT score in a public university in the state of Mississippi,” enrollment counselor Eric Graham said.
The average GPA for this fall’s freshmen was 3.17 on college prep course, a slight increase from last year.
This fall’s freshman class may includes of 38 National Merit Scholars, up from last year.
Last year, Mississippi produced 127 National Merit Scholars. MSU had 29 of 60 National Merit Scholars that went to college in the state of Mississippi and was among the top 10 percent of the nation’s public institutions in National Merit Scholars.
There was a 7.5 percent increase of freshman students who have an ACT score of 28 or higher.
Another records have been set for incoming freshmen as well.
This year there has been a 9 percent increase of black freshmen from last year.
In 2002, 18 percent of the incoming freshmen class is black which is the same number among the whole student population at MSU.
There was a decrease of Mississippi resident freshmen from 78 percent in 1996 to 71 percent this year.
MSU has gained 15 more out-of-state students over last year.
Freshmen retention increased last year with more than 80 percent of freshmen returning to MSU for their sophomore year.
Freshmen enrollment has increased by 25 percent in the College of Engineering. Biological and mechanical engineering are the most popular majors among the 10 bachelor’s degree programs available to the 434 new College of Engineering freshmen which included 23 percent women.
Graham believes the recruiting services at Mississippi State University are a large reason why MSU attracts more top quality students.
Graham gives great recognition to the roadrunners. “[Roadrunners] prove to students we want them to be here,” Graham said.
Joe Farris, director of University Relations, said that MSU makes an effort to reach all students.
“We make a conscience effort to reach all students,” Farris said. “However we do want to reach those who are more academically talented.”
“Roadrunners make students feel they are wanted. It’s reflected in the numbers,” said Graham.
University officials are using every resource available to reach more academically talented students either with scholarships or will maintaining strong academic programs.