<p>I have a question about Denison's size. According to the web site ("Fast Facts"), Denison has 2050 undergraduates. But my daughter's letter of admission says, "we seek to enroll a First year class of 650 students." Four classes of 650 students would be 2600 students ...</p>
<p>Are they trying to grow the student body by that much?</p>
<p>Good question. Last year’s was 550.</p>
<p>I got a nice and helpful response to my question from Perry Robinson at Denison. He commented that last year he thinks they aimed for a class of 585. In any case, they are seeking a larger class than in the last few years because they had shrunk their classes over the last 3 years in order to drop their overall enrollment from about 2300 to 2030, and now want to get it up to 2080 or so. So, yes, they are seeking to enroll a bigger class this year, and are hoping in the future to hold it at about 600-625.</p>
<p>What an informative, possibly insightful response. Would seem to illustrate aggressive enrollment/revenue/capacity management that has many possible ramifications. Selectivity, cash in the door, space and faculty utilization, etc. No doubt this has become ever more challenging with the demise of the investment market, even though DU was better positioned than a great many others. And of course the main point it illustrates is that DU CAN use these variables in various ways. So many are left to the vagaries of the admissions winds. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>I thought you all might like this info received by DD1 at school. Among other info from the Dean about the buildings going up and attempts to keep costs down was this info about class size:</p>
<p>“Several years ago, Denison decided that the college had grown a little larger than we’d like. So we started on a gradual enrollment reduction. Our target enrollment for next year is the same as this year: 2080, one hundred and thirty-three students fewer than in the fall of 2005 when our current seniors began. After bringing in three “small” classes in a row in order to reduce total enrollment quickly, the Class of 2013 will be more similar in size to this year’s graduating senior class and to the classes that preceded it. One of the advantages of having an enrollment under 2100 rather than over 2200 is that there is much more flexibility in campus housing. In fact, during the same period that the student body declined by 133, Denison added 112 new apartment-style bed spaces in Wright, Hayes, and the two Elms. Last year was the first in memory where at the end of senior lottery, two or three apartments were yet unclaimed. This year, as is occasionally the case, rising sophomore housing assignments will come in two waves. Most assignments are made the night of lottery. The balance are confirmed by mid-summer so that all are housed well in advance of the year ahead. Having a surplus of residence hall spaces also makes room changes easier once the fall semester has begun.”</p>
<p>Interesting, especially in light of the numbers illustrated in this thread, but 17 May 2009, Denison was reported in a piece in the Columbus paper as being “ahead” of enrollment projections for this spring with 661? That seems rather high.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig, then why did they list themsleves on the NACAC survey as having space available and financial aid available?</p>
<p>[Space</a> Availability Survey Results 2009](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/PublicationsResources/Research/SpaceAvailabiltySurvey/Pages/SpaceSurveyResults.aspx]Space”>http://www.nacacnet.org/PublicationsResources/Research/SpaceAvailabiltySurvey/Pages/SpaceSurveyResults.aspx)</p>
<p>They were not listed when the list first came out (around 5/5), but are now listed on
5/17?</p>
<p>Well, not sure what the current enrollment number has to do with space availability, in absence of knowing what the # is. 
</p>
<p>I give. Why?</p>
<p>I must be missing something. Whistle Pig, you mentioned that you read that they are ahead in enrollment projections this year. Frankly, that is what I would have expected. What I found unexpectedly is that they say that they have current availability. If they are ahead in enrollment projections, why would they still be looking for more students?</p>
<p>
Yes, in today’s Columbus paper. The article indicated Denison was at 661 and slightly ahead in their enrollment projections. Not sure if they meant “ahead” relative to last year @ this time? Or relative to some internal date-specific target? or some other interpretation.</p>
<p>I have no idea what it means that DU is on the NACAC site. I’d be willing to bet that it does NOT imply that DU remains open to applicants. Does it mean they are still accepting some from wait list? That would be surprising if the 661 figure is precise and accurate. Perhaps there is some “shrinkage” in this #, i.e. those who’ve paid and reverse their field perhaps as they gain admission to another, preferred institution?</p>
<p>You asked me “why” and I’ve no clue. I thought you might have an idea of answer to your question. Perhaps some others have an idea as to why they’d be included on that list. Similarly, I saw Lafayette and some other highly selective institutions on the list. I’ve no idea what this means.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig, thanks anyway. No, I don’t know why they are on the list. I thought this list means that: 1. there are seats open 2. It lists if the seats open are for freshmen, transfers or both 3. lets folks know if financial aid is also still available 4. informs as to whether housing is still available</p>
<p>Yes, there are some fine schools on this list. I don’t think that being on the list takes anything away from the school. I just can’t understand why they are saying that there are empty seats if enrollment is ahead of projections.</p>