From Kenyon's web site 2/14/05

Colleges & Universities A-Z Kenyon College
1

<p>Amazing Forecast </p>

<p>GAMBIER, Ohio (February 14. 2005)– Interdisciplinary in their academic interests, intellectually engaged, international in both experience and outlook . . . . these are just a few of the attributes displayed by the candidates applying to enter Kenyon's Class of 2009. "It's a wonderfully diverse and vibrant group," notes Jennifer Delahunty Britz, dean of admissions and financial aid.</p>

<p>The 2004 presidential election coverage featuring Kenyon seems to have attracted a larger group of students who are politically aware. "We are surprised by the number of students who mention in their applications and interviews that they heard about Kenyon during the election," says Britz. </p>

<p>Not only is the class one of the most interesting to cross admissions officers' desks, it is also the largest and most academically able. Despite a two-week earlier application deadline, 2.5 percent more students applied to Kenyon this year, continuing a five-year trend of increases. (The College has experienced a more than 90 percent increase in applications during the past five years.) The admissions staff will evaluate nearly 3,900 applications by April 1 for the 435 spots in the first-year class. </p>

<p>Among the most positive developments in the admissions picture, according to Britz, are that applications from students of color increased by 11 percent. The percentage of students of color in Kenyon's applicant pool has increased steadily over the past five years, from 8.4 percent in 2001 to 13.9 percent in 2005.</p>

<p>Kenyon also saw significant growth in Early Decision applications, with an increase of 14 percent over last year. The number of applicants using the Early Decision option has more than doubled over the last five years. Students admitted from the Early Decision pool include residents from across the states, including Alaska and Wyoming. Also admitted from the Early Decision pool was the first recipient of Kenyon's Presidential Book Award, who hails from Philadelphia. “Clearly, Kenyon is more students' first choice,” comments Britz.</p>

<p>The academic qualifications of this year's applicants have reached a new high. Mean combined SAT scores rose 23 points this year, registering a 50-point rise over the past five years. The percentage of students ranked in the top 10 percent of their class has increased steadily over five years, with 55.4 percent of the current pool having that status.</p>

<p>Applicants will hear from the Kenyon admissions office by April 1, 2005, and will be invited to campus during April for special admitted-student visit programs.</p>

2

<p>So many applicants... this makes me nervous that I won't be admitted. Aaiieee!!</p>

3

<p>I'm so excited to be a part of that. Is Kenyon your first choice, Ainsley?</p>

4

<p>I think admissions offices like to brag about the number of applicants they receive, but in reality it may simply reflect that kids are applying to more schools due to the prevalence of Common Application and the general hysteria surrounding the college application process. It seems to me that a more interesting picture will emerge when and if they release honest statistics about the percent of students who actually end up attending.</p>

5

<p>weenie - what you say is true, except in the case of the Early Decision applicants who are committing themselves to attend by applying ED. It says that ED applicants were up 14%, but it does not say how many were admitted or what percent of the total class will be from the ED group. If you look on the Kenyon website under Admissions - "Who studies at Kenyon?" It does give "honest statistics" on how many applied, how many were admitted, and how many chose to attend for last year's class.</p>

6

<p>lainey- I haven't decided on a definite first choice, but I would love to attend Kenyon if I was admitted. What about you?</p>

7

<p>Hi again :) yes, I plan on going to Kenyon - I was accepted ED II.</p>