<p>Macalester has indicated that they are now expecting a larger incoming class than originally anticipated. They have already added two more first-year course sections to accommodate the numbers. Is there any additional news regarding the impact of the larger class?</p>
<p>Haven’t heard any news, but it does appear that the expected class size must be greater than 512 (32 freshman seminars X 16 spots/seminar) and less than 544 (2 new seminars adding 32 additional spots).</p>
<p>Also, Mac’s target is 480/class, but class size has ranged from a high of 513 in 2003 to a low of 481 last fall. Since last year was the lowest year, residential halls can probably more easily accommodate this year’s larger class (and there is likely to be some summer melt). I don’t forsee a major effect.</p>
<p>I spoke to the admissions people a few weeks ago. They confirmed that they had 600 students matriculate. This is far more students than they expected but they think everything will be ok. They know they will lose some students over the summer and the housing office feels that they can accomodate all of the new students without any issues. It would appear that Macalester changed their “Yield” formula in response to the lower number of students applying this year. Let’s hope they have their act together come fall.</p>
<p>Wow, 20% more students than in any other year. That impacts absolutely everything - class schedules and availability, housing, food service, special opportunities, etc, etc… I hope that it doesn’t come down to kids in the lounges, kids not being able to get the classes they need to graduate in four years, etc., etc.</p>
<p>My son has a Navy ROTC scholarship, which requires him to be at the University of Minnesota on Tuesdays and Thursdays for most of the day (only one class period on TR at MAC will fit into the schedule). He had enough trouble finding enough classes (which would count toward general requirements or his major) on MWF to complete the freshman class registration form. Now I am really worried.</p>
<p>Have they posted the class size (“600 students matriculate”) on a website? Is this really the official number of students who have made deposits? Or is it an interim number (e.g., number of students offered admission?) If so, what is the usual “melt” (number of students who don’t actually show up in September)?</p>
<p>This large an “over-shoot” would be surprising unless it was intentional given earlier year’s class sizes, or a plan to increase enrollment for some purpose (revenue needed)?</p>
<p>The “600” is the actual number of student who sent in deposits for enrollment for fall semester. As I said earlier, admissions feels that this number will decrease as some students do send in deposits to more than one school and some students may get off waitlists at other schools. However, I can’t imaging the number will get down to the desired 480. Perhaps someone else would like to call and get an updated number? I would expect by now that the fallout of waitlisted student should be near completion.</p>
<p>Another first-year seminar has just been added. Count in a few more students.</p>
<p>From Mac summer student workers rumor mill…</p>
<p>Larger than normal class size 560-580</p>
<p>Dupre will become first-year dorm (Turck and Doty always were freshmen only. Dupre used to have a mix of freshmen and the sophomores with low room draw numbers.)</p>
<p>[Rise</a> in private college tuition at 31-year low](<a href=“http://www.startribune.com/local/51147622.html]Rise”>http://www.startribune.com/local/51147622.html) - 590 freshmen projected</p>
<p>Macalester planned for 500 new students, as it has for several years. But now it projects 590. “More students said yes,” Rosenberg said. “Plus, retention’s higher than we would have predicted. It’s very good news for us.” From Star-Trib link</p>