Contact: Joe Farris
The largest group of transfer students in Mississippi State history is contributing to the sixth consecutive record enrollment as the main campus topped 16,000 for the first time and the statewide total climbed to 16,878.
University enrollment at Starkville is 16,066, while the Meridian Campus is up slightly to 730. The remaining students are in graduate programs at Vicksburg and the Stennis Space Center at Bay St. Louis.
The 1,777 new freshmen reported an average American College Test composite score of 23.5, up from 23.1 last fall. About 22 percent of the entering class scored 28 or higher on the ACT, with 32 National Merit Scholars and two National Achievement Scholars.
State community college graduates make up the largest group among the record 1,692 transfer students entering Mississippi State this fall. Traditionally, about half of those receiving bachelor's degrees at MSU begin their studies elsewhere, most often at a Mississippi community college.
"We're extremely pleased with the close working relationship we have with the community colleges throughout the state," said MSU President Malcolm Portera. "Their graduates have demonstrated that they can succeed here academically and have an excellent graduation rate at Mississippi State."
About 76 percent of MSU students are Mississippi residents and 18 percent are African-American. Graduate enrollment is up to 3,274.
Portera said improved academic preparation among entering freshmen as reflected by the higher average ACT score is a welcome sign that prospective students are getting the message about what it takes to succeed at Mississippi State.
For the first time this fall, entering freshmen with neither 2.5 high school grade-point averages on required courses nor composite ACT scores of 21 are getting special support and counseling.
The at-risk students will be assisted by the University Academic Advising Center during their freshman year and will take a restricted course load, including a basic study skills course. They also will not be allowed to select a major before completing 30 credit hours of basic courses.
Admission requirements at Mississippi State are the same as those at all state universities and are set by the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning.
May 1, 2002, is the application deadline for students seeking admission to Mississippi State as freshmen for the fall 2002 semester. Transfer students have until Aug. 1, 2002, to apply for admission next fall.
The earlier applications deadlines are consistent with those at regional peer institutions and will allow the university to plan better the class schedule for the busy fall semester, when class space and available instructors are at a premium.
"Although the number of faculty members at Mississippi State has increased over the past three years, keeping pace with the enrollment growth is an ongoing challenge, and that has been compounded this year by the reduction in state funding," said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Cole. "I will be speaking with the president about the possibility that we might initiate a cap on entering freshman enrollment."