Enrollment boost, record-setting diversity in entering class

Calvin College is seeing a boost in first-year enrollment and record-setting numbers of both minority and international students in its 2011 incoming class.
The first-time-in-any-college (FTIAC) and transfer student populations are up three percent from 2010. Calvin College's entering class totals 1,067 students, 961, of which are first-year, 106 of which are transfer students. This marks Calvin's largest incoming class since 2007.
As one of the nation's leading Christian colleges, Calvin drew students from more than 30 different denominational backgrounds for this fall's class; students from the Christian Reformed Church comprise the largest group, coming in at just under 40 percent.
The incoming class has demonstrated very strong academic performance; their average ACT score is 26, their average GPA is 3.6.
The 2011 class is also marked by record-setting numbers of both multicultural and international students. Minority students make up 16 percent of the incoming class, and international students (which include U.S. students living abroad) make up 14 percent, both highs for Calvin.
"We are grateful that such a large, academically excellent, and diverse group of students chose to attend Calvin this year," said Russ Bloem, Calvin's vice president for enrollment management. "Students who come to Calvin can expect to engage Grand Rapids and to connect globally while learning from some of the top faculty in their fields. It is great to see such a fine group of students recognize this and come to join our Christ-centered community."
Calvin's total enrollment for 2011-2012 stands at 3,967 students. Students hail from 53 countries, 46 states and the District of Columbia, and six Canadian provinces. Just over half of the students are from Michigan.
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Received on Tue Sep 20 09:24:00 2011