Posted on April 12, 2007
More than 21,000 students submitted an application to be a member of the JMU class of 2011.
According to the Office of Admissions, applications to JMU increased 2 percent this year, with 21,000 applications submitted. In the last four years applications increased a total of 23 percent.
“For the last several years, the academic credentials of the incoming classes have steadily improved,” said director of admissions Michael Walsh. “Today the selection process at JMU is more competitive than four years ago.”
JMU students believe the increase in applicants include an increased interest in JMU as well as high-school students applying to more universities than in the past.
“I think it’s a little bit of both, but I definitely think interest in JMU is growing,” senior Jennifer Drogus said.
While some, like Drogus, attributed the rise to positive aspects such as growing interest, others disagree.
“I don’t think it’s more interest in JMU, I think it’s that people need a safety school,” freshman Natalie Wall said.
JMU’s programs also attract prospects.
Courtney Ream, who will be an upcoming freshman, was accepted early action and said JMU was her first choice.
“I wanted to come here for the marching band, the business program, and my cousin, who couldn’t stop talking about it,” she said.
JMU is also known for its people.
“It seemed so personable,” upcoming freshman Steve Bottari said
The rise in applications has caused some fear in high-school students. Bottari, worried about his application, even though he had a GPA of 3.65.
“I was a little nervous about not getting in,” he said.
Drogus said she has seen changes in the spring tours during her three years as a Student Ambassador. Drogus noted that the prospective students now see more of the campus, including UREC, and tours which once began at Sonner Hall, now begin at Festival to accommodate larger crowds.
Drogus said now is the prime time to give tours because high-school juniors are on Spring Break.
“We have at least 20 tour guides give four to five tours a day,” Drogus said.
Students aren’t the only ones noticing changes.
Professor Bruce Johnson has been part of the JMU faculty for 20 years and sees growth of the university as a good thing. For Johnson, the quality of his students has increased along with the quantity.
“Students are more serious about learning, and they work harder if pushed,” he said.
