Spring Break
UW-L applicants exceed 7,000
Mary Malahy
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
UW-La Crosse has received over 7,000 applications for fall semester of 2008, a significant increase from past years.
Corey Sjoquist, UW-L Admissions Operation Manager, views this increase as a positive thing. "It is an indication to us that more students are interested in UW-La Crosse and it should be a good sign for the entire campus that good things are happening," Sjoquist said.
Chancellor Joe Gow is also enthused by the increase. "I think it is wonderful that prospective students are so attracted to UW-L," said Gow.
Applicants are up 9% from last year and about 20% compared to four or five years ago, according to Sjoquist.
According to the UW-Madison website, the school accepted 58% of their applicants in fall 2006. Sjoquist offered similar numbers for La Crosse with a 62% acceptance rate.
"The increase does make it a little more competitive for admissions and there is the possibility of an increase in the academic quality of the incoming students," Sjoquist said.
Along with the increased academic quality of incoming students, Gow said he looks forward to the possibility of having a more diverse student body.
The average freshman at UW-Madison ranked in the 86th to 96th percentile in their high school class with an ACT score between 26 and 30, according to the UW website. The average freshman ACT score at UW-L ranks between 23 and 27, while the average freshman ranks in the 73rd to 77th percentile in their graduating class.
Student Stephanie MacDonald transferred to La Crosse from Madison this semester.
"At Madison I just felt like I was a number and it didn't matter if I passed or failed," MacDonald said while explaining why she chose to transfer.
MacDonald was accepted to Madison as a high school senior she said. However, she was not accepted to La Crosse.
"After I got into Madison I assumed I would get into La Crosse so I wasn't nervous," MacDonald said. "I think it's an individual case each time."
While this change is viewed as a positive thing, Gow also has concerns.
"We have to be careful about how quickly we grow in enrollment," Gow said. "It also will be harder to be admitted and we wish that wasn't the case."
However, due to the Growth, Quality, and Access plan the school will be hiring more faculty and staff so class sizes will actually become smaller, Gow explained.
"We want to protect the personalized quality that draws people to come here," Gow said.
Gow credits the increased interest in UW-L to the friendly environment, talented students, and excellent faculty and staff.
"I think it's safe to say we're a hot school right now," said Gow.
Corey Sjoquist, UW-L Admissions Operation Manager, views this increase as a positive thing. "It is an indication to us that more students are interested in UW-La Crosse and it should be a good sign for the entire campus that good things are happening," Sjoquist said.
Chancellor Joe Gow is also enthused by the increase. "I think it is wonderful that prospective students are so attracted to UW-L," said Gow.
Applicants are up 9% from last year and about 20% compared to four or five years ago, according to Sjoquist.
According to the UW-Madison website, the school accepted 58% of their applicants in fall 2006. Sjoquist offered similar numbers for La Crosse with a 62% acceptance rate.
"The increase does make it a little more competitive for admissions and there is the possibility of an increase in the academic quality of the incoming students," Sjoquist said.
Along with the increased academic quality of incoming students, Gow said he looks forward to the possibility of having a more diverse student body.
The average freshman at UW-Madison ranked in the 86th to 96th percentile in their high school class with an ACT score between 26 and 30, according to the UW website. The average freshman ACT score at UW-L ranks between 23 and 27, while the average freshman ranks in the 73rd to 77th percentile in their graduating class.
Student Stephanie MacDonald transferred to La Crosse from Madison this semester.
"At Madison I just felt like I was a number and it didn't matter if I passed or failed," MacDonald said while explaining why she chose to transfer.
MacDonald was accepted to Madison as a high school senior she said. However, she was not accepted to La Crosse.
"After I got into Madison I assumed I would get into La Crosse so I wasn't nervous," MacDonald said. "I think it's an individual case each time."
While this change is viewed as a positive thing, Gow also has concerns.
"We have to be careful about how quickly we grow in enrollment," Gow said. "It also will be harder to be admitted and we wish that wasn't the case."
However, due to the Growth, Quality, and Access plan the school will be hiring more faculty and staff so class sizes will actually become smaller, Gow explained.
"We want to protect the personalized quality that draws people to come here," Gow said.
Gow credits the increased interest in UW-L to the friendly environment, talented students, and excellent faculty and staff.
"I think it's safe to say we're a hot school right now," said Gow.
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