• Irish first-years' skills span academic, social spectrum
By ERIN LaRUFFA
Assistant News Editor
Carting boxes, suitcases and pieces of furniture, the class of 2004 moved into Notre Dame's residence halls this week. Along with their personal belongings, these students brought impressive resumes to the University.
The class of 2004 has a mean SAT score of 1341 and mean ACT score of 30. The average student graduated in the top 6 percent of his or her high school class.
Academics are not the only area in which these students excelled during their years in high school. Seventy-two percent lettered in at least one varsity sport, while another 37 percent captained at least one sports team. Forty-four percent were involved in art, dance, music or drama. Six percent were student body or senior class presidents and 12 percent were editors of their high school's student newspaper. An impressive 88 percent were involved in community service.
Members of the class of 2004 come from all 50 states, with the largest portion — 40 percent — coming from the midwest. Ethnic minorities are 17 percent of the class, and international students account for another 3 percent. About 84 percent of the class is Catholic, and 24 percent are children of alumni.
The class of 2004 is one of the most impressive in Notre Dame history, according to assistant provost for enrollment Dan Saracino.
"Notre Dame is appealing more and more to successful students," he said.
Saracino described the applicant pool of 10,054 as "the largest in [Notre Dame] history." Notre Dame admitted 34 percent, and about 57 percent of admitted students enrolled.
"There are less than 10 universities in the country who admit less than half of their applicants and enroll more than half of those they admit," noted Saracino.
That is particularly impressive considering that a typical Notre Dame applicant applies to six schools and can expect to be admitted to four or five of those, said Saracino.
The University was able to meet demonstrated financial need for all incoming students, according to Joseph Russo, director of Financial Aid, with an average University-based scholarship was $13,000. Approximately 770 incoming freshmen received a total of $10 million, up from $8.3 million to the class of 2003.
"This is the largest amount of support ever provided to a freshman class," said Russo.
"We're very pleased to have contributed to the most outstanding freshman class in the history of the University."
Both Saracino and Russo agreed that scholarships were key in getting admitted students to commit to Notre Dame.
"Additional financial aid ... has played a significant role in our success," Saracino said.
All News Stories for Saturday, August 19, 2000
