Graphic by Chelsea Bellomy/Old Gold & Black
On Aug. 21, Wake Forest welcomed the class of 2019 to campus. The group of 1,290 students is the biggest freshman class in Wake Forest’s history.
Last year, the class of 2018 was the biggest in the university’s history, with 1,287 students, a small increase from the 1,230 students enrolled in 2013. This slight upward trend in enrollment led the university to begin plans for a new freshman dorm this summer, to be completed in 2017.
This was also the most selective year in admissions for Wake Forest. The school received 13,282 applications for the 2015-2016 school year, up from just over 11,000 last year.
“This year we experienced an unprecedented increase in admissions applications for an enrolling class of 1,290, making this also the most selective year in Wake Forest admissions history,” said Martha Allman, dean of admissions. “We are expecting great things of this class!”
The class of 2019 is also one of the most racially and ethnically diverse. Ten percent of students in the class are international, and 30 percent are minority students.
This is an area that has seen significant increase over the past few years. In 2014, roughly 30 percent of the freshman class were minority students. However, just two years ago, only 24 percent of the incoming freshman class were minority students.
Across the whole undergraduate campus, around 25 percent of students were minority students in 2014. The increase in the percentage of incoming freshmen who are minority students aims to raise the overall percentage of minority students on campus over the course of the next few years.
The class also contains representatives from 43 states and 18 countries.
Allman said that Wake Forest’s strong academics and community draw the interest of some of the best students in the country.
“Wake Forest is continuing to attract students who are drawn to our liberal arts tradition and our Pro Humanitate values,” Allman said. “They come to us from the top of their high classes in IB, AP and the most demanding curricula offered, but they are also remarkably committed to service, aware of the world around them and equipped with myriad talents and abilities.”
“Our test optional policy, our writing intensive application and the use of the personal interview helps us to attract and carefully select a diverse group of individuals whom we believe will contribute to the very best of the Wake Forest community.”
Wake Forest implemented its test-optional policy in 2008, when it determined that applicants would no longer be required to submit SAT or ACT scores. They have used this feature as a tool to recruit high school students across the country.
Many freshmen were drawn to these qualities of the school, while others chose to apply based on recommendations from friends or family members.
Overall, the new freshmen have expressed positive feelings about orientation weekend their first few days at Wake Forest.
“I chose Wake because I truly felt like I was at home when I stepped on campus,” said freshman Riley Rossamano. “The vibe I got from everyone I met made the decision really easy.”
Another freshman, Owen Powell, chose Wake after one of his brothers went to Duke and the other to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I decided I had to complete the trifecta,” he said.
Freshman Maddie Dickens chose Wake for similar reasons. “I always knew I wanted to go to Wake, but actually being here has been so much fun,” said Dickens. “I’m so excited to be here with my sisters and friends and can’t wait for the next four years!”