University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: March 25, 2004

By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor

Although applications to UB for Fall 2004 from international students have declined dramatically from last year, the number of applications from incoming freshmen and transfer students are up significantly over last year's record totals, President John B. Simpson reported at Monday's meeting of the UB Council.

Simpson told council members that the number of applications from incoming freshmen is up 7.1 percent over last year, while the number of applications from transfer students has increased even more dramatically—10.1 percent—over last year's totals.

"UB is a very popular place," he said.

Simpson noted that the substantial decline in the number of applications from international students is not unique to UB and is "an issue of ongoing concern in the higher education community."

There needs to be some balance "between the country's need for enhanced security" in the wake of the events of Sept. 11 and the "value of bringing foreign students to inform and participate" in the educational activities of UB and other major U.S. universities, he said.

Sean Sullivan, vice provost for enrollment and planning, reported that UB has seen substantial declines in the numbers of applications from the university's top five sources of international students—applications from China are down 68 percent; applications from India are down 24 percent; Taiwan, down 12 percent; Korea, down 3 percent and Japan, down 26 percent.

UB maintains a total international enrollment of about 3,200 students, admitting about 800 new students each year, Sullivan said, adding that UB usually receives between 7,000 and 8,000 applications from international students each year.

UB also will enroll a smaller freshman class in Fall 2004—about 3,200, compared to the record 3,581 freshmen who were enrolled last fall, Simpson said, noting that for the first time, UB will wait-list prospective students.

The university will enroll about the same number of transfer and graduate students this fall as last, and retain more continuing students, thus maintaining about the same total enrollment in Fall 2004 as Fall 2003, despite fewer freshmen, Simpson said.

"The smaller number of freshmen being enrolled should be balanced by a larger number of students remaining in the institution," he said.

Sullivan explained that UB's retention rates are increasing because the overall quality of students is increasing.

"Over time, we have enrolled better students, and they are more likely to stay (at the university)," he said.

The quality of the freshman class is increasing, as measured by SAT scores, high school grade-point averages and the SUNY selectivity matrix, Simpson added. He noted that the mean SAT scores for accepted students has increased substantially from 1164 last year to between 1171-1178 for Fall 2004.