Admission applications on the rise

Out-of-state application numbers are up 14.8 percent from last year.

By David Conway

Published Nov. 10, 2009

An increase in the number of applicants might be a sign of another large freshman class, but admissions officials say it is too early to draw solid conclusions from the available figures.

Vice Provost for Admissions Ann Korschgen said 9,914 applications have been received to date. The number represents a 9.5 percent increase in applicants from this point last year, a year that featured the second-largest freshman class in the university's history.

The largest increase in application totals come from outside the state of Missouri. Among Missouri residents, applications have increased 5.2 percent. That number is almost three times larger among non-residents, among whom applications are up 14.8 percent. More than half of the out-of-state applications come from Illinois. Applications from that state increased 16 percent from last year.

Korschgen said the increase in out-of-state applicants stems from a number of factors, including more word of mouth from current and former MU students and a stronger connection with high schools in other areas.

"I think we have very effective recruiters in Chicago and in Dallas, which has helped make a difference with our out-of-state recruitment efforts," Korschgen said. "We've had people there several years and they've established a relationship with guidance counselors. Mizzou has become a known entity and a respected entity."

Korschgen said it was important to keep in mind that the increase in applications at this point in the year does not necessarily lead to a larger incoming class.

"Our admissions folks have encouraged people to apply early to make sure they have residence hall space," Korschgen said. "Therefore, it's too early to make any judgment about what these numbers mean."

Despite the increase in applicants, MU admissions requirements for incoming freshmen remain unchanged.

"If your ACT composite score is 24 or higher, or the total of your SAT critical reading and math scores is 1090 or higher, and you have completed the required curriculum, then you meet the requirements for admission to Mizzou," according to the MU admissions Web site.

The mean ACT score of last year's incoming freshman class, a 25.6, marked the highest average for the university in eight years.

MU has had ongoing discussions about capacity issues, but officials' main priority is ensuring all students are receiving a quality education. Korschgen referenced the recent increase in instructors and advisors as evidence of MU's support for the larger classes, which haven't been a problem for the university academically.

"Our retention rate this year is the second highest in the school's history even though we had a large freshman class," Korschgen said. "I think that says something that we're accommodating our students with success."