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Archived Document

New Student Convocation 2003

Ted Spencer, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
August 28, 2003

Good evening, I’m Ted Spencer, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. As the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, I have the responsibility of identifying and admitting outstanding students to the undergraduate programs here at the University of Michigan.

  • Once again, this year, we received over 25,000 applications for some 5,400 positions, which meant that the selection process was one of the most competitive ever. But, one of the greatest rewards of my job this year was being able to select an outstanding class of students from one of the largest group of applicants in the University’s history and, I might add, from one of the most well-qualified pool of applicants we have ever had.

  • Each year when I give this presentation I say to the entering class, “this is the most talented class in the history of the University.”

  • Well, once again I can say without hesitation, “this year’s class is stronger in many ways than any other class in the history of the University of Michigan.”

The Class of 2007 is truly outstanding, because its members have accomplished so much during their years in high school.

This year's entering class will perform well at Michigan because it consists of students who are exceptional in both academic and extra curricular endeavors, and who will contribute to the vitality of the University of Michigan.

  • Consequently, I can assure the faculty and administration that the Class of 2007 meets or exceeds all the measurements we use for admission.

Let me now share with you some of the exceptional achievements of this class.

In high school:

  • Some 25% of the Class of 2007 were elected to one or more student government offices.

  • Approximately 25% of the class received all-city, league, county or state awards in athletics.

  • And while in high school, some 46% presented musical recitals at places like Carnegie Hall — Last year, 51% of the class of 2006 played a musical instrument. This year, almost 55% played a musical instrument.

Your well-roundedness and leadership potential are further illustrated by the following data:

  • Almost 90% of the class have participated in local communities or volunteered in civic projects. And some 29% have received an award for community service—up 1% from last year.

  • This year, approximately 45% have published poems, stories, essays, and articles, or, have worked as editors of their high school newspapers or yearbooks.

  • And, astonishingly, once again this year approximately 10% of the class have started their own businesses.

Now, while all of this may sound remarkable, there is even more:

  • Over 1600 members of the class scored between 650 and 800 on the Verbal portion of the SAT and an amazing 2557 scored 650 or better on the Math portion, which is a 32% increase from last year.

  • Also, there were 15 students who scored a perfect 1600.

Among those who took the ACT:

  • Last year, 27% of the class had a composite score between 30 and 36. This year, that figure jumped to 30%. While, only 4% of students nationwide achieved that outstanding level.

  • In addition, among this class, there were 365 perfect scores of 36 on at least one section of the ACT—up almost 25% from last year. And, the number of students that scored a perfect 36 on all sections more than doubled!

While test scores are important in the admissions process, academic grade-point average carries the greatest weight.

  • This year, approximately 60% achieved a 3.8 average or higher.

  • Also, 20% of the Class of 2007 is in the Top 1% of their graduating high school class—an increase of almost 10% from last year! Furthermore, 75% ranked in the Top 10% of their graduating class.

  • In addition, more than 1900 students were members of a high school academic honor society.

And, perhaps, one of the most incredible achievements of this class is that over 3,360 received high enough scores on Advanced Placement tests to enter the University of Michigan with college credit.

I am proud to also say that this year's class is once again very diverse ---- adding to our rich and vibrant campus community with strong representation of students from every racial, ethnic, social, and religious background.

  • In addition, women now comprise 52% of the entering class—up 1% from last year .

  • Further evidence of this class's diversity is illustrated with incoming students from 1699 different high schools, which is a 21% increase from last year…ALSO…the incoming class has students from all 50 states and over 70 countries —joining a student body that represents over 100 countries from around the globe.

Finally, let me again congratulate both you and your parents for your outstanding achievements.

So, to the administration, faculty and staff of the University of Michigan, I present to you some of the best and brightest students in this country as well as the world. I present to you the Class of 2007.

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