Highlights of the U-M Entering Class of Fall 2007

Ted Spencer, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions

New Student Convocation 2007

Ted Spencer, Associate Vice Provost
and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions
August 30, 2007

Good evening, I’m Ted Spencer, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions.

As the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, I have the responsibility and great pleasure of identifying and admitting outstanding students to the undergraduate programs here at the University of Michigan.

• This year, we received over 27,000 applications — a record number — for some 6,000 enrolling freshmen, 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 most well-qualified pool of applicants we have ever had.
• Again this year our admissions process was personalized — because we gave you the opportunity to tell us more about yourselves.
• And, I can say without hesitation, that this year’s class is more actively engaged and academically well-qualified than any other class in the history of the University of Michigan.

The Class of 2011 is truly outstanding, because its members have accomplished so much during their high school years.

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 I feel will contribute to the vitality of the University of Michigan.

Consequently, I can assure the faculty and administration that the Class of 2011 meets or exceeds all the measurements we use for admission&ellip;

&ellip;and are truly “plugged in and connected to the UM community.”

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

In high school:

• For the third consecutive year, 28% of you were elected to one or more student government offices.
• Almost one quarter of the class received all-city, all-league, all-county or all-state awards in athletics.
• And while in high school, more than 54% of the class played a musical instrument;
• And some 45% presented musical recitals at places such as Carnegie Hall;
• And almost .

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

• This year, 35% of the class have volunteered in a community health setting.
  • 62% of the class have participated in civics projects — which is up 2% from last year!
  • Also, there are 27% of you who have participated in programs to assist children or adults with disabilities &ellip;
  • continuing an upward trend, and more than any other class.
  • And again this year, 30% have received an award for community service.
  • This year, approximately 20% of you have published poems, stories, essays, and articles or have worked as editors of your high school newspapers or yearbooks.
  • And, astonishingly, for the second consecutive year, one of ten students have started their own business.

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

• Over 1500 members of the class scored between 650 and 800 on the Verbal portion of the SAT—up 11% from last year’s class!
• An amazing 2,347 students scored 650 or better on the Math portion of the SAT;
• And 13 members attained a total perfect score of 1600.
• Among those who took the ACT:
  • This year, 40% of the class had a composite score between 30 and 36 — continuing the upward trend of the last 6 years.
  • While only 4% of students nationwide achieved that outstanding level.
  • In addition, among this class, there were 329 perfect scores of 36 on at least one section of the ACT.

Now, while test scores are important in the admissions process, academic grade-point average and course selection carries the greatest weight.

• This year, the average HS GPA for the entire entering class is 3.80. And, almost 1400 members achieved a perfect 4.0!
• Also, 24% of the Class of 2011 is in the Top 1% of their graduating high school class;
• While over 92% ranked in the Top 10% of their graduating class;
• Proving once again, that this year’s class excelled across all the academic indices that we use for admission.
• In addition, more than 4,000 students were members of their school’s academic honor society.
• And, perhaps, one of the most incredible achievements of this class is that over 3,800 of you received scores of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement tests
• Which means that most of you will be eligible 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.

• Also, women again comprise almost 51% the entering class.
• Further evidence of this class's diversity is illustrated with incoming students from 1,863 different high schools.
• ALSO, the incoming class has students from all 50 states and 53 countries — joining a student body that represents over 100 countries from around the globe.
• In addition, over 13% of this year’s class are from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, a single parent home, or are the first generation to attend college.

And, I’m also pleased to report that, this year, almost three quarters of the entire freshmen class received scholarships from the University of Michigan or from outside sources — amounting to almost 12 million dollars!

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 2011.

(Please Note: Percentage change in this speech means percentage point change. )

Top of page