Applications, SAT scores reach record highs

Most of the numbers are in for the Furman Class of 2004. And the folks in Admissions are smiling again.

On paper, the incoming freshman class appears set to become the strongest yet to enroll at Furman. The number of applications and the average SAT scores are at record highs, and the acceptance rate is expected to dip below 65 percent for the first time in school history.

Admissions projects approximately 3,600 applications for enrollment this year (including transfers and re-admits). This will mean an increase of approximately 8 percent over last year, when the university received 3,338 applications. The average SAT score for students accepted during Early Decision increased from 1,239 in 1999 to 1,243 this year.

Woody O’Cain, director of admissions, says the increase in interest is fueled in large part by a stronger recruiting effort in such areas as Texas, Virginia and the western and central part of Tennessee, and by an aggressive marketing strategy that is attracting more prospective students to campus for preview days.

Students attending Fall for Furman events in 1999 increased 22 percent, and the total number of visitors (including parents) attending these events jumped 29 percent.

"Our beautiful campus is a strong selling point," says O’Cain. "Generally, if we can get students to visit, they fall in love with Furman once they see the campus, meet folks in the Furman community and see how special this university is."

O’Cain adds that construction activity, the university’s growing reputation for academic excellence, award-winning publications and positive publicity are other factors that are helping to attract a stronger and more diverse group of students to Furman.

"The best form of positive marketing is through word of mouth," says O’Cain. "When a student or parent has a positive experience here, they tend to want to share that information with others."

The university is also marketing Furman through high school educators and guidance counselors. So far this year, the Admissions Office has hosted 74 high school guidance counselors and principals on campus.