2008 Woodie Awards
Small class sizes, community involvement attract new students
Jennifer Kennedy
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: News
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After graduating from high school and leaving home for what is most likely the first time, the new freshmen class of 2011 joins Saint Mary's College, bringing diversity of culture, experience, and knowledge.
This year, 3,929 students applied to Saint Mary's and 3,231 were accepted. Out of that, 611 enrolled. Women hold the majority at about 60 percent, while men account for about 40 percent of the student population. The average GPA of accepted students was a 3.3.
The exact numbers for the demographics have not been developed but to give a general idea about what the class of 2011 is like, estimates have been made. Around 66 percent came from Northern California and 18 percent from Southern California. Out of state students account for 15 percent and one percent are international students. Over half came from public schools. Roughly 34 percent came from Catholic schools and eight percent from Lasallian schools with the remaining from independent (non-Catholic) schools. Fifty-five percent identify themselves as Catholics. Around half of the class of 2011 is white, seven percent are African-American, one percent American Indian, 10 to 14 percent are Asian-American, and 20 to 23 percent are Latino.
The freshmen have chosen a wide range of majors. The most popular is business administration. Other popular majors include psychology, liberal and civic studies, and communication.
This diverse group chose to attend Saint Mary's because of the size, the reputation, the religion, and the location. "I came from a small high school and that's one of the main reasons I came to SMC. I didn't want to get lost in the shuffle," said Caitlin Graveson '11. Mark Blucher '11 came here because he was recruited for cross country and Saint Mary's had the best financial aid option for him. Rosa Caitlin Brummel '11 joined the class of 2011 because of Saint Mary's dedication to social justice, along with the fact that the campus and classes are small in size.
This year, 3,929 students applied to Saint Mary's and 3,231 were accepted. Out of that, 611 enrolled. Women hold the majority at about 60 percent, while men account for about 40 percent of the student population. The average GPA of accepted students was a 3.3.
The exact numbers for the demographics have not been developed but to give a general idea about what the class of 2011 is like, estimates have been made. Around 66 percent came from Northern California and 18 percent from Southern California. Out of state students account for 15 percent and one percent are international students. Over half came from public schools. Roughly 34 percent came from Catholic schools and eight percent from Lasallian schools with the remaining from independent (non-Catholic) schools. Fifty-five percent identify themselves as Catholics. Around half of the class of 2011 is white, seven percent are African-American, one percent American Indian, 10 to 14 percent are Asian-American, and 20 to 23 percent are Latino.
The freshmen have chosen a wide range of majors. The most popular is business administration. Other popular majors include psychology, liberal and civic studies, and communication.
This diverse group chose to attend Saint Mary's because of the size, the reputation, the religion, and the location. "I came from a small high school and that's one of the main reasons I came to SMC. I didn't want to get lost in the shuffle," said Caitlin Graveson '11. Mark Blucher '11 came here because he was recruited for cross country and Saint Mary's had the best financial aid option for him. Rosa Caitlin Brummel '11 joined the class of 2011 because of Saint Mary's dedication to social justice, along with the fact that the campus and classes are small in size.