Admissions accepts 29% to Class of 2000

Dean Lee StetsonDean Lee Stetsonsays class is 'mostDean Lee Stetsonsays class is 'mostselective ever' The University admitted 29 percent of its applicants to the Class of 2000, making the class "the most selective ever," according to Admissions Dean Lee Stetson. Last year, the admission rate was 33 percent. Of 15,858 applications -- a new record, and about 6 percent higher than last year -- 4,725 were admitted. Approximately a third of those students were admitted early. And for the first time in years, a greater percentage of women than men were admitted -- 51 percent to 49 percent. Last year the percentages were equal at 50 percent each. University President Judith Rodin said she was "delighted" by the statistics, adding that one of her administration's strategic goals was to "expand the applicant pool." "The numbers truly reflect Penn's strength and attractiveness to the most talented and interesting students from around the world," she said. "We are viewed as one of the significant places to be." Stetson attributed the increase in applications in part to Penn's "rising visibility, especially under Dr. Rodin." "The level of media coverage has never been more intense," he said. He added that since schools are becoming more selective across the board, "students are not sure of admission so they are applying to more schools." The mean scores for the Scholastic Aptitude Test of admitted candidates rose three points total to a combined score of 1381 -- 681 verbal and 700 math. In all, about half of the admitted students had SAT scores above 1400. Nearly 80 percent of those admitted ranked in the top 5 percent of their graduating high school classes -- the mean rank being 97th percentile. And 584 admits were valedictorians, while 243 were salutatorians. Acceptance letters for regular admissions were mailed Wednesday. Those accepted hailed from 71 countries on six continents, and also represent all 50 states. The Atlantic Coast continued to be a big draw for the University, as 64 percent of this year's admits are from that area. Forty-four percent of the Class of 2000 are from Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey. Nearly 200 of the students admitted live in Philadelphia, and 37 of those were awarded the prestigious Mayor's Scholarship. "There was an unusual amount of talent and ability," Stetson said. "We turned down some outstanding people because we didn't have room." Of those admitted, 3,135 students were accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences, which is about 121 less than last year. Stetson said the goal is for 1,500 of those to actually matriculate. The School of Engineering and Applied Science accepted 942 students, down 105 from last year. The Wharton School took 541 students (down 66), and the Nursing School took 107 students (down one). The goal is to enroll 380 students, 395 students and 80 students to those three schools, respectively. Approximately 37 percent belong to racial minority groups, including 24 percent who are Asian American, 7 percent who are black, 5 percent who are Hispanic and less than 1 percent who are Native American. Stetson said he will "most likely" accept some students from the waiting list, but he expects to make "limited use" of that list. The total admission percentage could rise to 30 percent with the addition of waitlisted students, he added.

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