Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 3, 1992 TAG: 9203030271
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
In different times, the increase in applicants would be good news for schools. But these days, many are keeping freshman classes the same size or even reducing them as a way to cope with budget cuts.
"It's going to be a very competitive year," said Karen Torgersen of the admissions office at Virginia Tech, where applications are up 6.1 percent. "A student offered admission this year is going to be a solid A-B student."
Old Dominion University, where a 16.9 percent increase in applications is highest among state schools, also will get more selective. Vice President Dana D. Burnett estimated the acceptance rate will drop from 73 percent to 71 percent, leaving at least 1,000 more applicants than last year out in the cold.
Guidance counselors and college officials say borderline seniors must start considering two-year schools.
"More and more, they will have to prove themselves at community colleges," said Eugene P. Trani, president of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Many colleges attributed the increases to their own promotion efforts.
The only four-year school that suffered a dip was the University of Virginia, which blamed its 12 percent drop on the economy.
by CNB