Jischke explains numbers, enrollment on radio show

By Laura Pelner
Campus Editor

Young students who want to come to Purdue in the future will need to have impressive academic credentials, apply early and choose a field of study on their application to have the best chance of being accepted.

This is according to President Martin Jischke, who spoke on Purdue's WBAA "AM920 Magazine" Wednesday afternoon.

Jischke speaks monthly on the radio show about a variety of topics. This month he described Purdue's enrollment process and future goals.

"The primary measures (we use in admissions) are academic success and promise," said Jischke.

He said factors included in that are high school grades, class rank, standardized test scores and extracurricular activities. Well-rounded students, those who have a good balance between academics and other activities, do the best at Purdue, he said.

This year's freshman class, which is smaller than last years, is the most academically sound one in Purdue history. Jischke said going by standardized test scores, this is a great class. He said the national average SAT score for college-bound students this year was about 1020. In Indiana the average was 1000.

However, this year's average SAT score for Purdue's freshman class is 1134. "That’s 39 points higher then five years ago," said Jischke. "That's absolutely astounding. We've literally shifted the whole distribution of SAT scores at Purdue."

Campus-wide, enrollment this year increased only slightly, which is in line with the University's five-year goal. Jischke said there are 38,208 students on campus this year and ideally enrollment will stabilize at about 37,500 students.

Even though enrollment increased this year, Jischke said it's OK because once the present junior and senior classes graduate the numbers will reduce.

"In about three years enrollment will come down at the undergraduate level," he said.

Meanwhile, he said, graduate student enrollment should increase, which would benefit Purdue. This year there are over 7,200 graduate students on campus, an increase of about 200 students. Jischke said Purdue is a research institution and top-notch graduate students and research go together.

A caller to the radio show, Tom, asked Jischke how higher admissions standards affect Purdue's quest for diversity. "All students who come to Purdue are admitted under the same academic standards," he replied. "I believe there is no conflict between having a diverse student body and a qualified student body."

Jischke said this freshman class' diversity is actually higher than those of the past, which helps create a rich atmosphere on campus.

Another caller, Walter, asked about Purdue becoming too elitist in limiting enrollment.

"We are at capacity in terms of faculty, classrooms and resources," said Jischke.

He said he believes every young person in Indiana has the right to pursue higher education, just not at every university.

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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