While applications rise, admissions remain consistent
With more than 25,400 prospective students applying, the University of Rhode Island has seen a record number of applicants for the Fall 2022 semester.
According to Dean Libutti, associate vice president for enrollment and student success at URI, the University has seen an increase in applications for over seven years. Out of the over 25,400 applications for the Fall 2022 semester, the University accepted a similar number of students this year.
“The goal this year was actually to have a target of about 3,300,” Libutti said. “And that’s been our target for the past couple of years.”
Of those students, 500 are transfer students and 30 percent are first-generation college students. 25 percent of the accepted students identify as Hispanic or two or more races, according to Libutti.
Cynthia Bonn, dean of undergraduate admission, said that there are a number of factors that contributed to the increase in applications, including an increase in different recruitment strategies.
“We have a very talented team in the Office of Admission who does a great job getting out there and promoting the University,” Bonn said. “We get excellent feedback on our tours, as well as our open houses, our admitted student welcome days and our daily information sessions.”
Bonn also said that the success rates of students at URI have helped the University to grow in the past few years, such as students having internships and study abroad experiences to share with potential new students. These experiences prove that the University is growing and evolving, Bonn said.
“All of those things contribute to the University’s reputation,” Bonn said. “I know that President Parlange is also committed to getting this out there in the world with even more recognition from the highest levels of the University.”
Additionally, the University offered a test-optional application this year, due to students having complications in taking standardized tests during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Libutti.
URI is one of 1,700 colleges in the nation to remove test score requirements for the incoming freshman of the class of 2026.
According to Libutti, although there was a record number of applicants, it didn’t affect the standards of admission for the University.
“We actually tried to make it easier for students and families to apply to college during tough times,” Libutti said. “The past couple of years, we’ve been flexible on our deadlines, so I think that helped us during tough times to have a record applicant by working with families as best we could.”
Libutti said that they took into consideration academic performance in high school, the rigor and challenge of high school courses, letters of recommendation, college essays and involvement when looking through applications.
According to him, the most competitive majors for the Fall 2022 semester were business, marine biology, nursing, computer science and kinesiology. The most challenging, however, was the nursing program, which saw well over 2,000 applicants.
Going forward, the University is planning on continuing its recruitment efforts for the future Fall 2023 class, with in-person visits to high schools returning this fall.
“This year, we have folks that will be representing us in our primary markets of New England, New York and New Jersey, but we also have folks representing us down in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania,” Bonn said.
During these trips, a team from the office of admissions hosts information sessions and attends college fairs at local high schools.
Libutti also recognized the efforts of student ambassadors who work as tour guides and orientation leaders who represent URI in a positive light.For more information about URI admissions, visit https://www.uri.edu/admission/.