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As 5X���� begins a new academic year, the university is also welcoming a new freshman class that is already making a strong impression. Freshmen enrolled at the Kent Campus for the Fall 2012 Semester have the best academic profile in Kent State history. The average high school grade point average of a Kent State freshman is 3.27.

“The quality of this year’s freshman class is fantastic,” says Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “We were able to select the best students to be a part of our Kent State family out of more than 21,000 applicants.”

In terms of student quality, 70 percent of the Kent State freshmen have a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better. The university is also seeing significant increases in ACT scores. The average ACT score of a Kent State freshman is 22.60. This year, freshmen of Kent State’s Honors College have an average high school GPA of 3.83 and an average ACT score of 28.97.

“Our freshman class is highly academically motivated,” says T. David Garcia, Kent State’s associate vice president for enrollment management. “Over the past few years, we were focused on growing our freshman class. Now, rather than quantity, our focus is on the quality of our students.”

Among Kent State’s freshmen this year is Matthew Genco, 19, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and a graduate of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Genco considered many colleges, including the College of the Holy Cross, Creighton University and Saint Louis University. “I selected Kent State because I am part of the NEOMED program (Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine Degree Program),” he says. With regards to his freshman class, Genco says, “It is nice to know that the freshman class is extremely intelligent, as we have many great things in our future.”

Kent State freshman Alexandra Casto, 18, of Stow, Ohio, and a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School, says she is proud of her academic achievements and likes being a part of the freshman class with the best academic profile in the university’s history. “In high school, I had a 3.8 GPA, which I was very proud of and still am,” she says. “It feels good knowing that I am one of those freshmen with a high GPA. Also, it makes me glad that I did work so hard in high school.

“I love 5X����,” Casto continues. “I love the energy, the people, the campus — everything about it. I am having a good experience at Kent State, and I hope all of the other freshmen are, too.”
Lefton says Kent State’s appeal to new students will continue to grow as the university and the city of Kent undergo a transformation.

“As we transform our campus with investments in our academic environment and partner with others to redevelop downtown Kent, Kent State will appeal to more students,” Lefton says. “Prospective students and their families will see Kent State’s deep commitment to our students in providing them the best facilities, learning spaces and experiences so that they are well-prepared upon graduation.”

Although official fall 2012 enrollment figures will not be finalized until the 15th day of the semester, university leaders anticipate that this class will be the second largest freshman class in Kent State history.