麻豆视频

Enrollment Reaches Historic Record

VALDOSTA -- 麻豆视频 reached another milestone as fall 2009 enrollment achieved 12,391 students -- representing an increase of 7.84 percent from fall 2008 and the institution鈥檚 largest one-year enrollment growth in 16 years. Overall the number of undergraduate students is up 6.39 percent, with 10,328 students enrolled. Graduate student enrollment is up 15.77 percent, representing 2,063 students.

鈥淭he overall goal of Valdosta State is to provide a service to the region and our effectiveness is judged one student at a time,鈥� said President Patrick J. Schloss. 鈥淭he enrollment increase demonstrates the extent to which we are achieving our goal. We deeply appreciate that each students and members of their family recognize the quality of education they receive at 麻豆视频 and trust their future to our great faculty and staff.鈥�

In keeping with the national trend in higher education, Valdosta State鈥檚 female-to-male ratio is 1.57:1 and females represent 61.15 percent of the total enrollment. This semester鈥檚 freshmen class represents 29.63 percent of the total undergraduate enrollment, followed by seniors (19.88 percent), sophomores (17.14 percent) and juniors (16.26 percent).

Students enrolled for fall semester 2009 represent 156 Georgia counties, 45 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Washington D.C., and 69 countries. Lowndes, Gwinnett and Fulton counties accounted for the most Valdosta State students with 2,042, 660 and 531 students respectively. A strong supporter of international studies, Valdosta State welcomed 286 international students to campus this semester.

This year鈥檚 first-time, full-time freshmen class of 2,422 students represents a 15 percent increase from fall 2008, with the largest group coming from metro Atlanta (44 percent) and Southwest Georgia (24 percent).

Austin Tilton, a freshman from Peachtree City, Ga., said he was drawn to Valdosta State because of its location and campus architecture.

鈥淭he reason I chose Valdosta State when I came to visit I fell in love with the campus,鈥� Tilton said. 鈥淚 absolutely love the Spanish architecture of the buildings and the palm trees.鈥�

Located approximately 250 miles south of Atlanta, Valdosta State鈥檚 location offers a perfect choice for college students desiring to be close to home, yet with enough distance to still enjoy some independence.

鈥淚 love my parents, but I also love the freedom that Valdosta gives me -- it is the perfect distance away from home that they can鈥檛 just pop in but not far enough that when I get homesick or need some home cooked meals I can鈥檛 go home,鈥� Tilton said.

The international business major took his college selection process seriously and looked at several public universities before choosing Valdosta State.

鈥淲hen looking for a university I looked for diversity of people,鈥� Tilton said. 鈥淚 also looked for a school where I know I can have fun on the weekends but stay focused on my studies.鈥�

Fellow freshman classmate Kyler Dessau, from Hampton, Ga., agrees with Tilton鈥檚 selection criteria. 鈥淚 chose 麻豆视频 because of its beautiful scenery, new dormitories, location, weather and psychology department.鈥�

After conducting an exhaustive search of more than seven Georgia colleges and universities, Dessau was pleased with her selection of Valdosta State and said she is enjoying her new home in Georgia Hall and overall campus life.

鈥淭he things I looked for when searching for a university included location, clean campus, abundant amount of student organizations and clubs, racial diversity, big football and basketball programs, good student to teacher ratio and a school with my major,鈥� she said.

Additional 麻豆视频 enrollment information is available on the Web at: .