ODU ANTICIPATES RECORD ENROLLMENT FOR 2008

Already experiencing record enrollments overall, Old Dominion University is projecting an additional increase in its 22,000-member student body for 2008-09 based on applications received to date, according to John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement and admissions.

Broderick said ODU recorded its largest freshman class last fall of more than 2,500 students. The record-size class submitted more than 9,000 applications for admission. Through January 2008, ODU has already received 7,000 applications for admission from prospective freshmen, an increase of more than 10 percent from this time last year.

"It is important to note as we discuss growth in numbers, we are concurrently raising the entrance requirements," Broderick said.

The popularity of Old Dominion also holds true among transfer, graduate, off-campus and international students. Total applications for admission to ODU in the fall of 2007 exceeded 18,000. Broderick said the overall application rate has climbed 9 percent over the past year.

"There are so many factors that contribute to the positive growth we have experienced here," Broderick noted. "Clearly, the starting point is with our faculty. Parents and students notice the fact that Old Dominion University faculty are being honored in record numbers by the Virginia State Council of Higher Education for their teaching excellence."

Alice McAdory, executive director of admissions and assistant vice president, said that many exciting changes to the physical campus have also helped in recruiting more qualified students.

"The campus has been greatly enhanced by new academic and research facilities, modern student housing, the University Village and, of course, the Ted Constant Convocation Center," McAdory said. "Students also recognize the importance of attending a university where they will be in classes with individuals from all 50 states and more than 100 nations."