DS
Deirdre Sullivan
  • English
  • Class of 2017
  • Norfolk, MA

Deirdre Sullivan to attend University of Dayton as part of most selective class in school history

2013 Aug 5

Deirdre Sullivan of Norfolk, MA, will attend the University of Dayton this fall as part of an incoming class that is the most selective in school history, as well as one of the most academically prepared and geographically diverse.

The University plans to welcome about 1,900 first-year students when classes start Aug. 21.

"We are exceptionally pleased with the quality and the size of the incoming class," said Sundar Kumarasamy, vice president of enrollment management and marketing. "With increasing competition in Ohio and nationally for a declining number of college-aged students, we are gratified to see the University of Dayton's continued broad appeal all over the world. It's a resounding endorsement of the academic quality and value of a Catholic, Marianist education."

Sullivan comes to campus as part of the most competitive class in the University's history. Only about one out of every two applicants was accepted, as competition to get into the private, Catholic university continues to rise. At 52 percent, overall selectivity is up nearly 30 percentage points in just a decade.

To help families make more informed decisions, this is the first class to receive a four-year financial plan with full disclosure of all costs and a pledge their scholarships and grants will grow dollar for dollar each year to match tuition increases. It's part of a national call for transparency in college costs and has been very well received by parents and students, according to Kumarasamy.

While the number of high school seniors in the Midwest is projected to decline until 2015, this year's record 16,024 applications is driving efforts to diversify University enrollment, especially with out-of-state and international students, according to Kumarasamy.

The number of first-year students from outside Ohio hit a record 56 percent; since 2006 that figure has jumped nearly 18 percentage points. The greatest growth is coming from Tennessee, Nebraska, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Florida and Puerto Rico.

The University also sees a new high in international enrollment. Top countries with growing enrollments include the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. China continues to send more students to the University of Dayton than any other country. Last year, one in 10 students on campus hailed from outside the U.S.

The University of Dayton is a top-tier national, Catholic, research university and Ohio's largest private university. Founded by the Society of Mary (the Marianists), the University of Dayton educates students for excellence in scholarship and practical wisdom, grounded in faith and reason, to build community and partner for the common good.