GPA, Diversity Set New High Water Mark

The Fall 2004 entering class will be, academically, one of the highest achieving in UC Santa Barbara's history. It also will be the most diverse.

UCSB has received deposits and Statements of Intent to Register (SIRs) from 4,128 of the 19,427 applicants who were admitted.

Of all domestic respondents expected to register who indicated their racial or ethnic background, 45 percent, or 1,716, are members of minority groups. The 990 members of underrepresented minority groups—African Americans, American Indians, and Chicanos and Latinos—account for 27 percent of these domestic respondents. UCSB saw increases in the number of African-American and Chicano/Latino students, and a small decrease in American Indian students.

The combined average score on the mandatory SAT examinations of students planning to register was 1181, and the average high school grade point average was 3.76, the highest ever.

"Once again, the academic quality of our entering class is truly impressive," says Christine Van Gieson, director of admissions. Although deposits have been received from 4,128 students, UCSB expects to enroll about 3,950 when classes begin, or about 50 fewer than last year.

"In line with the University's mission to enroll all qualified California residents, UCSB is trying very hard to accommodate as many of these highly qualified, UC-eligible students as possible," adds Van Gieson. "But like other campuses in the UC system, we are finding that to be more of a challenge this year."

Statistics on incoming transfer students are not yet available, but Van Gieson says that UCSB is expecting to enroll about 1,425, or about 50 more than last year.