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While the incoming freshman class has been on campus for less than two weeks, it has already made history. This year marks the largest freshmen class at the University of Maine, totaling close to 2,105 students. The University has been growing steadily over the past five years by two and a half percent annually. The class of 2011 is approximately 9 percent larger than last year’s freshmen class.
When asked about the incoming first-years, Robert Kennedy, President of the University, explained that “this data reflects UMaine’s unique and vital role within the state.” Kennedy also remarked that the average SAT score for freshmen is 1077, beating the national average of 1017. Not only does Kennedy see an increase in intellect in the new students but he also believes this will increase interest in the University.
“We welcome a larger class as it brings greater diversity, more opportunity for a connected learning community and an opportunity for students from across the country to experience the UMaine difference,” said Dana.
Dana also shared his first impressions on the new first-year class. “I have met many wonderful students,” he said. “They are bright, eager and ready to make a difference. In fact, I have met students from every corner of the state, from many different states and from many different countries and they all have one thing in common: they believe in themselves and they intend to make a big impact in the world.”
First-years have many thoughts to share about the size of their class and how their college experience has been so far. “I think it’s pretty cool that we have such a big class, but it does mean there will be a lot more competition academically,” said Coty Fortin, a first-year chemical engineering major.
International affairs major Kathryn Card, another first-year, shared a similar opinion. “I really enjoy having such a large class because there are more people to meet during freshman welcome weekend. It’s a great experience.”
Although many first-years are content with the size of their class, many out of state students had concerns about getting to know their new freshmen class. Many students from such places as Massachusetts and Vermont were not happy about the cliques that have already been formed. Tucker Pearson, a first-year student in the explorations program, explained that he felt people were sticking to their high school friends, which makes it hard to intermingle.
On the contrary, students coming from all around Maine enjoy the fact that they have a safety net of friends that have come from their high schools. First-year Ana Dyana, majoring in developmental psychology, said, “My high school friends are great for social back-up but I already feel like I have more friends in so many different areas of life and experience”.
The general consensus of the first-year class is obvious; these students are still getting to know each other. But with a class the size of 2,105, they have their work cut out for them.
