UMass Amherst Welcomes 5,800 First-Year Students This Fall

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AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will welcome an outstanding academic entering class, and the largest in university history, when students return to the Commonwealth’s flagship campus over Labor Day weekend.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said, “Our students arrive with a remarkable variety of experiences and perspectives, and their selection of UMass Amherst shows that our flagship campus is a destination of choice for academically high achieving students. This year’s class again demonstrates our commitment to fostering a community of excellence, diversity and accessibility that serves the Commonwealth and the wider world.”

The size of the entering class, approximately 5,800 students, represents an increase of 790 compared to last year. This includes 4,300 in-state students, an increase of 800 over last fall.

Massachusetts students represent 74 percent of the first-year class. Out-of-state enrollment remained strong at 1,500, including 470 international students. The university received a record 42,110 applications. Overall undergraduate enrollment this fall is projected to be 22,700.

The academic profile of the Class of 2023 is impressive. The average SAT score is 1292/1600 and the high school grade point average is 3.90.

The class also represents an increase in the number of ALANA (African, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Native American) students at 33 percent. The percentage of under-represented minority students is 17 percent, matching last year’s number. Half of the incoming class is female.

Commonwealth Honors College will welcome 660 students, up 35 students over last year. The average SAT score is 1400/1600.

This is the 14^th year that the university offered an Early Action (EA) admission program whereby students apply early for admission and receive notification of their acceptance by mid-December. The number of students using the EA option has increased annually from about 8,000 applicants in 2009 to 20,450 this year. Almost half of the students apply through EA, 75 percent were admitted and more than 3,200 will enroll in the fall, representing 55 percent of the entering class.

Along with the first-year class, nearly 1,050 transfer students will be arriving on campus this fall. The transfers include 380 community college students enrolling through the MassTransfer program. MassTransfer guarantees admission to Massachusetts community college students who complete a designated program with a GPA of 2.5 or above. The overall GPA for entering transfer students is 3.40.