Collegiate Times

In less than two weeks, trucks overflowing with recently purchased luggage will clog the Virginia Tech entrance ? perhaps more than usual ? marking the arrival of yet another freshman class.

But when the moms, dads and minivans have cleared out, the class of 2010 will join the ranks, giving Tech a population facelift.

According to unofficial numbers, the students comprising the class of 2010 come to Tech from 36 countries and from 49 states, nine more countries and nine more states than in the class of 2009.

?The more diversity we have, the better it is for everyone,? said Amy Widner, the public relations coordinator for undergraduate admissions. ?You learn more from people from different areas.?

Despite geographical diversity, the numbers show that this year?s freshman population is larger, more female and less ethnically diverse than last year?s class.

The white population at Tech continues to be the majority, as illustrated in the 73.6 percent of students in the class of 2010 who identified themselves as white, up from last year?s 73 percent. However, the numbers may prove slightly shaved, for 11.5 percent of incoming freshmen checked the ?none of the above? space on applications when asked to indicate racial or ethnic background.

The 11.5 percent makes the ?none of the above? group second only to the white population. Such a large number may be representative of the sentiment of applicants across the country who believe chances for admission into college are lessened by not being a minority.

The black student percentage in the incoming freshman class increased slightly, from 3.4 to 3.7 percent.

Men constitute approximately 55 percent of the class of 2010, closing the gender gap at Tech slightly as the percentage of women continues to increase, a slightly lower percentage than Tech as a whole.

Students attempting to gain admissions into Tech should note a trend of increasing applications. The class of 2010 comes from the largest number of applicants in Virginia Tech history.

?The quality of our entering students is a testament to the value of a Virginia Tech education,? said Norrine Bailey Spencer, associate provost and director of undergraduate admissions, in a press release. ?This year?s record of more than 19,000 applications indicates that excellent students are seeking a great education, and we are pleased that they have chosen Virginia Tech.?

This year?s class broke the previous applicant pool record set in 2001 by 568 applications. Because 19,406 students applied, the university only offered enrollment to 66 percent of the prospects, a decline of approximately two to four percentage points.

?I think very strong students are seeking strong education at strong universities,? Widner said. ?They are coming to Virginia Tech looking for that.?

The 5,139 students planning to graduate in 2010 join their fellow Hokies for class on Monday, Aug. 21.