Worcester State Welcomes Largest Class in History

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester State

Worcester State University is welcoming the largest class in its history.

According to director of admissions Joseph Dicarlo, there are 911 first-year students enrolled, and another 515 transfer students. The new student total of 1,426 represents a five percent increase over last year’s total.

“Students are choosing WSU in greater numbers because of the quality education, wide variety of academic options, relatively low cost, and community feeling on our beautiful campus. With new students from all corners of Massachusetts, the region, and around the world, Worcester State is delighted to start the new academic year with such promise,” said Ryan G. Forsythe, Ed.D.

The Class

According to Dicarlo, 51% of new students, including transfers, come from Worcester County with 93% from witching Massachusetts.

Another 19 states beyond Massachusetts are also represented.

“We’ve got four students from Florida, three from New Hampshire, three from Maine, three from Michigan and two from New York,” Dicarlo said.

Fifty-one percent of new students are the first generation in their families to attend college and 40 percent of them, or 633 new students, are living on campus.

The incoming class also signifies an increase in the diversity with 35 percent identifying as students of color, whereas 27 percent of last year’s student body identified as such.

There is also a 25% increase in students coming from Worcester Public Schools.

“We’ve done more consistent outreach with them and I think the completion of all the construction projects like the opening of our Wellness Center and the new dining hall has been an attraction for Worcester public school students,” said Dicarlo.

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