By Justin Muszynski
The number of first-year applicants at CCSU for the next academic year is down from what it has been in previous years.
Larry Hall, the director of recruitment and admissions, says that this has not been a trend at CCSU and is in fact is the opposite of what has typically happened each year.
“This is the first time in years that the first-year applicant pull is down,” says Hall.
Laura Tordenti, vice president of student affairs, agrees with Hall and said that the decline was to be expected.
“We absolutely saw this coming,” Tordenti says. “It’s no surprise at all.”
While some might hear of the news and be alarmed, Hall said that this is a statewide trend and shouldn’t be a concern.
“The other [Connecticut State University] schools are experiencing declines in first-year applicants,” said Hall.
While first-year applicants are down, the excess in transfer students will more than make up for the gap.
“Our enrollment will remain steady because of transfer students,” says Tordenti. “Our fall enrollment is going to be fine, we’re going to be right where we need to be.”
When asked about any steps CCSU would need to take in terms of extending the deadline for applicants confirming attendance, Hall says that none are necessary.
“The deadline to confirm has remained May,” Hall said. “The exception is for students admitted after April 15, they have 15 days to confirm.”
Tordenti and Hall both say this is not something the university needs to be concerned with and that they attribute the lack of applicants to fewer high school graduates statewide.
CCSU recently extended the first-time student application deadline to June 1.