Fall 1998

1998-99 freshman bring impressive credentials to Rose-Hulman

Valedictorians. National Merit Scholars. Perfect SATs.

The academic credentials for freshmen entering Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology have always been lofty. But the 1998 class that arrived on campus in late August may be the most gifted — and well-rounded — in the college’s history.

The 430 freshmen boast a record-tying median SAT score of 1350 (710 mathematics/640 verbal) out of a possible 1600. Ninety percent of the class ranked in the top fifth of their high school graduating classes.

Other statistics from the 1998 freshman class are:

• 22 students earned a perfect 800 SAT mathematics score.
• 15 students earned a perfect 800 SAT verbal score.
• 26 students were National Merit Scholars.
• 21 students have grandfathers or fathers who attended Rose-Hulman.
• 66 are women.
• 30% are first-generation college students.
• 66 students participated in student government or were class officers.
• 119 students play a musical instrument; 40 participated in vocal music

For the second straight year, out-of-state students (53 percent) outnumber Indiana-based students in the freshman class. The percentage of in-state students was 66 percent in 1989.

Reasons for the change, according to Vice President of ¯Admissions Charles Howard, is Rose-Hulman’s growing reputation as one of the nation’s top undergraduate engineering colleges; Rose-Hulman’s increased recruitment and public relations efforts outside Indiana; and an increasing number of alumni, located throughout the country, who are sending their sons and daughters to Rose-Hulman.

This fall, the largest nucleus of out-of-state students came from Illinois (41), Ohio (32), Kentucky (15), Michigan (13) and Wisconsin (13). A total of 41 states are represented in the class.