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Highest Luther enrollment since 2005

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The struggling economy isn't affecting enrollment at Luther College.

Luther's 2009 fall semester student enrollment is 2,519, the highest since 2005, when 2,545 students were on campus. In recent years, Luther has seen lower numbers: 2,504 in 2006, 2,476 in 2007 and

2,423 in 2008.

Scott Schaefer, vice president for enrollment management, attributed the gain to several things.

"One factor is a higher retention rate from freshman to sophomore year," said Schaefer.

"Another reason is that we've just had many more applications this year."

Schaefer said Luther has seen a 65-percent increase in applications over last year. Of those who applied, 69 percent were accepted, and the college's "yield rate," or students who actually started classes, was at 29 percent of those who were accepted.

"The number of applicants actually gave us the opportunity to be more selective," said Schaefer.

Why more applicants?

Schaefer attributed the increase in applicants to the college's revised search methods and application process.

The college also recently launched a new admissions Website: www.admissions.luther.edu.

"There's a lot of information on the Web site geared for students and their parents starting to look at colleges," said Schaeffer.

More work

While Schaefer said the college welcomes the increase in students, he acknowledges the extra work put in by the same number of staff, to accommodate the extra population.

"Our financial aid staff processed 1,000 more FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) last year. They did it with the staff they had, but they worked very hard and long hours," he said.

For complete information about enrollment specifics, visit www.lu-ther.edu/contact/administrative/ir.



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© 2009 The Decorah Journal Decorah, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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