Contact:

Jason Foster
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-5204, pager (619) 620-1184
foster@mail.sdsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU Fall 2002 Semester Starts Sept. 3
Surge in Applications Leads to University's Most Qualified Freshman Class

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, August 27, 2002- San Diego State University, which earlier this summer was named one of the top 31 dream schools in the country by Kaplan, Inc., enters the fall 2002 semester on Tuesday, Sept. 3, with the best-prepared freshman class in its history, as well as record levels of philanthropic gifts, and grants for research and other projects.

Approximately 7,100 new undergraduate enrollees are expected at San Diego State University this fall, giving the campus a total enrollment of approximately 33,400. Among the enrollees is a class of approximately 4,100 first-time freshmen with the highest average GPA (3.43) in the university's history.

"The number of applicants and the quality of our new freshman class are strong evidence that San Diego State University is one of the most popular universities in California," said President Stephen L. Weber. "The number of our applications has grown by nearly one-third in the last two years. For this fall semester, we had almost 30,000 applications from first-time freshmen alone. That demand has led to a significant increase in the academic credentials of many students admitted to SDSU."

The university also projects these new students will take more classes this fall. The estimated average course load for first-time freshmen this fall will be 14.6 units, up from 13.3 units a year ago - a significant increase in enrollment terms.

In addition to the new students, other noteworthy topics as SDSU begins its 106th academic year include:

• Diversity - This year's class of new freshmen is expected to sustain SDSU's strong level of student diversity and bolster SDSU's already high rankings for awarding bachelor's degrees to underrepresented students. This summer SDSU was ranked No. 5 in the nation in degrees awarded to Hispanics, and No. 10 in the nation in degrees awarded to minorities.
  
  
• Research - In 2001-2002, the university received a record $140 million in grants and contracts for faculty research and community projects. This is a 13 percent increase over the prior year and a 65 percent increase over five years ago. SDSU now ranks in the top 7 percent of 3,800 research universities nationwide.
  
  
• Trolley Project 50 Percent Complete - Work on the SDSU Trolley station and tunnel, part of the Metropolitan Transit Development Board's $431 million Mission Valley East extension of the San Diego Trolley system, is approximately halfway complete. The underground Trolley station site near Aztec Center and most of the ¾-mile tunnel have been excavated, and a comprehensive mitigation plan has allowed university classes and operations to continue with minimal disruption.
  

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 62 areas and doctorates in 14 areas. Students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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