Westmont Magazine Great Marks for New Students

Getting into Westmont is getting tougher, and statistics on the class of 2005 prove it. The young men and women who arrived on campus in August have the best credentials in the college’s history.

A total of 380 first-year students, 60 transfers, 16 re-applicants, eight Christian College Consortium visitors and five advanced-study students enrolled.

The average GPA of all first-year students is 3.65 and their average SAT score is 1210, up from 1190 last year.
An impressive 81 percent of first-year students received Westmont Merit Scholarships. Last year, 78 percent qualified for this award. The average GPA of Merit Scholars is 4.06, and their average SAT score is 1260. In 2000, 66 qualified as Presidential Scholars; this year 73 won this top scholarship. Their average GPA is 4.25 and average SAT score is 1360.

More National Merit Finalists chose to attend Westmont this year, with a total of 12 in the class of 2005. Four enrolled last fall.

There are 57 new students of color, also an increase from last year, and  46 are Merit Scholars.

Incoming students participated in the new Perspective orientation program during the summer. The two-day session included discussions of college life, an introduction to the campus, and a chance to meet fellow students. Taking placement tests, setting up e-mail accounts, getting student I.D. cards, and meeting with faculty advisers occupied the rest of the time.

Focusing on academic tasks left more time during orientation for the new students to prepare emotionally and spiritually for the year.