After one of the most selective admissions processes in Colgate University history, 746 first-year students are arriving on campus this week. From the largest pool of applications the Admissions Office has ever received, only 25.5 percent of applicants were accepted, a dramatic reduction from the 42 percent acceptance rate of 10 years ago and even last year’s 28.3 percent.

“They went through the most rigorous selection process,” Dean of Admissions Gary Ross said of the class. “Never before has Colgate admitted only 25 percent of its applicants. In reading over the more than 8,700 applications from the class, those who were admitted and have now enrolled have shown consistently throughout their high school experience that they are bright, highly motivated achievers.”

President of the University, Rebecca Chopp, likewise expressed enthusiasm for the incoming class.

“Colgate is one of the most selective schools in America, and I am excited about what the Class [of 2011] will bring to the University,” Chopp said.

Admitted students’ SAT middle 50 percent scores ranged from 660 to 740 in Math and from 660 to 750 in Critical Reading. Nearly 80 percent of the 2,234 accepted students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class and over 90 percent were in the top 20 percent. In addition to their average GPA of 3.72, the incoming first-year students bring with them a variety of interests.

“I think it’s a wonderful class,” Chopp said. “I’m excited about the diversity of the class’s interests.”

From their participation in athletics and the arts to their involvement in community building opportunities and politics, Chopp is confident that members of the Class of 2011 will thrive at Colgate.

“That’s the Colgate way: get involved,” Chopp said. “I hope every student gets involved with their interests or discovers their interests at Colgate.”

The diversity of the first-year students also distinguishes the class.International students arriving at Colgate come from 16 countries while over 23 percent of the incoming class is comprised of multicultural students.

“The Class of 2011 is one of our most diverse classes, perhaps the most diverse class,” Chopp said. “I think that we always learn from great teachers but also from our peers. It’s a global environment, and learning to work with people from all over the world is a vital skill.”

Ross shared similar feelings on the demographics of the class.

“The Class of 2011 represents an abundance of highly diverse backgrounds, traditions and accomplishments, but the common thread that runs through each member of the class is a track record of proven success,” Ross said. “My hope is that each member of the Class of 2011 will bring their hopes and dreams [to Colgate] and use their talents to make those hopes and dreams a reality during their Colgate years and beyond.”

He offered some words of advice to the class during its introduction to campus.

“[I encourage students to] set a goal to make a great Colgate even greater through their own achievements as well as through the social relationships they develop with their peers and the members of the faculty, staff and administration who will all care so much about them,” Ross said. “I consider the Class of 2011 to be a truly extraordinary group of young women and men who will without question have a truly marvelous impact on Colgate.”