Class of 2011 at Holy Cross Most Diverse in History

The College of the Holy Cross expects to welcome an academically accomplished and community-minded first-year class of 723 students. The Class of 2011 is the most diverse first-year class in history, with approximately 19 percent African-American, Latin American, Asian-American, and Native American heritage (ALANA) representation.

“They’re bright, they work hard, they take challenging courses, they do well, and they manage to stay really involved in the community through volunteer work and other projects,” said Ann B. McDermott ’79, director of admissions, of the new class. “I think that’s been true of Holy Cross students all along — but it’s even more true today.”

Applications to Holy Cross have increased for two consecutive years. Applications were up five percent this year. Of the 7,066 applicants, 32 percent (or 2,291) were accepted. In 2006, 6,705 students applied, a 41 percent increase from the year before.

Students rank in the top 7 percent of their of their high school class. About 70 percent submitted SAT scores, despite the College’s test-optional admissions policy. Average SAT scores among those students was 1280.

The number of ALANA students entering Holy Cross in the first-year class is more than 10 percentage points higher than 1997.

“Much of our initial success has come from the investment of the Cassin Educational Initiative, through which we were able to triple the number of Admissions staff people we had working on multicultural recruitment,” said McDermott.

The Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation, created by Brendan J. “B.J.” Cassin ’55 and his wife, Bebe, in 2000, works with religious orders, dioceses, parishes and other groups to establish faith-based college-preparatory middle schools and high schools in economically challenged areas throughout the country.

Of the 469 students who applied Early Decision, 252 gained admission and 250 will enroll this fall. Early Decision allows students who consider Holy Cross to be their top choice to apply early and receive a decision by mid-December.

Starting Aug. 25, members of the Class of 2011 have been participating in a three-and-one-half day program of welcoming events, known as Fall Gateways Orientation. The events are designed to ease transition to college life by introducing students to the wide variety of academic, spiritual, community-building, and social programs available at the College. Students also have the chance to meet members of the faculty, administrators, and fellow classmates before classes begin on Aug. 29.

Read what USA Today reported about the Class of 2011's summer reading