Appalachian welcomes more than 3,000 freshmen

August 22, 2012

Sam Adler of Cary moved into East Hall Aug. 17, a backpack slung over one shoulder and a guitar case over the other. Time to start college.

"I'm excited," said the incoming freshman, who said he choose Appalachian State University because of its campus atmosphere. "I like the smaller school size and the way professors will be helpful to me in class."

Adler was among more than 3,000 freshmen who moved onto campus for the Fall 2012 semester. Classes began Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Nearly 14,000 students applied for entry into the Class of 2016. This year's freshman class is one of the best yet at Appalachian, according to administrators.

"It's been a successful recruiting year. The average ACT score, high school grade point average and percentage of underrepresented students for this incoming freshman class are the highest in Appalachian's history. The average SAT score is the highest we've had in the past three years, and we've had record applications from transfer students," Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Gonzalez said.

Appalachian has about 950 transfer students this fall, which brings total enrollment to well over 17,000, including both undergraduate and graduate students.

Besides North Carolina, this year's freshmen come primarily from Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland and Florida. The top five N.C. counties are Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth and Union.

Their top indicated majors, if they have decided, are nursing, education, biology, pre-med, psychology, criminal justice, marketing, computer science, environmental science and exercise science.

All freshmen are required to live on campus. About 6,000 students live in Appalachian's 21 residence halls this year, with other students living within walking distance or a short commute via AppalCART public transportation system.

Ten-story Summit Hall is the newest residence hall—and tallest building—on campus. It offers the best view of campus, one sophomore Melinda Hodnett of Raleigh calls "breathtaking."

"When I first got moved into my room all I wanted to do was look out the window," the honors student said. But she's more excited to start classes, especially those related to her major, which is psychology.

What's her advice for new students adjusting to campus life? "Get to know the people around you. Keep your door open and introduce yourself—that's how you can make some amazing friends," she said.

"I love that at this university I don't feel like a number, but like a student who is really wanted here," she continued. "The people at Appalachian are excited to be here and are excited to have others be here. I don't regret this decision for a minute."

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Office of Admissions

Scenes from move-in day 2012
- Sam Adler of Cary is ready to start his college career at Appalachian.
- Psychology professor Dr. Mark Zrull assists with move-in at East Hall, an activity he has done for the past six years. "I have fun. It's a different way to see students, and an important thing to do."
- Some of the hundreds of volunteers, dressed in yellow shirts, help freshmen and their families unload vehicles for a quicker, more organized move-in process.
- Parents take empty boxes and a suitcase back to their vehicle during Appalachian's freshman move-in Aug. 17.
- Families wait with their freshmen's possession during move-in day.
- Students sign in at their designated residence hall.
- An old, or perhaps new, friend tags along to Appalachian.
- A mother and son check out all the activity.
- University Housing volunteers prepare to move a freshman's belongings.
- Study pillow? Check. Printer? Check. Goldfish snacks? Yep, good to go!

An early start to academics 2012
- Kurt Steinbaugh, an instructor in University College, leads freshmen in a discussion of "Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer," this year's summer reading selection. Students start their academic experience by reading a common book during the summer and then discussing its themes during orientation.
- New students share their thoughts on "Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer," this year's summer reading selection. The book chronicles one woman's efforts to live off the land on the fringes of an urban ghetto.
- Two Honors College students make a presentation based on research they conducted on Boone, an activity to learn their new community and get introduced to the academic expectations of the Honors College. Twenty groups of three to five students each interviewed community leaders and government and nonprofit agency leaders. They then had about two hours to create an effective presentation to educate their peers.
- Dr. Dale Wheeler talks with Honors College students during a two-day retreat Aug. 15-16 to help them get acquainted with each other and with their new community of Boone.

A look inside Summit Hall
- Ten-story Summit Hall opened this fall, the tallest building on campus by four feet. Located next to Plemmons Student Union, Summit Hall is expected to achieve LEED® Gold designation because of its sustainable construction. It houses about 330 Honors College upperclassmen, international students, Diversity Scholars, Plemmons Fellows, and upperclass students in other leadership and engagement programs.
- Among its LEED® features are water fountains designed for refilling personal water bottles, cutting down on the use of one-time-use plastic bottles. A digital display indicates how many plastic bottles have been saved.
- Summit features a common area on each floor, pictured. The building is co-ed, with suite-style rooms that feature two bedrooms and a shared bathroom.