Binghamton University welcomes new and returning students

Binghamton University welcomed new and returning students and their families on Aug. 22 and 23, respectively, with move-in days signifying the beginning of the fall semester and a new academic year.

Approximately 2,600 freshmen, 1,100 transfer students and 1,098 new graduate students joined the Binghamton University community this year, bringing overall enrollment above 16,000.

“This is an exciting time to be at Binghamton University,” said President Harvey Stenger. “The Class of 2017 represents some of the most talented students we have ever seen and we fully expect that their contributions will greatly enhance the intellectual, cultural and social vibrancy of our campus community.”

The University received a record-high 29,046 freshman applications for fall 2013 admission, surpassing the previous record high of 28,963, set in 2009. There were 28,139 freshman applications received for fall 2012 admission.

With an average high school GPA of 94 and SAT scores averaging 1908, the Class of 2017 is one of the most academically impressive in University history.

“Every year, Binghamton University attracts some of the most talented students from across the nation and around the world,” said Sandra Starke, vice provost for enrollment management. “This year is no exception. Binghamton, with its reputation of excellence in undergraduate education and its value, saw over 33,000 applications overall, resulting in a class that is one of the most accomplished we’ve seen. Students in the Class of 2017 have strong backgrounds in English, biology and math. They have also served as leaders in their schools and demonstrated a strong commitment to public service.”

Applications for graduate study reached historic heights as well, according to Susan Strehle, interim dean of the Graduate School, which received 4,164 completed applications for fall admission - an increase of over 23 percent over last year. As a result, graduate enrollment increased by 134 students over last August, bringing the number of graduate students on campus to almost 3,100. 

“We are excited to welcome the largest incoming group of outstanding new graduate students in Binghamton University’s history,” Strehle said. “Working closely with graduate programs, our assistant deans helped the University experience significant growth in almost every graduate program.”

Nearly 1,100 highly talented transfer students with a mean GPA of 3.4 also joined the Binghamton University community this fall, including about 225 SUNY Broome Community College students, by far the largest number from any single community college. Another 80 students have signed up for the Binghamton Advantage Program, a special, dual-admission program with SUNY Broome, which allows students to become part of the University community and live on the Binghamton University campus while attending SUNY Broome.

Binghamton continues to have a diverse class with the geographic distribution reflecting New York state’s population. International enrollments add to the diversity and with about 800 new international students, Binghamton University now enrolls over 2,500 international students from 102 countries, up about 150 students from last year.