Incoming students have flocked from as far as Brazil, Afghanistan and Spain—and from all corners of the United States—to New College of Florida this fall.
This year’s cohort is varied and vibrant, and that says a lot about the reputation of the state’s only designated honors college.
“This year, we have more students from outside of Florida, which reflects the growing appeal of a New College education nationally,” said Ann K. Masterman, Ph.D., the director of admissions and new student recruitment at New College. “It’s really exciting to bring students to such a special community. They’ve come to us from so many different schools, from all around the state of Florida and beyond.”
Classes begin this week, and there are 200 new first-year and transfer students attending (24 percent of whom are from outside of Florida—up from 16 percent last year). These are high-achieving students, with an average grade point average of 3.82 (up from last year’s 3.77). Also, the amount of students from International Baccalaureate (IB) programs has increased to 16 percent (up from 13 percent last year).
During a pandemic and declining enrollment at colleges everywhere, it was not the easiest feat to recruit the best and brightest students this fall. But New College took a personalized, campus-wide approach to the welcoming process, which resonated well with students.
“Because the pandemic made it very challenging for students to visit campus during the year, we were especially glad to welcome them to campus in small groups over the summer as part of our ‘Welcome Wednesday’ pre-orientation events,” Masterman said. “Now, we’re eager to have our new students share their excitement for New College with the schools and people who helped them get here. So, we’ll be inviting them to honor their roots and help us send an NCF T-shirt to their favorite adviser or teacher to say ‘thanks.’”
Students are already spreading the word and the school spirit. One new Novo Collegian from Puerto Rico is now a student ambassador, working with New College admissions counselors to help recruit more students (especially those from United States territories).
“We have first-time-in-college students from Mexico and Afghanistan, and two U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico this year,” said Tiffany Washington, the director of graduate enrollment and undergraduate strategic initiatives at New College. “Our grad students came from Spain, Brazil and Turkey, with international students creating one-quarter of this year’s graduate cohort.”
While counselors continue to appeal to local students through initiatives like a recently-implemented guaranteed admission program, New College has a strong foothold outside of the state and country. The College is clearly drawing students to its customized curriculum, career-integrated learning experience, arts and cultural community, and bayfront campus.
Abby Weingarten is the senior editor in the Office of Communications & Marketing.