UMaine expected to bring in another record-setting class this fall

Editor’s note: Story updated May 8.

This fall, the University of Maine expects to welcome the largest incoming class in its history after the number of new students confirmed for admission by the May 1 deadline topped 2,500.

As of May 1, 2,512 students paid their deposit fee to attend in the fall — up from 2,457 confirmed students last year, which resulted in UMaine’s largest-ever incoming class of 2,230 in fall 2016.

Accepted students who have not confirmed have until the close of business on Friday, May 5 to secure a position in the fall 2017 entering class.

“We are excited about our record-setting number of first-year student confirmations,” says UMaine President Susan J. Hunter. “These incoming students reflect the hard work required to meet the challenge of recruiting in a formidable climate, with declining demographics and strong competition for qualified applicants. We look forward to welcoming this large and talented incoming class to the state’s flagship university.”

This spring, UMaine had more than 13,000 completed applications. The number of confirmed out-of-state and international students is up 12 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The number of confirmed students who also intend to enroll in the Honors College is up 31 percent from last year.

For the second consecutive year, UMaine’s commitment to affordability, strategic investments in signature strengths and aggressive marketing succeeded in recruiting more out-of-state students, particularly from the nine states targeted in the Flagship Match financial aid program. Flagship Match allows students from California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to pay the same tuition they would pay at their home state’s flagship campus.

For Maine students, the university offered a new Maine’s Top Scholars program, in addition to the Maine Match, Maine Matters and Merit Scholarship programs.

“Recruiting the best students possible is good for UMaine and the University of Maine System, and good for the state,” says Jeffrey E. Hecker, UMaine executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Students are attracted to the breadth, depth and quality of the academic experience they receive at a research university. This successful student recruitment also helps Maine economically, immediately and in the long run, as we seek to develop a greater workforce.”

Contact: Margaret Nagle, 207.581.3745