They haven't even started their academic careers at Miami University yet, but the incoming class of 2012 is already seeing some ups and downs.
The number of students applying to Miami this year dropped off by approximately 6 percent according to Director of Admissions Laurie Koehler. Separately, Miami's board of trustees announced that next year's tuition for out-of-state students will increase by approximately 6 percent.
Via e-mail, Koehler said that the dip in applicants is not a cause for concern, as it is due at least in part to a return to normalcy from last year's class. 15,919 students applied for Miami's class of 2011-a new high for the university.
"While our pool (of applicants) may be a bit smaller than last year's record-setting application numbers, we believe that on the whole the pool may have more serious applicants than last year," she said via e-mail.
So far there are 14,782 applicants compared to the 15,919 last year, although applications will continue to come in over the next month. The university still expects to bring in a class of 3,450, which is the regular number for an incoming class.
Koehler explained that Miami's application process underwent some changes this year, which may have turned away some of the "less serious" applicants. The application was redesigned to be more "Miami-specific" and includes a 250-word essay, both of which are separate from the Common Application, which is a generic application that can be sent to multiple universities simultaneously.
There are roughly 1,000 fewer students who filed "incomplete applications" this year according to Koehler. Those would be the students who sent Miami the first part of the application without the Common Application, which is also necessary.
Despite the overall decline, Koehler reported that the number of applications from international students has increased by 100 percent. The current total is 509 versus last year's 254. Koehler attributed the dramatic increase to the university's aggressive recruitment efforts overseas.
Those international students will be just a few of the students who will have to pay a higher tuition next year. Undergraduate students from out-of-state will pay $25,306, while out-of-state graduate students will pay $24,898. Both totals are 6 percent increases from the 2007-08 tuition.
Interim Vice President for Finance and Business Services Adolph Haislar said that the increases are standard for the university, as they help pay for the ever-rising costs of utilities and health care for students, faculty and staff.
"The university is more of a living human being than a bunch of buildings," he said, emphasizing where the additional money will be put to use.
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Haislar also said that the university is continuing to search for methods to keep tuition as low as possible for all students. He said that outside consultants are being brought in to find ways to promote healthier lifestyles and make Miami "healthier," so as to lower costs for health care.
Additionally, Haislar said alternative methods for energy conservation are being looked into, including better insulation and windows. The university will also continue to purchase materials in bulk when possible, he said.
Chuck Knepfle, director of student financial assistance, agreed that the increase in tuition was nothing out of the ordinary.
"It's a standard increase," he said. "It has been that way for several years."
In-state students will not see an increase since Ohio Governor Ted Strickland imposed a tuition freeze on Ohio colleges last year. The freeze applies through the 2008-09 school year. Haislar said he believes the governor will make sure that college educations will remain financially accessible for Ohio students.
"The governor believes higher education is the key to turning the state around," Haislar said.
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