With less than 3,000 students enrolled, Guilford is known for being a small campus with a loud voice. Judging by the number of applications already submitted for next Fall, that voice is being heard. Guilford is receiving applications for the 2006 Fall semester at a record rate – 1,118 applications as of Nov. 1. This is double the number of applications for the two previous years: 529 and 563.
“Though I’d like to think that it is something the admissions department has done, it is plain to see that the word of mouth at Guilford is very strong,” said Randy Doss, Vice President for Enrollment and Campus Life. “That is the power of satisfied students and parents.”
Doss explained how student and faculty appreciation has helped application numbers. “The most important thing is satisfying customers,” said Doss. “Like a restaurant, when you like the food you ate there, you suggest it to your friends; I believe that Guilford has satisfied enough students that our popularity has grown tremendously.”
“By providing students with quality assistance, we can help ensure their satisfaction,” explained Tania Johnson, Associate Director of Admissions. “We can only hope that our satisfied students share their experiences with friends and family choosing their college; I believe that has already happened.”
Johnson explained how Guilford’s reputation has developed out of unchanging principles. “This campus and its students pride themselves in staying active within the community,” she said. “It is through staying active that we have gained some of our popularity.”
With 67 percent of first-year students coming from outside North Carolina, Guilford’s popularity and reputation crosses state borders. With the rise in the number of applicants, however, comes the necessary increase in scrutiny. As a result, Guilford has admitted marquee students from across the country.
“Our acceptance percentage has been the lowest it has ever been since 1987,” said Doss. “Our SAT average has been at least 1130 for the past five years and 13 percent of our students are from the top ten percentile of their high schools.”
Doss also said that the improvement of campus perception, recognition that came from Newsweek, and strong faculty and staff appreciation have played a major role in the flood of student applications; Doss then explained the actions Guilford is taking.
“We have invited counselors from Ohio to Georgia to come and see the campus. By reaching out to the guidance counselors we can spread the name of Guilford and hopefully gain the interest of high school seniors.”
“I came to Guilford with the expectation of making a difference,” said first-year Graham Payne. “Here, you are surrounded by conscious professors and students who aren’t just going through the motions.”
Payne, who is from Virginia, explained how he heard of the school through teachers. “Most of my teachers put Guilford in the same category as UNC and Duke. Some assume that smaller schools mean less talent, and Guilford proves that statement wrong.”
With the intense care given to incoming and interested students, first-year students also receive strong attention from the college departments. First-years are given classes that introduce them to the campus; their grades are often reported before those of other students; and they are heavily advised during their first two semesters.
“Not only do we want to get more students, we want to keep the students we have,” Doss said. “The students come first, and by keeping that priority, we ensure the growth of the school.”
Administrators hope that Guilford will continue to grow. The increase in applications reflects positively on the school and its image, which improves the value of the diploma after students graduate.