WSSU seeking students with higher GPAs, SAT scores

In its quest for students of a higher caliber, Winston-Salem State has raised GPA requirements as well as SAT scores.

Fall 2008 WSSU required high school students to have a 2.87 GPA as well as an 889 SAT score.  The following year, eligible students needed a 3.19 GPA and a 909 SAT score.

Tomikia LeGrande, the assistant vice chancellor in enrollment services and enrollment management, said the University reached a decision September 2008 to begin increasing enrollment requirements over the next six years.

LeGrande said WSSU's environment has few resources, and that students with a higher academic profile would be able to thrive in such an environment as the University develops. 

The resources include more writing centers, improved technology and language labs.

LeGrande said the University will use the 2009-2010 academic year to plan and develop more resources, and in 2011 they will start to become visible.

Dr. Michelle Releford, the dean of University College said Hauser is being renovated to accommodate freshmen.  Releford added that the Xerox lab in Hauser was renovated and converted into a Language Arts Center.

"Past data has shown which students succeed," LeGrande said.

On average only 13 of every 100 students graduate in four years at WSSU.  LeGrande said the University is searching for students that are of a similar caliber to those that graduate in four years.

This semester the number of freshmen admitted decreased, as the admission standards  increased.  

LeGrande said last year there were about 1,300 freshmen in comparison to the approximately 900 that were accepted this year.

"The lower freshmen enrollment numbers have relaxed demands on the campus and maintained the University's goal of 6,400 students enrolled," LeGrande said.

"We [the University] have almost the same enrollment numbers with this class as compared to previous years."

LeGrande said that WSSU has seen some of the highest retention rates in three years, with more than 70 percent of last years' freshmen class returning.

While the number of freshmen retained was high, Releford said only around 45 percent of them made sophomore status.

Retention specialists positions  and  student contracts were created for freshmen who are placed on academic suspension or probation. 

The contract specifies that students take no more than 12 credit hours a semester, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and meet with a retention specialist twice a month.  

If a student does not sign the contract a hold will be placed on his or her Banner account.