Enrollment Up 18.8% as Cal State San Marcos Begins Fall Semester

Opening day enrollment for the fall 2002 semester at California State University San Marcos stands at 7,244, up 1,146 or about 18.8 percent from the same date one year ago.

This follows a summer session enrollment that was more than 30 percent above the previous year (1,432 in 2001; 1,868 in 2002).

"People are hearing about the high quality of our programs," said Richard Riehl, executive director of enrollment services. "We saw indications during last year that we were going to see a lot of new students. Our regional receptions for admitted students were quite popular and attendance at our on-campus preview day nearly doubled compared to the previous year."

Officials are paying particular attention to the number of first time freshman students. In 2001, the campus welcomed 620. This year Riehl believes there will be 770, an increase of approximately one quarter.

Riehl also noted that students are choosing to continue their studies at Cal State San Marcos at a higher rate, and students are taking slightly more classes. The average class load in 2001 was 11.44 units. This semester it appears to be 11.48 units.

Enrollment is expected to increase as the semester begins and students adjust their class schedules. In 2001, opening day enrollment of 6,098 increased to 6,497 by the census date, several weeks into the semester.

Official enrollment figures are tallied on the campus census date, September 30, 2002.

Contact: Rick Moore, Director of Communications, (760) 750-4011