ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — For the second consecutive year, a record number of prospective students have applied for admission to the incoming Winthrop University Class of 2024.
The current recruiting season has seen applications for the fall 2020 freshman class—which numbered 6,125 as of February 5 —eclipse the previous mark of 6,101 from fall 2019. The strong application numbers yielded a freshman class that was Winthrop’s largest in four years.
“Our campus community has devoted much time and effort in recent years to strengthening our reputation and increasing the number of students taking advantage of the Winthrop experience, goals laid out in the Winthrop Plan,” said President Dan Mahony. "With our highest rating in 25 years in U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges and other endorsements for our quality, value and diversity, this record interest at the application phase is evidence that our offerings are resonating with prospective students and families.”
Vice President for Access and Enrollment Management Eduardo Prieto concurred, noting that applications to Winthrop University are up across several South Carolina markets, including some major population centers.
"Our largest increases have been in York County, the greater Columbia metro area and Florence, in addition to extending our reach out to Aiken and Myrtle Beach. We have also remained consistent in Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg and are up slightly in out-of-state markets like New York and Massachusetts,” said Prieto. “The value of a Winthrop degree and overall experience is very appealing for students and families looking for a combination of best fit and return on investment.”
In addition to the efforts of the campus community, Mahony credited a strong and consistent enrollment marketing plan for the record number of applications.
"We have collectively offered unparalleled customer service and a welcoming environment where prospective students are treated like family," he noted. "The growing interest in Winthrop among prospective freshmen demonstrates that this strong student-centered focus at the university is working."
During the 2019-20 recruitment season there has been an increase in travel across the state with a strong presence in geographic areas that have historically produced successful Winthrop students. The recruitment team has put additional emphasis on digital communications and the value of the Winthrop experience, which offers national-caliber academics, civic engagement opportunities, high quality undergraduate research experiences, and global connections, all in a beautiful campus setting.
Until this recruitment cycle, Winthrop has traditionally been a rolling admissions cycle institution. However, an early application deadline of Nov. 1 extended offers of acceptance to qualified applicants by Dec. 1. Similarly, all applicants submitting an application prior to Feb. 1 are to receive notifications by Feb. 15. All applications received after Feb. 1 will continue to be received and reviewed until the start of the fall 2020 semester.
For more information on Winthrop's recruitment efforts, contact Prieto at prietoe@winthrop.edu or call 803/323-2191.
