Class of '9O shapes up

Despite an 8% drop in applications for the Class of 1990, the percentage of accepted candidates coming to Dartmouth is just about the same as in previous years. The overall number of minority candidates lining up for next fall's freshman class also appears to be about the same as last year, though there will be a significant decline in the number of black freshmen perhaps changing Dartmouth's position as the Ivy League school with the highest percentage of black students.

Director of Admissions Richard Jaeger '59 explained in early May that final figures on the class aren't in yet. The effects of the waiting list invitations being extended and of "summer melt" attrition by students who have committed to Dartmouth but end up going elsewhere may change the totals slightly. However, his impression is that "we're right about where we want to be" in terms of achieving a class of around 1,030 come fall. And he says that as far as total minorities for '90 are concerned, "we're in good shape."

The overall number of applications this year was down from an all-time high of some 9,500 last year to the second-highest total everabout 8,700 for the Class of '90. Acceptances were extended to 1,840 candidates last year and 1,887 for '90. The overall admissions yield the number of accepted candidates who are coming to Dartmouth will end up around 54% to 56%, the same range as in past years. Legacies offspring of Dartmouth alumni were, as usual, accepted at a slightly higher rate than the overall pool and also produced a higher than average yield, about 79%.

The minority yield, however, is somewhat lower than average, at about 38%. The Class of '90 will include about 57 blacks, down from 77 in '89; around 20 Native Americans, down from 25; right around 20 Hispanics, about the same as last year; and about 70 Asian-Americans, up significantly from 45 last year. Jaeger also noted that the class of '90 will be about 39% women a decline from the high of 42% but just about the same as last year.

About half of those admitted have been offered financial aid.