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Nazareth University sees record interest and Class of 2028 applications at historic level

Rochester, NY (05/15/2024) — As Nazareth University celebrates its centennial in 2024, it is seeing record interest from prospective students for the fall. Nazareth received the largest number of first-year applications in the school's 100 years - more than 5,000 - representing all 50 states and 70 countries. That is a 44% increase in first-year applications from 2023.

"It is inspiring for our faculty, staff, and students to hear that our school is in such high demand," said President Beth Paul. "I see our community energetically carrying out our mission every day, so to feel such a connection and excitement for Naz from prospective students and families is inspiring. We are thrilled to welcome them and all of their passions and interests to the Naz community."

Nazareth is seeing marked increases in academic rigor, diversity, and first-generation students. The number of applicants awarded the presidential scholarship, the university's highest scholarship based on a high school senior's GPA, is up 38%. Meanwhile, 40% of Nazareth applicants identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), and the number of first-generation applications has nearly doubled from last year.

"We've seen a huge increase in the number of first-generation college students at about 31% of applicants," said Christie Smith, associate vice president of undergraduate admissions. "We continue to enhance our partnerships with community-based organizations and our local school districts, and we've seen an increase of students from rural and urban communities as well. Nazareth University is in a position of strength to welcome a student population that better reflects our world."

Nazareth's recent accepted-student events were extremely successful with more than 1,000 students and families visiting campus during NazBound days, the highest participation since 2017.

Students and families can learn more about Nazareth at https://www.naz.edu.

Nazareth University

Julie Long, Senior News & Public Relations Officer | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (c) | jlong2@naz.edu

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