Enrollment statistics show that high school students are better prepared to attend Nicholls since the University became a selective admissions institution in fall 2005. According to fall 2009 enrollment statistics, 6 percent of the incoming freshman class completed a semester’s worth of college-level credit while in high school. In comparison, 2.6 percent of incoming freshmen completed a semester of college credit in fall 2004.

This semester, three incoming freshmen have enough hours to be classified as sophomores.

University President Stephen Hulbert said the state has been working on preparing students for college before they graduate from high school.

“Louisiana has been succeeding in better preparing students,” Hulbert said.

Statistics show that about 65 percent of incoming freshmen this semester were prepared to begin college-level mathematics and English without remedial-level coursework, compared to about 53 percent in fall 2004.

In addition, 69 percent of incoming freshmen scored 19 or better on the ACT math test, compared with about 48 percent in fall 2004, and about 92 percent scored 18 or better on the ACT English test, compared with about 70 percent in fall 2004.

High school students can earn college-level credit through advanced placement testing, ACT testing or the University’s early start program.

The early start program allows high school students to enroll in courses at Nicholls before graduating from high school.

“We are recruiting better quality students,” Hulbert said. “We are doing a better job of servicing these students and assisting them to be successful.”

In addition, Hulbert said more students are selecting Nicholls as their first choice. The University is also doing a better job keeping students at Nicholls until graduation.

Hulbert said renovations to campus facilities and the quality of the University’s academic programs are reasons these students are choosing Nicholls.