Finally receiving an acceptance letter in the mail can be one of the most exciting things for a high school senior. For Manhattan College applicants this year, a record number of applicants will receive the good news during the upcoming months.
One important aspect to consider when deciding which college to commit to, especially in New York City, is how the housing situation will be during the next four years. MC boasts guaranteed housing for all four years, but as the college admits more and more students every year, finding space for them all can become a concern.
“This year, we have been asked to enroll a larger freshman class than last year,” Dana Rose, director of admissions, said. “As a result, the number of students we accept will be directly proportionate to this goal. We are experiencing a record-breaking year, however, with a 15 percent increase in applications.”
According to the Manhattan College website, 75 percent of freshmen live on campus. This number could potentially be affected if more students are admitted.
In regards to the concerns about increasing numbers of accepted students and the housing situation, Andrew Weingarten, interim director of residence life said, “The last couple of years we’ve been pretty much at or just below capacity. Anywhere from 98.5 to 99.5 percent.”
“Ninety-eight and 99 percent sounds like we are right there, busting at the seams. But when you talk about having over 2,000 spaces on campus. That 1 percent is quite a few spaces left,” Weingarten said.
He also addressed concerns of students being forced to live in triples. “I don’t think the college would ever force more students to live in a room than the room accommodates,” Weingarten said.
The only time that Weingarten recalls a problem with housing was before East Hill was built. “Prior to building East Hill, guaranteed housing was a problem. But they built East Hill to accommodate that,” Weingarten said.
Rumors have also been circulating that the empty lot behind the new student commons would be a possible space for future dorms.
“The new building has to have parking and since the north end of it has no parking, that has to be a parking lot,” Weingarten said.
The newly admitted freshman who will occupy these dorms will be a body of students that reflects the admissions office’s past strategies.
“The admission process that we are utilizing this year mirrors what we have done in the past. While there are no new additions or changes to our process, we still stress the importance of visiting campus and interviewing with one of our counselors,” Rose said.
The School of Business will also offer a reception for accepted students at Mass Mutual of America to highlight MC’s connections to corporations in New York City and internship partnerships.
Manhattan’s incoming class this fall will most likely not look too different from its past classes as admissions continues to participate in online college fairs to target international students, attending national fairs and recruiting heavily in the metropolitan area.
“We do not have a quota but we are conscious of recruiting and enrolling a diverse student body that reflects the diversity of the college bound population in terms of socioeconomic background, ethnicity, and geographic location among other factors,” Rose said.