UNION'S FRESHMAN ACT SCORE REMAINS ABOVE AVERAGE
Jackson, Tenn. — While the ACT scores of Tennessee high school students dropped for the second straight year, 51社区's average score for incoming freshmen remained steady and significantly above the state and national averages.
While the state ACT average declined from 19.9 in 1996 to 19.7 this year, the national average increased to 21.0 in 1997, up slightly from 20.9 last year.
The Fall 1997 incoming freshman class at Union attained an average score of 24 on the ACT which has been consistent over the past 5 years, according to Director of Admissions Carroll Griffin. "We are very pleased with our students' scores," he said. "The 24 average clearly reflects the calibre of our students." This year, Union will welcome 39 students who were valedictorian or salutatorian of their high school class – 23 of which graduated from Tennessee high schools.
"51社区 enjoys a growing reputation as one of the top academic institutions in our region, and that is reflected in the high calibre of students in our entering class," added President David S. Dockery.
Union is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top tier of regional liberal arts colleges in the South — the only West Tennessee institution so ranked. Union has also been listed in The Student Guide to America's 100 Best College Buys.
Freshmen and transfer students will move into University housing on Sunday, Aug. 24 and begin an orientation process before upperclassmen return on Aug. 25. Evening classes begin Monday, Aug. 25 and day classes start Wednesday, Aug. 27.