A window on the Class of 2005

The Class of 2005 has 1,170 students from around the globe. © Mark Morelli

In 1983, Microsoft announced it had developed a new operating system, to be called Windows.

A group of British researchers developed genetic fingerprinting, which allowed individuals to be identified through their DNA. Congress approved a holiday to honor the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. CDs were introduced; the final episode of M*A*S*H aired. President Reagan delivered his ÒStar WarsÓ speech.

And most members of the Class of 2005 were born.

HereÕs a look at some of the numbers that define the 1,170 students who arrived on campus in August, ready to make their own history at Tufts.

• They come from 800 high schools in 44 states and 41 countries.
• The number of African Americans in the class is the highest in TuftsÕ history (10 percent.) In addition, 10 percent of the class is Latino, and 10 percent are Asian American.
• Nearly 61 percent are from public high schools; 35 percent are from private schools, and 5 percent are from religious schools.
• The class contains residents of small towns, cities and suburbs in almost equal proportions.
• On average, the students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Nearly 60 percent indicated that Tufts was their first-choice college.
• This yearÕs class was selected from 13,700 applicants, up 60 percent from the number of applicants five years ago. Students applied from more than 3,500 secondary schools in 105 countries and 50 states. Only 23 percent of the applicants could be offered admission.
• More than 40 percent of the class is receiving some sort of financial assistance. Nearly 60 percent of the students said they expect to work to earn money.
• More than 19 percent of the class are either foreign citizens, permanent residents of the U.S. or U.S. residents who were living overseas. Four percent are dual citizens. Nearly a third of the students have lived in a country other than the U.S.
• English is not the first language in the homes of 26 percent of the class.
• The majority of the students (85 percent) are enrolled in the School of Liberal Arts; 15 percent are in the School of Engineering.
• The most popular areas of study are international relations, biology and economics, followed by those who are Òundecided.Ó
• More than 96 percent of the class said they expected to continue with graduate or professional studies. Nearly 67 percent said there is a very good chance they will obtain an internship.
• More than 62 percent of the class is interested in study abroad.

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