Torchbearer: Winter 1996

Ready to Succeed

Freshmen entering UTK last fall may have been the best prepared ever, based on ACT entrance exam scores that exceeded state, regional, and national averages.

The UTK average was 23.6, the highest ever for an entering UTK freshman class. The national average is 20.8; the Tennessee average, 20.3; and the Southeast average 20.0. The highest possible score is 36.

Several factors have helped raise the UTK average. They include students taking more advanced courses in high school, higher admission requirements, more scholarships, and the recruiting efforts of University admissions officers.

UTK enrolled 37 new National Merit Scholars, 32 new McWherter Scholars, and 145 new Bicentennial Scholars.

UT Chattanooga also recorded its highest ever ACT average among entering freshmen. Scores at UT Martin were exceeded only by the previous fall's class.