RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES
The 1999-2000 academic year saw increased recruitment travel by the UA Graduate
School. Graduate School recruiters made visits to 34 recruitment events at over
50 colleges and universities. A number of historically black institutions were
targeted for recruitment visits. Following each visit, the Graduate School
representative developed a list of prospective graduate applicants and wrote
each a follow-up letter. A memorandum was sent to each UA graduate chairperson,
giving the details of those students interested in that department's programs.
The Graduate School has implemented plans to maintain an active role in graduate
recruitment events in 2000-2001.
The Graduate School organizes a large number of on-campus recruitment activities.
In September 1999, the Graduate School sponsored its second annual workshop on
“Applying to Graduate School,” which was attended by over 350 undergraduates at
UA and other colleges and universities. The workshop consisted of presentations
by Graduate School recruiters on the application process and presentations by UA
departmental representatives on graduate opportunities in specific fields of
study. Breakout sessions included the Arts & Sciences divisions of Physical
Sciences/Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts/Humanities; Commerce and
Business Administration; Communication and Information Sciences; Education;
Engineering; Human Environmental Sciences; Nursing; and Social Work. The
workshop concluded with practice administrations of graduate admissions tests,
provided at no charge by Kaplan, Inc. The attendees continue to be monitored
regularly to ensure that as many as possible decide to enroll in graduate school.
The third annual workshop, now titled, “Graduate School Preview Day,” was held on
October 5, 2000 and attended by about 450 prospective graduate students.
On October 12, 1999, the 12th annual Graduate and Professional School Day was held
in the Ferguson Center. Universities from across the country exhibited and provided
information to more than 500 prospective graduate students. The 13th annual Graduate and
Professional School Day was held on October 10, 2000.
On the first Wednesday of every month, the Graduate School conducts a seminar
on “Applying to Graduate School.” The seminar is listed on the Graduate School’s
Web page and is promoted by the various departments and support groups across
the UA campus. The seminar is also advertised widely on other campuses across
the state.
Graduate School recruiters conduct presentations for a large number of campus
organizations, including honor societies, undergraduate organizations,
undergraduate classes, and many other units. For example, in 1999-2000, Graduate
School representatives conducted presentations for prospective graduate students
at the UA English Language Institute, National Science Foundation Research
Experiences for Undergraduates Summer Program, and McNair Scholars Program.
Emphasis continues on maintaining links and dialogue with all undergraduate
organizations concerning graduate admissions procedures and highlighting the
benefits of investing in graduate education. The Graduate School stresses the
importance of developing a personal contact with all outstanding undergraduate
students (those who have maintained a 3.00 or better GPA) and encourages them
to consider attending the Graduate School at the UA.
The Graduate School staff members conduct a number of admissions and recruitment
activities on a daily basis in our office in 102 Rose Administration Building,
activities that include phone calls, voice mail messages, sessions with individual
students in our offices, processing applications, mailing applications and catalogs
to prospective students, phone calls from faculty and other units, and responding to
e-mail inquiries from faculty and prospective students. During this past year
(July 1999 to June 2000) the Graduate School received and processed 29,785 pieces
of mail related to applications. The Graduate School admissions staff conducted
1,897 in-office guidance sessions with prospective graduate students and had 3,106
additional office visits from students with application questions. The admissions
staff had 8,583 phone calls and responded to 7,699 e-mails from applicants.
The success of graduate student recruitment is dependent upon the active involvement
of individual graduate departments and faculty. Graduate students often select a
university based on the research and scholarly record and reputation of each department’s
faculty. Prospective graduate students who have been contacted directly by department
chairs or faculty are more likely to apply to a university. Thus, the Graduate School
has implemented a number of activities to assist departments with their own departmental
graduate recruitment programs. Every fall semester, the Graduate School holds a workshop
for department chairs and graduate program directors and provides information about possible
recruitment activities. Each semester, the Graduate School sponsors a recruitment focus
group for 10-15 Graduate Program Directors. Graduate School staff members routinely are
invited to attend departmental faculty meetings to discuss graduate student recruitment,
application, and admission.
As part of the continuing process of assisting departments, the Graduate School
maintains and uses several prospect databases. Over 500 inquiries from prospective
graduate students are entered into the database each month, and reports are sent
regularly to each department in which the students have expressed a specific interest.
The Graduate School actively solicits national databases of prospective graduate
students (e.g., the McNair Scholars Program for undergraduates who are from disadvantaged
groups or are first-generation college students) and forwards the information to
departments. The Graduate School also routinely sends reports to departments about
potential outstanding applicants who have submitted parts of their applications (e.g.,
transcripts, test scores) and who can be encouraged by departments to complete their
applications and attend The University of Alabama Graduate School.
Developments and improvements within the application cycle also contribute to keeping
Graduate application and enrollment levels high. In addition, the use of technology in
communication further enhances the recruiting process. The Graduate School has an
electronic version of its application on its web site. The online graduate application
facilitates rapid processing of applications while reducing the amount of paperwork
usually associated with the admissions process. During 1999-2000, 1,809 graduate
applications were submitted on our web site, which was 36% of our total applications.
Students who wish to apply electronically can do so by visiting
http://graduate.ua.edu.
In recent months, a number of enhancements have been made to the Graduate School
online application, and additional enhancements are planned. We have recently
changed our Web site to allow online submission of applications from international
students, in addition to U.S. citizens. Students who do not choose to apply online
often download and print our forms from the Web site and submit paper copies of our
forms through US mail. We have implemented procedures to allow better tracking and
recruitment of applicants who apply using our online application. When applicants
submit an online application, an email is sent automatically to the department to
which they have applied; departments are encouraged to use the data for recruitment
of the students. Applicants are automatically sent emails immediately and several
weeks following their submission of the online application. The emails thank applicants
for their applications and encourage them to consider enrolling at UA. Beginning in
October 2000, data from online applications were uploaded automatically into the
university’s student information system. Online graduate applicants now may submit
credit card numbers for their application fees. In future months, UA will enhance
its web for students (www.tideguide.ua.edu) and will
include new features for online graduate applications.
ADMISSIONS
The University of Alabama Graduate School continues to benefit from its extensive
recruitment activities. The Graduate School received 5,038 applications to degree
programs in 2000, compared with 4,854 applications in 1999, or a 4% increase. A
large number of degree applications were completed and reviewed by departments ---
3,869 in 2000 compared with 3,837 in 1999. The quality of degree applications was
similar to last year, and an acceptance rate of 58.9% occurred in 2000, compared to
60.4% in 1999. The applications completed in 2000 resulted in 2,279 acceptances,
1,044 rejections, and 546 awaiting departmental decisions. In addition, a total of
1,012 non-degree applications and 548 off-campus applications were received in 2000.
For a more detailed analysis of admissions and applications, please refer to Tables
1, 2, and
3.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ENROLLMENT
The Graduate School continues to be committed to the recruitment, enrollment, retention,
and graduation of minority graduate students. While efforts supporting this commitment
involve individuals from a variety of normally underrepresented groups, African-Americans
receive particular attention. During 1999-2000, the Graduate School recruitment staff
continued to visit historically black institutions and engage in other activities to
recruit minority students. Recognizing the benefits of recruiting UA undergraduate students,
the Graduate School also personally contacts outstanding UA minority students and hosts
a reception for them. The Graduate School continues actively to recruit students through
services and publications directed toward minority students.
African-Americans comprised 9.9% of on-campus graduate enrollment in the fall of
2000, with 289 students enrolled. Enrollment of African-American graduate students
has steadily increased from 81 students in 1987 (3% of the total graduate enrollment)
and remained stable with 200-225 students (6-7% of the total enrollment) from 1994 to
1997, as seen in Figure 1.
The last few years have seen a significant increase in
African-American graduate enrollment, with 245 students in fall 1998, 262 in fall 1999,
and 289 in fall 2000.
The number of minority students receiving graduate degrees at the University also
has increased. We awarded graduate degrees to 131 minority students in 1999, which
is 8.6 percent of our total number of graduate degree recipients. In contrast, we
awarded graduate degrees to 92 minority students in 1997 and 71 minority students in
1998. The University of Alabama tied for the rank of 100th in the nation in the total
number of minority doctoral degrees awarded in all disciplines, according to a report
in the July 6, 2000 issue of Black Issues in Higher Education. In sub-categories, we
tied for 47th in the nation in the number of doctoral degrees awarded to African-American
students.
To increase minority graduate enrollment and graduation, the University of Alabama Graduate
School makes substantial efforts to ensure that minority students receive needed financial
assistance. Since 1988, the Graduate School has provided scholarships, fellowships, and
stipends for over 160 minority graduate scholars and has funded minority graduate students
for almost $2 million in stipends and tuition scholarships. We provided funding for 30
graduate students in our minority fellowship programs during 1999-2000. Due to expanded
Graduate School recruitment and fellowship activities, there were more participants in
the minority graduate fellowship programs during 1999-2000 than in any previous year.
Several programs are in place to provide targeted financial assistance for minority groups
in conjunction with other bodies. For example, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
Minority Doctoral Scholars program is in its sixth year and provides stipends for minority
students at the University, while the Graduate School funds tuition scholarships. For some
Minority Doctoral Scholars, the Graduate School has a partnership with SREB to provide half
of a $12,000 annual stipend plus full tuition support. Similar forms of support include the
Joint Faculty Development Program and the Future Faculty Fellows Program, which provide
substantial assistance to African-American students who plan to become college or university
professors. Financial support is also provided for participants in the Joint Faculty/Staff
Development Program with Stillman College, an HBCU in Tuscaloosa. The numerous Graduate
School fellowship and scholarship programs are described in detail in following sections.
In addition, prospective minority students are directed to fellowships, assistantships,
scholarships, and other sources of financial aid for which they may apply.
The Minority Graduate Student Assistance Office offers a variety of support services for
students. The Graduate School provides funds and support for the UA African-American
Graduate Student Association, which had been inactive for several years before becoming
active again in fall 1998. The group sponsors panel discussions, information fairs, and
receptions. The African-American Graduate Student Association remains a very active
association on campus. The association’s president serves as a representative to the
Graduate Council. The Graduate School provides travel funds for officers to attend the
National Black Graduate Student Conferences and, for Spring 2000, provided travel funds
for three officers to attend the national conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Graduate School assisted the UA TRIO office in obtaining a U.S. Department of Education
grant for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, a research training
program for undergraduates who wish to pursue graduate study, and has been active in
implementation of the UA McNair program during 2000. The Graduate School has agreed to
provide tuition scholarships for any UA McNair scholar who attends graduate school at UA
and to assist UA McNair scholars with identifying and applying for departmental graduate
assistantships. In April 2000, our first UA McNair scholar was accepted into Graduate
School and awarded a graduate assistantship and tuition scholarship. We have conducted
recruitment activities for McNair fellows in the Southern region and pay the graduate
application fee for any McNair fellow who applies to UA. The UA Student Support Services
Program is another U.S. Department of Education TRIO program for undergraduate scholars
from disadvantaged groups. The Graduate School also pays the application fees and provides
assistance on applying to graduate programs for participants in the UA Student Support
Services Program.
The Graduate School held a university-wide forum on the “Recruitment and Retention of
Minority Graduate Students” on February 10, 2000. The main focus of this forum was to
provide University of Alabama graduate departments with information about current
techniques, resources, and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of minority
graduate students. Over 75 deans, department chairs, and graduate program directors
attended the forum. Speakers included Ansley A. Abraham, Ph.D., Director of the Southern
Regional Education Board’s (SREB) Minority Doctoral Scholars program, and Paul B. Mohr,
Sr., Ed. D., Director of Special Programs for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education
(ACHE) and former President of Talladega College.
Figure 3
On-campus African-American Enrollment - 1995 to 2000
