By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor

Future spring semesters may see less transfer students because many are choosing to come at the beginning of the school year, said Gretchen Etheredge of the Office of Admissions and Recruiting. This spring, 94 new and transfer students joined the ACU community.

“I think we’re getting more [students] from the beginning,” Etheredge said.

However, this semester, Etheredge estimated that actually a few more transfer students came to ACU than in years past.

Lisa McCarty, assistant director of institutional research and assessment, said the office hasn’t looked at spring retention rates yet.

Total enrollment for this spring is 4,348, slightly less than the 4,427 students who enrolled in spring 2006.

Fall enrollment rates were record-high this year, at 4,796. About 230 students graduated in December.

“In the spring, generally the students that we get are the ones who chose to go someplace for the first semester, and then decide, ‘I should have gone to ACU,” Etheredge said.

Less are athletes, international students, or freshman in their first semester.

Laura Blake, director of international student services, said international students often arrive midyear because they can’t get a visa earlier or their school year ends at a different time.

Arriving midyear presents a challenge because students do not arrive with the bulk of the student body; however, Blake said everyone adjusts.

“I think in some ways, it’s easier because it’s not so crazy,” she said. “Maybe it’s not as overwhelming as August is.”