The last of some 14,000 offers of admission are now in the mail to prospective fall 1998 freshmen -- the first class to be chosen by the University of California, Davis, without consideration of race, ethnicity or gender. "We are admitting a class that we are very proud of, a class of talented students who have worked hard and successfully for UC Davis eligibility, some against all odds," said Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef. A record 20,335 applications were reviewed, with 60 percent of the admitted students chosen solely on test scores and grade point averages and the remaining 40 percent selected on academic accomplishment plus such other considerations as leadership promise, special talents, initiative, persistence, disadvantaged educational background, low income, significant disability, or status as a veteran. Of the 14,000 admitted, 3,625 are expected to eventually enroll. A sharp rise in the number of applicants declining to state ethnicity -- 14 percent of those admitted compared to last year's 5 percent -- makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the demographic make-up of the admitted students, according to Carol Wall, vice chancellor for student affairs. Mix of students Students from historically underrepresented groups -- African American, American Indian, Mexican American and Latino -- formed 17.3 percent of last year's admit pool, compared to 12.9 percent this year (and 13.6 percent of this year's total applicants). Asian American students comprised 29.2 percent of last year's pool, compared to 30.8 percent this year (and 30.9 percent of total applicants); Caucasian students, 43 percent last year and 37.7 percent this year (and 36.2 percent of total applicants); other ethnicities, 5.2 percent last year and 4.3 percent this year (and 4.4 percent of total applicants). Students not stating an ethnicity accounted for 5.3 percent of last year's admit pool, compared to 14.3 percent this year (and 14.9 percent of total applicants). Changes in number Admitted students identifying themselves as members of historically underrepresented groups declined by 532 or 23.5 percent (from 2,266 to 1,734), with the largest decreases among African Americans (from 518 to 332, or 35.9 percent) and Latinos (from 487 to 352, or 27.7 percent). American Indians declined from 122 to 100, or 18 percent; Mexican Americans decreased from 1,139 to 950, or 16.6 percent. Students identifying themselves as Asian American increased by 8.3 percent, from 3,813 to 4,130. Chinese admits grew by 3.4 percent, from 1,974 to 2,042; Japanese by 18.7 percent, from 241 to 286; Koreans by 12.7 percent, from 457 to 515; Vietnamese by 16.3 percent, from 406 to 472; Filipinos by 15.5 percent, from 433 to 500; other Asians by 8.9 percent, from 259 to 282. Pacific Islanders, however, declined by 23.3 percent, from 43 to 33. Students identifying themselves as Caucasian declined by 9.8 percent, from 5,615 to 5,064. East Indian and Pakistani students increased by 3.5 percent, from 375 to 388, while students identified as other ethnicities declined 40.6 percent, from 315 to 188. Students not claiming an ethnicity increased 176.7 percent, from 692 to 1,915. "These changes may reflect, at least in part, the effects of social policy decisions guiding the development of diverse classes at the University of California," said Vanderhoef. "Since the early 1970s, social policy has dictated that consideration should be given to those from groups historically underrepresented. With the advent of the Regents' decision, in SP-1, and the decision of the citizens of the state, in Proposition 209, social policy changed. But the University of California remains committed to the pursuit of diversity and to serving all qualified students of the state, from every ethnic and social background." Persuasive efforts It's too early yet in the process to know what the class of 2002 will look like, cautions Wall. Admitted students have until May 1 to notify the campus of their intent to register. Until then, she says, special efforts will be made to help boost especially the number of admitted underrepresented students accepting admission. Activities include an April Welcome Week, several workshops and "get-acquainted days," and alumni gatherings throughout the state, as well as special mailings to all admits and phone calls from current students. "We've put more emphasis on all of these efforts to ensure that those who have been admitted will have the opportunity to view more comprehensively the value and benefits of coming here," said Gary Tudor, director of admissions and outreach. "These students have been admitted to a number of very high-quality institutions, both public and private, and we will encourage them to make UC Davis their final choice." K-12 outreach In the longer term, the campus is vigorously pursuing its educational outreach initiative, a partnership with three Sacramento school districts, California State University-Sacramento and the Los Rios Community College District aimed at improving K-12 education and boosting college-going rates and students' eligibility and competitiveness for UC and CSU. "Many with merit still grow up in unfair circumstances that diminish their opportunities, through no fault of their own, so we must -- and will -- step up our efforts to ensure that all who aspire to come to the University of California have a chance to do so," said Vanderhoef. Application changes Tudor said the jump in applicants declining to state ethnicity may be the result of a change in the fall 1998 application form. Unlike previous application forms, optional questions seeking data on ethnicity, race and gender, which is compiled for statistical purposes, were separated from other information used to make admissions decisions. In addition, students needed to hunt a bit to find the appropriate ethnic codes for transfer to the application form. "Some may have simply decided that was too much effort or that the information wasn't relevant, or may have had questions about how the data were to be used," he said. "We're trying to find ways to better understand students' growing reluctance to state ethnicity and to assure them that a statement of ethnicity has nothing to do with admissions decisions."