UC Davis expects a strong entering class this fall after admitting 20,841 prospective students from California -- with significant increases among underrepresented groups -- from a record number of applicants. Of the 16,860 California freshmen admitted, about 4,500 are expected to enroll at UC Davis. "The students admitted to the class of 2005 are very diverse and academically excellent," says Gary Tudor, UC Davis director of undergraduate admissions and outreach services. "We were impressed with the high number of college preparatory courses taken and the high marks earned in accelerated classes." Record Number of Applications A record 27,090 applications from California freshmen -- up 10.8 percent overall and 17.4 percent among underrepresented groups -- were reviewed this year. Sixty percent of the admitted students were chosen based on academic grade-point average, test scores, number of courses completed in core subjects and the number of approved honors courses completed. The remaining 40 percent were selected on the basis of academic accomplishment, including achievement in the context of their local high school plus such other considerations as leadership promise, special talents, initiative, persistence, disadvantaged educational background, low income and significant disability. Mix of Students Californian freshmen from historically underrepresented groups -- African American, American Indian, Mexican American and Latino -- formed 14.6 percent of this year's admit pool compared with 13 percent last year. The percentage of Asian American students remained the same at 29.2 percent of the admit pool. Caucasians this year represented 39.8 percent of the admitted pool compared with 41.2 percent last year. This year, slightly fewer admitted students declined to state their ethnicity -- 8.2 percent of those admitted compared with last year's 8.4 percent. Changes in Numbers The number of admitted California freshman students identifying themselves as members of historically underrepresented groups increased from 2,016 last year to 2,463 this year. There were significant increases in African Americans, from 395 to 419 or 6.1 percent, and Chicanos, from 1,147 to 1,450 or 26.4 percent. The number of Latinos increased from 387 to 481 or 24.3 percent. There were also increases among American Indians, from 87 to 113 or 2.9 percent, and East Indians, from 451 to 472 or 4.7 percent. Students identifying themselves as Asian American this year increased by 8.8 percent, from 4,519 to 4,918. The number of Filipinos in the admitted pool increased by 22.8 percent, from 549 to 674. The number of students identifying themselves as Caucasian increased by 4 percent, from 6,399 to 6,656. Those who identified themselves as being from other ethnic groups increased 17.6 percent, from 281 to 297, and accounted for 5.7 percent of the admit pool. "The admission rates for the regional area students remain high and give us confidence that early academic development and motivational programs are reaching many students in the local schools," Tudor says. Enrollment Programs Admitted students are offered a number of opportunities to visit the campus to meet students, faculty, staff and alumni. UC Davis Welcome -- April 9-13, 16 and 20 -- includes campus tours and information sessions. Transfer students Of the 5,616 Californian applicants seeking to transfer from a community college or university, 3,981 have been admitted, and about 1,800 are expected to enroll. "The statewide Transfer Admission Agreements and Transfer Opportunity Programs with local and Bay Area community colleges provide excellent advising and guidance for students desiring a baccalaureate degree," Tudor says. Admitted students have until June 1 to indicate their intent to register at UC Davis. And for the second year, UC Davis applicants have the option of checking their application and admission status at http://sisweb.ucdavis.edu.