USC Class of 2015: Most Diverse in University History

The University of Southern California reported Wednesday that the incoming class of 2015 is the most diverse ever in the school's history.

Image courtesy Associated Press

USC reported that 25 percent of incoming freshman this year are Asian, 12 percent are Hispanic, 7 percent are African American and 2 percent are Native American or Pacific Islander.

The university's reputation is expanding globally, with 15 percent of incoming freshmen as international students.

"It's great," said junior Patrick Hall. "Trojan Family: the key word is family. It's good for us to know what each culture is like around the world."

A majority of freshmen are now from outside of California. Thirty-seven percent are from other states, most popular of which are Texas, Washington, New York, Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts.

"I'm from California, so I think it's fun to meet people from other places," said sophomore Courtney Wallace.

As a transfer student, Wallace said she finds USC to be more diverse than other campuses she has visited.

The report also said the class of 2015 is the most upwardly mobile in the school's history. Of the 2,931 new students this year, about 14 percent are the first in their families to attend college.

"Not only are these students incredibly talented, both inside and outside the classroom, but they are a more diverse group by all measures-- ethnically, geographically and socially," Dean of Admissions Timothy Brunold said.

USC's academic standards is also continuing to skyrocket.  The university accepted more than 8,500 students out of 37,210 applicants for only 2,931 spots.  The admissions rate was 23 percent.

The newest Trojans were leaders at their high schools-- about ten percent were valedictorians.  More than 90 percent were in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes. The average GPA for the incoming class of 2015 was 3.72.