August 29, 2001 Sp03 Contact: Sarah Maxwell Director of Media Relations 507.646.4183 Carleton College Welcomes Class of 2005 520 Students Hail From 48 States and 17 Countries Northfield, Minn.-Carleton College welcomes the Class of 2005 with the start of New Student Week on Wednesday, Sept. 5. The 520 students were selected from a pool of 4,061 applicants and they represent 48 states and 17 countries, with 100 students coming from Minnesota, followed by Illinois (60), Wisconsin (29), California (27) and New York (27). Twenty percent of the class are multicultural students, 11 percent are the first generation of their families to attend college and eight percent speak a language other than English at home. Eighty-eight members of the class are National Merit Scholars, three are National Achievement Scholars, and six are National Hispanic Recognition Scholars. Beyond academic achievement, members of this year's entering class have participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities: Over 80 percent have performed community service, 32 percent have played two or more varsity sports, 50 percent play a musical instrument and 32 percent have taken part in a theater or dance production. During New Student Week, the 252 men and 268 women will engage in a variety of activities designed to introduce them to life at Carleton, including the Common Reading, a 13-year-old tradition for new students which reinforces what it means to study at a liberal arts college. This year, students will discuss Ron Suskind's "A Hope in the Unseen," and use it as a platform to identify and discuss issues. Another unique New Student Week activity is the annual "Into the Streets" community service day. Slated for Sunday, Sept. 9, this year's entering students will spend time cleaning up the River Bend Nature Center, as well as volunteering at other local agencies. New Student Week also provides ample time for social activities, academic placement testing, musical group auditions, and course registration. Classes begin on Monday, Sept. 10. # # # #