The University of Colorado Denver’s downtown campus graduate division has received an all-time record number of more than 1,000 international student applications for Fall 2013 admission. Offers of admission and overall enrollment trends are also increasing.

“The numbers are still coming in, but apparently our international applications increased by 36% and offers of admission increased by 20% relative to national averages of 2% for application growth and 9% for offers of admission”, said Barry D. Shur, PhD, Dean, Graduate School, referencing the 2013 CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey results. The recent downtown Denver Campus application cycle suggests an upward trend in international students this Fall.

The largest new graduate application student growth has been seen in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Business School. The School of Education and Human Development is enjoying higher than normal international student retention rates. Overall, the international graduate student enrollment at the downtown Denver campus has grown 8% since Fall 2012. Enrolling students are coming from many countries, including Australia, Germany, India, China, Turkey, Russian Federation, Vietnam.

More international students are choosing to study intensive English first at CU Denver’s ESL Academy, in addition to participating in its new GRE Preparation Program.  English immersion at the ESL Academy facilitates English fluency and ensures academic success in degree programs in any of the university’s 13 schools/colleges. Completion of the ESL Academy satisfies the university English language proficiency requirement for most programs.

Many factors contribute to this upswing in international graduate student applications and offers of admission, as well as to in enrollment. The Graduate School’s improved application processing and student services are making an impact, thanks to Krystal Allen, Graduate School Application Manager and Marissa Tomatore, Graduate School Application Specialist. Similar successes are taking place in other graduate departments throughout the downtown Denver campus.

“The Graduate School offers many interdisciplinary masters and doctoral programs that appeal to international students. For all CU Denver programs, International Admissions set out to attract and recruit academically strong international students from diverse locations who show academic promise and will contribute to the CU Denver community,” said George Kacenga, Director, International Enrollment Management.

International student service is also high on the list of shared priorities. The seamless interface between the ESL Academy, International Admissions, and International Student and Scholar Services lends itself to a high level of quality service and an ease of process that international applicants have come to expect. A recent point-of-service satisfaction survey of international students (walk-ins, in-person meetings with IA staff, OIA online services) revealed that 73% rated their interaction as “excellent”, and 75% “were able to meet with an IA team member in “less than five minutes”.

As one international student commented, “Being a walk-on visit, I am pleased with the way I was received by your receptionist, and Clay (Harmon) was very professional and helpful and understanding. I appreciate his guidance immensely.”

“A tremendous effort is involved to recruit such an applicant pool, and it goes beyond the International Admissions Office,” said Kacenga.  “To attract more than 1,000 international graduate applications involves our International Student and Scholar Services team, OIA Marketing and Communications, university faculty/staff and current students, as well as the Provost’s Office. “ The reputation of the University of Colorado Denver led these students to apply, but it is the realization of the institution’s commitment to excellence that will result in them enrolling and becoming proud CU Denver alumni.