University of New Haven Welcoming One of the Largest Classes in its History

In advance of the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, the University of New Haven is hosting move-in day for its incoming Class of 2028, which includes nearly 1,400 first-year students, marking the second largest class in the University’s more than 100-year history, and it’s largest since 2017.

On move-in day, incoming students and their families will be welcomed by Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., who is participating in his first move-in day since being named the University's seventh president earlier this year.

The Class of 2028 hails from 41 states and 16 countries. Approximately 75 percent of the incoming class will live in University housing. More than 40 percent of the incoming class are first-generation students, and nearly 50 percent are students of color. The average SAT score of the incoming class is 1112, and the average GPA is 3.46.

On the heels of the launch of its new “Power On” branding campaign, the University received more than 24,000 applications for admission to its Class of 2028, leading to one of the most selective classes in University history.

Despite widespread challenges students nationwide experienced with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the University received nearly 9,000 FAFSA applications, an all-time high.

‘The success of our students is deeply personal to us’

Incoming first-year students started to get to know each other earlier this summer when they took part in the University’s Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program. In groups led by Orientation and Transition Leaders, current students who will serve as a resource for new Chargers throughout the fall semester, the Class of 2028 started to get to know their classmates.

“Our OTL talked with us a lot about respecting others, about creating a community, and always sticking with each other,” said Schuyler Coles ’28, a business management major. “That’s the feeling I got being here. A real community.”

Parents and families also took part in SOAR and learned more about the University’s commitment to maximizing student outcomes and their return on investment.

Kimberly Giancoli, whose daughter Joey Somers ’28 will be a music and sound recording major, said, “It’s a great university that puts students first,” Giancoli said. “I’m very excited for my daughter.”

After moving in, first-year students will take part in a series of events during Charge In that will lead up to the first day of classes on August 26. The first day of classes through Labor Day weekend will be Welcome Week with a variety of programs to help the newest Chargers build relationships with their classmates, learn more about the resources in place to help them succeed, and start their Charger journey on the right foot.

“We are grateful our parents and families have entrusted us with their students,” said President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. “This is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our faculty and staff are exceptional, and the success of our students is deeply personal to us.”