Most have already been to campus this summer to attend new student orientation, but in less than two weeks, members of the Virginia Tech Class of 2016 will show up for good as they embark on an exciting, life-long journey as a member of Hokie Nation.

Earlier this spring, more than 5,500 students accepted an offer of admission to Virginia Tech. By the time classes begin on Monday, Aug. 27, university officials expect the total number of freshman to be approximately 5,400 first-year undergraduate students.

This year’s freshman class is as bright as ever. The average grade point average (GPA) is 3.98; the middle 50 percent of students had GPAs of 3.75 to 4.22.

The average SAT Reasoning Test (critical reading and mathematics) score is 1250; the middle 50 percent of students had SAT scores ranging from 1160 to 1340.

The Class of 2016 has 124 high school valedictorians or salutatorians.

Of course, the majority of the freshman class is from Virginia. Of those students who accepted admission, 3,861 hail from the commonwealth. The next most represented states are Maryland (327), New Jersey (240), Pennsylvania (197), North Carolina (146), and New York (70).

In all, the Class of 2016 represents 42 states and one territory, and 45 other countries.

University Studies is the most popular academic program for this year’s freshman class, followed by (in order of enrollment) general engineering; biological sciences; general business; human nutrition, foods and exercise; animal and poultry sciences; communication; biochemistry and chemistry; international studies; and architecture.

Other interesting facts about this fall’s freshman class?

  • 1,547 are “legacies,” that is, either a parent, grandparent, or sibling has also attended Virginia Tech.
  • 423 will participate in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
  • For this fall’s freshman class, Virginia Tech received applications from every state with the exception of Wyoming.
  • 264 are international students.
  • 1,266 different high schools are represented by the Class of 2016.
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