Especially after looking at the incoming freshman class.

The approximately 1,450 first-year students hail from all over the world and represent approximately 18 countries, 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Their first day of classes was Sept. 1.

Many in the select group were academic leaders, officers in student government and participants in extracurricular activities and athletics in high school. Collectively, the incoming class has received more than 2,200 special awards and recognitions.

In addition:

• About 925 students are National Honor Society members;

• Nearly 200 were senior class officers, and nearly 500 were officers in service organizations;

• Many served as editors — 108 of yearbooks and 140 of newspapers;

• Musically, 357 were members of their school bands or orchestras, and 239 were members of a choir or chorus, and;

• In athletics, 411 were team captains.

"It is a delight to have such a talented and diverse freshman class on campus," said Nanette H. Tarbouni, director of undergraduate admissions.

"We encourage everyone to extend a warm welcome to them."

In addition to accumulating impressive statistics during their high-school years, the freshmen were chosen from about 20,000 applicants.

"We are excited that so many students chose to come to Washington University," Tarbouni said. "That is quite a compliment to the University community."