Foreign accents and out-of-state license plates might not be as common among the freshman class this year.
The incoming freshmen are from fewer countries, states and North Carolina counties than their predecessors, according to UNC News Services.
The decline in geographical diversity coincides with the use of new tactics by the University’s admissions office to deal with a shrinking travel budget.
Barbara Polk, deputy director of undergraduate admissions, said last year’s admissions process involved more Skype information sessions, more phone interviews and more website improvements to replace face-to-face recruitment.
“I don’t think it was harder to recruit — we just had to be more creative,” Polk said.
She added that the Skype sessions required a more targeted message and will likely be used again this year.
Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.
