First-year students celebrate the start of the academic year during Saturday’s Serendipity Sendoff and welcome picnic. Members of this year’s freshman class posted an average ACT score of 24.25 and collective GPA of 3.45, both record marks. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The incoming class of first-time, full-time freshmen at the University of Missouri–St. Louis has set two academic records, with an average ACT of 24.25 and collective GPA of 3.45. Classes began Monday with an estimated 15,312 students enrolling in undergraduate, graduate, professional and advanced credit programs.

“UMSL continues to attract highly motivated, diverse students who understand and appreciate our value proposition,” Chancellor Tom George said. “Our faculty and staff look forward to helping them succeed in and out of the classroom.”

George, who is retiring Sept. 1 after 16 years as chancellor, sent students his final welcome earlier Monday. Among his advice to students was to “study judiciously. Become involved in campus activities. Find external internships and push yourself to your greatest limits. Continue to make UMSL the wonderful university that it is.”

First-day enrollment overview:

Undergraduate – 6,935

Graduate – 2,696

Optometry – 181

Advanced Credit – 5,500

Preliminary figures on opening day are not official as many students continue to enroll or drop in the first few weeks. Official figures will be released in early October.