Ball State University will receive thousands of freshmen this fall. Some will be from other countries, some from other states, some from various cities across Indiana, but a large chunk of those will be students from Muncie and surrounding high schools.
On June 2 at Emens Auditorium, Muncie Southside High School will graduate 194 students. The following evening Muncie Central High School will graduate 232 students, many of whom will attend Ball State.
In 2001, according to the Indiana Department of Education, Muncie Central had 72 percent of graduates pursuing a college education, which is higher then the state norm of 69 percent. Muncie Southside has 35 percent heading to college.
As Muncie residents continue to attend Ball State, its freshman class continues to improve annually.
The Ball State freshman class of 2002 had the highest grade point averages, Core 40 and academic index in Ball State's history. To earn a Core 40 diploma students must successfully complete four years of English; three years of college preparatory mathematics (two of algebra and one of geometry); three years of science (two with a lab); three years of social studies; two years from electives and a physical education and health class. Foreign language is also recommended.
The state average for receiving a CORE 40 diploma is 58 percent of all graduating seniors. Muncie Central holds a 55 percent average of CORE 40 diplomas, while Muncie Southside holds a 43 percent average as of 2002, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
In 2002, Indiana residents made up 90.8 percent of freshman enrollment at Ball State, according to the Fall 2002 Enrollment Synopsis.
Although an amount is not available for Muncie residents alone, the number is seemingly high when taking into account how many graduating seniors plan to attend Ball State, according to Muncie High School guidance counselors.
Dale Basham, director of guidance at Muncie Southside High School, said most seniors attending college at Southside will be attending Ball State.
Ball State attracts students for various reasons. Alumna Melissa Latta from Yorktown came to Ball State because it was the only school in Indiana that offered her major, deaf education.
Sophomore Ashley Rees, also from Yorktown, came to Ball State to save money to buy a car. Senior Andy McKibben, who graduated from Southside High School, came to Ball State because he was already familiar with the campus.
"I did want to stay close to home, but I also knew it was cheaper if I went somewhere that I could continue living at home," Rees said.
Muriel Weeden, head of the guidance department at Muncie Central High School, said Muncie high school graduates attend Ball State to avoid paying room and board.
However, escaping the prices of room and board can affect a student's college experience.
"I'm glad I didn't live at home because I think I would have missed out on a lot of stuff that went on around campus," McKibben said.
"I don't feel that I had the same college experience living at home my freshman year than if I had lived in the dorms," Rees said.
Muncie residents, however, can save money by taking advantage of the few scholarships offered directly for graduating Muncie seniors, according to Ball State's office of scholarship and financial aid.
Students can find out about these scholarships through their high schools' guidance department.
According to McKibben, coming to Ball State and being from Muncie made the transition into college a lot easier.
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