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KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 19, 2018

Being first has its advantages, and local high school senior David VanAsselberg now has the Kennesaw State swag to show it. He recently earned distinction as the first student in the Class of 2022 鈥� a milestone in the University鈥檚 new competitive admissions model. 

The Roswell High School senior was surprised with a celebratory visit from members of Kennesaw State鈥檚 undergraduate admissions team for being the first among this year鈥檚 accepted freshman class to officially submit his enrollment deposit, confirming his attendance at Kennesaw State for the fall of 2018.

Showered with black and gold balloons and Kennesaw State swag, VanAsselberg didn鈥檛 realize the magnitude of this honor.

鈥淚t鈥檚 cool,鈥� he said. 鈥淚'm now a part of KSU鈥檚 history.鈥�

VanAsselberg is part of the first class of students to be accepted under the University鈥檚 new competitive admissions model for freshmen.

鈥淲e wanted to do something special and exciting for a student like David, who is an example of an academically high-achieving student that seized the opportunity of our first Early Action application period,鈥� said Admissions Director Sam Mahra.

KSU鈥檚 new competitive admissions model, also called a fixed-seat model, was implemented this fall and allows admissions staff to admit an optimal size freshman and transfer class, based on the number of qualified applicants.

While existing admissions standards did not change as part of the new model, this year鈥檚 applicants could apply under early action, like VanAsselberg did, or regular decision, explained Mahra. The regular decision deadline is March 1.

According to Mahra, the new approach has been a big change from what people have historically expected for admission to KSU, and will enable the University to manage enrollment growth and facilitate students鈥� timely degree progressions.

鈥淲e grabbed the attention of high-ability students who otherwise would not have considered Kennesaw State, despite being a contender in terms of academic reputation and offerings,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith all the great things going on here over the last few years, KSU has become a first choice for more students who want a large university experience with easy access to all the opportunities that being in metro Atlanta can bring.鈥�

VanAsselberg, who plans to major in , knew he wanted to attend Kennesaw State 鈥� his top college pick 鈥� from the onset. His dad, also David, earned a Master of Information Systems degree from Kennesaw State in 2006. Kim VanAsselberg, David鈥檚 mother, said her son heard her husband say so many good things about Kennesaw State that it was probably 鈥減retty persuasive.鈥�

鈥淒avid is a great example of what students need to do 鈥� check email, stay on top of the admissions process, and be engaged with KSU,鈥� Mahra said.

As for VanAsselberg, he鈥檚 excited about his future college plans.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to living on campus and moving away from home 鈥� and mom and dad 鈥� and being a part of KSU,鈥� he said. And smiling, he says he will be 鈥榬epping KSU鈥� with all of his new swag.

For more information about applying to Kennesaw State, visit the  or check out 黑料网 Admissions on  and .

Written by Tiffany Capuano
Photos by Lauren Kress