By Dudley Brown
The Class of 2027 is getting acclimated to campus life after receiving a warm welcome beginning with move-in. They’re a record-setting class for the college, and each student brings something distinctive to the community.
“The Class of 2027 was selected from one of our largest and most competitive applicant pools in college history,” says Megan Tyler ’14, Wofford’s director of admission. “We are confident that they have what it takes to be successful at Wofford. They were chosen. Specifically selected. Handpicked. Of the thousands of applications, the students who joined us this fall rose to the top.”
According to Tyler, the class of 511 students includes:
281 women and 230 men.
121 legacies.
129 student-athletes.
89 Pell Grant recipients.
76 first-generation college students.
70 Palmetto Fellows.
46% of the class is from outside of South Carolina.
The class represents 27 states and 11 countries, including New Zealand, Egypt, Sweden, Jamaica and Croatia.
Their high school accomplishments include:
- The class average GPA exceeds 4.0.
- 178 team captains, including one person who captained four teams.
- 77 were club presidents, including one who was president of four clubs.
- 27 editors of high school publications.
- 24 received Gold and Eagle Scout awards.
- Nine were student body presidents.
- Eight were valedictorians or salutatorians.
In addition, the Class of 2027 includes:
- A finalist from the women’s Croatian basketball league.
- A captain of the under-17 Egyptian national men’s basketball team.
- A tennis player ranked in the top 10 of players in the United Kingdom under 18 years old.
- The recipient of the top attorney award for the National High School Mock Trial Tournament.
- A member of the National Guard who recently completed boot camp.
- Someone who ziplined through the jungles of Belize during the summer.
- Someone who completed a 300-mile backpacking trip that spanned three states and took 19 days to complete.
- Several published writers.
- A chess player with an 1850 rating, which is better than 90% of all rated players.
- The founder of the first independent student film studio in the country who produced a documentary featured in three film festivals.
- A student who started a sneaker consignment business in eighth grade that generated over $12,000 in profits.
HOW DID WOFFORD WELCOME THE CLASS OF 2027?
The move-in swarm!
Students, staff and faculty cheer as families arrive on campus. They swarm the car, unload and tote everything into residence hall rooms.
Fun and games
Getting oriented into the campus community means field day, meeting faculty advisors, service projects, signing the honor pledge and plenty of time to meet friends.
Camp Greystone
First-year students load buses for the trip to Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, N.C., for a day of lakeside fun and gigantic T-bone steaks. (Thanks Gervais Hollowell ’83!)
Opening Convocation
André Caldwell ’05, corporate attorney with Boeing Co., in Oklahoma City, rreturns to Wofford as the Opening Convocation speaker to share his story. It’s the official start of the Class of 2027’s Wofford story.
Tolling of the bell
The college bell tolls for each first-year student during Orientation week. Next up is a toll for each graduate in the class on graduation day in 2027.
First 54
The first 54 days of the semester are devoted to engaging the Class of 2027 in the community. Departments and organizations across campus show how eager they are to support the college’s newest Terriers.
During the opening session for the Class of 2027 on move-in day, Tyler spoke to the class and left them with these words:
“Four years from now, in 1,359 days, you’ll be preparing to cross the stage for your graduation.”
Just imagine what your list of accomplishments will look like four years from now:
- Graduated with honors.
- Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
- Received a full scholarship to medical school.
- Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
- Started your first day as an investment banking analyst.
- Earned a scholarship to law school.
- Pursuing a Ph.D. in medical physics.
- Moved to Brandenburg, Germany, as a Fulbright English teacher.
- Joined the staff at NBC in New York City.
These are just a few accomplishments of our recent graduates.
Wofford will open doors for you that you can’t even imagine. All you have to do is take advantage of the opportunities provided to you here.
We’re excited for your arrival today … not because of the things you’ve accomplished in your past, but for the great things we know are in store for you in your future here.
So, here’s to the Wofford College Class of 2027! We’ve been waiting for you!
IF YOU’RE STARTING YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH
Things to consider when choosing a college
Choosing a college is a significant milestone in a student's life. It marks the start of a transformative journey that will shape their academic, personal and professional future. The process, however, can be overwhelming. Megan Tyler ’14, Wofford’s director of admission, has a few tips to help students and their families as they begin their search.
Focus on your fit
Many colleges share the same overarching goals and offer similar academic programs, co-curricular experiences and opportunities for students to be involved. The primary differentiating factor between colleges is often the campus community. Focus on finding a community that will support you and your goals.
Visit different types of colleges
Often learning what you dislike is just as helpful as learning what you do like. Visit both large and small institutions. Use your college visits to gain insight into what you can expect as a student.
Build a balanced college list
Applying to a couple of highly selective institutions is great, but highly selective colleges shouldn’t be the only colleges on your list. Your list should also include colleges where your academic profile is similar to the mid-50th percentile of admitted students. Finally, make sure to submit your application to at least one college where your academic profile is above the mid-50th percentile.
Where you attend college doesn’t determine who you’ll be
Your college experience is what you choose to make it. Your acceptance to a prestigious institution doesn’t guarantee your success after graduation. Your effort and execution do. Wherever you end up, invest fully in your college experience and embrace the opportunities provided to you.
Cost and Financial Aid
We know cost is a significant factor for many families in making a college decision. 99% of Wofford’s Class of 2027 received some form of financial aid, and the average financial aid package exceeded $45,000. To be considered for all forms of Wofford funding, we ask students to complete the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid). Even though families may not qualify for federal aid, there is a high likelihood they will qualify for Wofford grant funding. 83% of admitted students who completed the FAFSA last year received a Wofford College grant.
Schedule a Wofford visit
We want you to give Wofford a try. Come visit! Schedule a campus tour at wofford.edu/admission.
MEET SOME MEMBERS OF THE CLASS 0F 2027
AVERY ABRAM ’27
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Planned major: Finance with a minor in education
Why Wofford?
I chose Wofford because of the warm, welcoming environment and priority put on student-teacher relationships.
What have you read, watched or listened to that’s impacting your worldview?
Like most people my age, I see lots of exaggerated, biased news on TikTok. Rather than feeding into the spread of that news, I try my best to surround myself with people of varying viewpoints and opinions as opposed to only seeing the world from one side of the political spectrum. I also try to read as much as possible from varying sources.
GRAYSON GREGG ’27
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Planned major: Biology and Spanish with a minor in finance
Why Wofford?
During winter break in seventh grade, I visited my dad’s side of the family in Florence, S.C. After Christmas, we were getting ready to go home, and we stopped by a Starbucks. There was a deluge of customers, so I held the door for them. An older customer approached me and asked why I was holding the door for everyone else. When I told him I didn’t know, I guess it was just the way I was raised, he seemed impressed and invited me to have coffee with him while I waited for my parents. He told me all about Wofford, his alma mater, and that it is filled with people with a substance of character similar to mine, and that I should consider attending. Later, I applied, and ended up getting a full scholarship on merit, along with a preferred walk-on offer to play on the football team.
Who inspires you?
My grandfather was one of the first Black teachers at his school in Charleston, S.C. He taught both Black and white students, and through his skill and passion for his profession, earned the respect of his students and their parents, regardless of race. He also helped found the Mount Pleasant historical commission, and he was the creator of Mount Pleasant’s Black History Month program. I, however, am not only proud of and inspired by his accomplishments, but also because of his strong character. His willingness to do whatever he could for his family, raising my mom and her two siblings together with his wife, while also remaining a dedicated servant to his community is something that I have learned to appreciate and aspire to emulate in my own life.
ESSIE CORBETT ’27
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Planned major: Biology and chemistry, with lots of classes across disciplines
Why Wofford?
I thrive in an environment that is supportive and collaborative. I look forward to the many unique opportunities that create a cohesive Wofford community, including Interims and living on campus all four years.
Who inspires you?
My teachers inspire me to learn in every way. Relationships with my teachers have always been important to me because they push me to listen to my peers, ask questions and expand my scope of learning. My family pushes me to be my best, seek out the good and take time for myself.
JOSEPH KHALIL ’27
Hometown: Inman, S.C.
Planned major: Government
Why Wofford?
Wofford has a rigorous academic program. I will be able to immerse myself in different experiences whether that be studying abroad or interning at a local office. I am confident that I will be prepared for my future endeavors. Additionally, its close-knit community is unmatched.
What have you read, watched or listened to that’s impacting your worldview?
Recently, I watched “A Bronx Tale” directed by Robert De Niro. In just two hours, the film has taught me a lifetime of lessons concerning economic struggle, the destructive impact of racial prejudices and the role of family in society. Also, I must mention “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman. Though written in 1985, the book’s themes of how entertainment has diluted modern discourse, politics and journalism remain relevant to this day.
JOEY KISH ’27
Hometown: Pottstown, Pa.
Planned major: Accounting, economics and finance
Why Wofford?
The people — both students and faculty — were so warm and welcoming when I visited campus several times for interviews. When I walked onto campus for the first time I instantly felt at home, and I cannot say that about any other college I toured (and I went on probably 20 tours). I also felt that the programs and professors for my major were going to greatly help me achieve my goal of becoming a sports agent in the future!
What have you read, watched or listened to that’s impacting your worldview?
The YouTube channel “Yes Theory” is a group of guys that capture their experience seeking discomfort in many ways throughout the world. Whether it be spontaneously deciding to travel to a random place that a stranger decides, to hammocking in between cliffs in the Grand Canyon, they really preach the fact that some of the best moments in a person’s life occur when outside of their comfort zone. I really appreciate that message and think that it applies to how humans set goals and live their lives in general.
ASHLEIGH SIMMONS ’27
Hometown: Clover, S.C.
Planned major: Government, business minor, pre-law
Why Wofford?
I chose Wofford because of the close-knit community. I also wanted to go somewhere where I could receive a high-quality education and achieve close connections with all of my professors.
Who inspires you?
My parents inspire me the most and have the biggest impact on my life. They encourage and support me to achieve my goals while also teaching me valuable life lessons. They have sacrificed a lot for my sister and me, which motivates me to work hard in both school and sports.
What have you read, watched or listened to that’s impacting your worldview?
I recently watched a documentary called “The Social Dilemma” that highlighted the impacts of the increased use of technology and some of the hazards that come along with it. Social media has one of the biggest impacts today causing a change in the way people communicate and view each other. Although social media has allowed for easy communication and access to things we like, it has affected the way we communicate with other people. Although technology has done wonderful things that were once thought impossible, it has forever changed the way people communicate with each other due to the decrease in interpersonal relationships.