Va. Tech Shooting Reinforces Many Students' Intentions To Be Hokies

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech officials will soon know how many students will be in next year's freshmen class.<br/><br/>But many students who have been offered admission say the April 16th shootings

Sunday, April 29th 2007, 3:53 pm

By: News On 6

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech officials will soon know how many students will be in next year's freshmen class.

But many students who have been offered admission say the April 16th shootings that killed 33 people and wounded 25 haven't discouraged them from attending. Some have even said the way the university banded together after the tragedy has reinforced their
decision to become Hokies.

Tommy Esson, a high school senior from Wells, Maine, was on campus the day of the shootings. He says several students reassured him and encouraged him to enroll. Esson's mother says the support cemented her son's decision to attend Virginia Tech.

A school spokesman says nearly 13,000 applicants have been offered admission, and they must decide by Tuesday whether to enroll. He says as of last week five had specifically declined because of the shootings.