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Hundreds of cars with license plates from New Jersey, California, Illinois and elsewhere made their way to the University of Tampa campus today, the first day of residential student move-in. Approximately 1,500 students were scheduled to move onto campus Wednesday, and over the next few days, more than 3,500 students are expected to join them.

On campus roads and in parking lots, cars stuffed to the roof with essentials and extras spilled their contents as family, friends and professional and student staff helped students stack dollies high and dump items into wheeled bins to move in across the 12 residence halls.

The Solomon family from Albany, New York, had a novel strategy for their daughter, Avery. “We were lucky to ship plenty of our gear to grandma and grandpa’s house an hour south of here,” said Avery’s father, Scott. “We flew in, rented a car and packed it up pretty tight.

“The University said, ‘Bring what you need, not what you want,’ but I don’t think she listened to that exactly,” Scott Solomon said as he unloaded an espresso maker from the back of a minivan. Avery Solomon, a first-year political science major, met her roommate through Instagram, and the two became fast friends while strategizing a pink theme for their room.

Coming from the opposite direction was the Duke family, who traveled from Trinidad and Tobago to drop off their daughter, Aaliyeh.

“She’s pursuing international business and wanted to experience North America,” said Darryl Duke, her father. “I did university in the Caribbean, which is (completely different) — like chalk and cheese.”

Their plan was to spend the day getting comfortable. “We like the warmth and friendliness and the cleanliness and greenery of the campus,” Darryl Duke said. “After coming all these miles from Trinidad, we appreciate the positive energy.”

Meanwhile, first-year entrepreneurship major Evan Longval was already thinking about how to get involved on campus. The Boston native is looking forward to joining clubs in the Sykes College of Business and possibly pursuing UTampa’s new minor in real estate. Outside of academics, Longval’s plans for the semester include joining the club hockey team and going to Tampa Bay Lightning games at nearby Benchmark International Arena.

Max Denny was also drawn to the entrepreneurship program, he said, because of the freedom that comes with being his own boss. “You’re not limited to what someone else wants you to be.”

Denny, a first-year student, doesn’t know yet what business he’ll start, but he came to UTampa from Huntington Beach, California, to figure it out. The cross-country move is a big one, but it will be good for him to get out of his comfort zone, said his mother, Michele Denny.

Both Kamile Lacy and Ava Grant were immediately sold on UTampa after their first visit to campus.

“It was the only school where I walked in and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I see myself here,’” said Lacy.

The first-year students also already have research on their minds. Lacy, from Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, is majoring in biology on a pre-med track, while Grant, from Orlando, is pursuing psychology. Grant said she did research in high school on the psychology of eating disorders and joined the Honors Program at UTampa with the hope of continuing that work.

“I love learning about the brain and different disorders,” she said.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 31, for an estimated 11,900 students, a new record for total enrollment. This year’s incoming class is the most academically selective in the University’s history, enrolling close to 3,000 new students — from all 50 states and countries around the world — out of 45,700 applications.

W. Michael Hendricks, vice president for strategic enrollment planning, said the record-setting year reflects UTampa’s continued investment in campus facilities and programs and commitment to access and student success.

This year's incoming class also includes the University's third cohort of Davis United World College Scholars, further strengthening the global perspectives of the UTampa community. Strong graduation outcomes, an accomplished student body and sustained demand from a geographically diverse applicant pool continue to distinguish UTampa in an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace.

"The University of Tampa has tremendous momentum," said Hendricks. "Record enrollment, unprecedented student demand, increasing academic selectivity and continued investment in the student experience are strengthening UTampa's national and international reputation.”