Founded in 1969, The University of Texas at Dallas has evolved into one of the top research institutions in Texas and its programs in engineering and the biomedical sciences have gained national attention. With an enrollment of nearly 28,000, UT Dallas offers students a close-knit community with excellent student-faculty ratios of 23:1. However, UT Dallas is also backed by the powerful UT System and is aligned strategically with other institutions to offer advanced research opportunities traditionally found at larger institutions. The success of students reflects UT Dallas’ rigorous academic and research focus. Over 70% of UTD pre-health students are admitted to medical schools, compared to an average national admission rate of 40%. In addition, students advised through the Pre-Law Advising and Resource Center are regularly admitted to top law school programs throughout the country. The vibrant, dynamic and globally connected Dallas-Fort Worth area attracts a wide assortment of students and faculty to UTD. UT Dallas is ranked as a best value university by Kiplinger's and The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education ranks UT Dallas as #1 in the nation and #21 in the world among the top 200 universities under 50 years of age. UT Dallas consistently attracts top scholars. The average entering freshman SAT for fall 2017 was 1323 and a nearly 36% of freshmen ranked in the top 10% of their high school class, with 64% in the top 25%. UT Dallas is ranked #3 among public universities for National Merit Scholars graduating from High School last year. Located in Richardson, Texas, UTD is in a prime location that places it in the second largest state and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation. Because of the two local airports, Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Dallas area is an international destination. Richardson, known as The Telecom Corridor, is home to diverse global technology-based companies, and of the 10 most profitable companies reported by Fortune 500, eight companies or their subsidiaries recruit UT Dallas students.