RENO, Nev. (AP) - The University of Nevada, Reno says nine National Merit Scholars are among new students who began classes this fall, bringing to 25 the total number of national scholars attending the school.

Additionally, officials say this year's freshman class had an average grade point average of 3.35, up 0.6 percent from last year.

Overall, enrollment for the fall semester was flat at 16,862 students, five fewer than last year.

But officials say full time equivalency increased 1.4 percent, with more students taking a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester.