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Colleges see record number of applicants

By Sarah Langbein , Special to the Rocky

Published March 1, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
Updated March 1, 2008 at 1:33 a.m.

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A record number of freshman applications are pouring into Colorado universities for the upcoming school year.

Many of the state's four- year institutions are reporting percentage increases in the double-digits over last year's freshman application pool - a phenomenon happening across the country.

Nationally, a record number of high school seniors, the children of baby boomers, are graduating this year.

College admissions offices have been preparing for the influx.

At the University of Denver, admissions counselors have seen a steady increase of applicants for the past five years, said Todd Rinehart, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment and director of admissions.

"We've been preparing for it," he said. "We're certainly not overwhelmed."

Still, DU is having a historic year. As of this week, the university has received 8,251 applications, a 33 percent increase from the same time last year.

In addition to a booming number of incoming freshmen, Rinehart attributes his school's record to a stellar academic reputation. Not only is DU receiving more applications, he said, but it's also seeing interest from higher caliber students.

At Colorado State University, applications are up 19 percent, and the school estimates its fall freshman enrollment to be close to 4,650. Last year, the incoming class totaled 4,392.

In Boulder, more than 20,000 students have applied to the University of Colorado, according to the Boulder Daily Camera, and CU expects to admit 5,600. The 16 percent increase from last year reflects more applications from in-state and out-of-state students.

This all comes as universities are stepping up their recruitment efforts and making it easier, via the Internet, to apply to college.

A growing pool

Freshman applications to the University of Colorado are up 16 percent over last year.

1998 14,060

1999 14,556

2000 15,453

2001 18,378

2002 19,048

2003 20,813

2004 19,259

2005 17,002

2006 18,061

2007 19,839

2008 23,030*

Comments

  • March 1, 2008

    8:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    unco writes:

    Every school in the state is seeing higher enrollments except for University of Northern Colorado. That is the story you need to write about-WHY? Its clear Kay Norton, a political crony buddy of Dickie Monfort, was only made president of UNC because of her friendship. The CU folks think they got screwed with their new president, well UNC is in serious downfall. A 10% drop in freshman enrollment last fall, they are projecting at least 8% for next year.

    What about the sudden resignation of of Kay Norton's chief of staff?

  • March 10, 2008

    10:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    L2dream writes:

    With the growing number of applications and the number of students who are not accepted into a school of their choice the time has come to make college planning a priority. I am not talking about saving money in a 529, which is a great idea but thoughtful planning on selecting the right school by using a college planning coach.
    With 4000 colleges available to students, applying to one school and hoping you get in is a limiting strategy. A college planning coach can help you select multiple schools that are good fits for your student and also your wallet. In addition to saving you money a coach can help you save your most valuable asset which is your time. Looking and then applying to multiple schools has been a favorite strategy of the most successful families. There are resources available right here in Colorado that makes filling out applications easy called College Zaps.

    Joe Eberle
    www.thecollegestore.net