In Short: Undergraduate Applications Down 7.2 Percent

The number of UNDERGRADUATE-ADMISSION APPLICANTS dropped by 7.2 percent to 32,808 this year, but University officials say they are not concerned. “Last year we had a very big spike” of almost 14 percent, said Dean of the College Jill Dolan, who is acting dean of admission. “This year is consistent with the historical trend.” 

Dolan noted that this was the first admission cycle in which applicants were required to submit a graded high school writing sample, with the writing portion of the SAT or ACT no longer required. While this should not have been an obstacle for most applicants, the change — and the “global political situation” — may have contributed to a 13.5 percent drop in international applications, she said.

The target size for the Class of 2023 is 1,296. The University will seek to enroll 10 to 12 transfer students — the same target number as a year ago, when the transfer program was reinstated.