Early apps increase by 12 percent

More than 1,600 apply Early decision applications to the University have increased in number by nearly 12 percent over last year, Admissions Dean Lee Stetson said yesterday. This year's 1,640 applications, due Nov. 1, are an indication of the University's increasing popularity among high school students, he added. "It's definitely a move in the right direction," Stetson said. "What I sense is a whole new level of interest in Penn. We hope to enroll 30 to 33 percent of our class by early applications." The University received 1,459 applications for early admission last year. Stetson attributed the greater number of applicants this year to the University's increased visibility -- namely, the new administration, successful athletic teams and additional traveling admissions programs. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla said the University's recent publicity has most likely also affected the increase, citing the new administration's increased emphasis on undergraduate education. Of the total applicant pool, 1,088 applied to the College -- up from last year's 947. The Wharton School received 329 applications, 35 more than in 1993. The School of Nursing had a decrease in applicants, from 55 to this year's total of 32 student applicants. The School of Engineering and Applied Science increased their number of applicants by 15, to 178. Management and Technology, one of the University's two dual-degree programs, increased its number of applications to 57. The International Studies Program, a new program this year, received 32 applications. Stetson attributed this discrepancy to applicants' realization of the international program's difficult admissions standards. Only three students were admitted early decision last year. "The sobering nature of the admissions for this program have sunk in," he said. "Applicants are realizing how difficult it is to get in, and some of the initial excitement has worn off." Despite minor setbacks, more than eight states reached all-time high record number of applicants, including California, Hawaii, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Washington. No applications have been received from Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana or Wyoming. The southeast region had the greatest percentage increase in applications, from seven to 13. The midwest also increased significantly in applicant numbers, to 114 from last year's 92. Of the total applicants, 43 percent are women -- a total of 721 compared to 919 men. The number of international students, at 106, is approximately the same as last year. Almost 220 children of alumni applied early to the University this year, nine more than last year's total. The average rank of the applicants is in the top seven to eight percent of their high school class, with the average Scholastic Aptitude Test score at 1,250, almost the same as last year. Minorities make up almost 26 percent of the applicant pool, totaling 422 students. Latino students had the largest increase in numbers -- at 38 applicants, 11 more than last year. About 56 black, 314 Asian-American, and 12 Mexican-American students applied to the University. Stetson said he estimated that 40 percent of early applicants will be accepted to the University. Decisions will be mailed in mid-December. "We're still at the bottom of the population curve," he said. "But we hope to be surpass 14,000 applications by the end of the admissions season in January. If crowds are any indication of number of applicants, 14,000 is an easy grasp." Rescorla was also optimistic about the applicant numbers. "Usually, early decision means you're the school of choice," he said. "I guess this means that Penn is increasingly becoming the school of choice." The early decision program is binding, and all those admitted must attend the University, barring financial aid difficulties.