Applications climb higher once again

The number of students applying to Penn has reached a record high once again, as the University received 19,086 applications for the Class of 2005. This represents a 1.5 percent increase over last year's record of 18,823, but Penn is looking to create a class the same size as last year -- meaning tougher odds for hopeful high school seniors. Penn is looking to admit enough students for a class of 2,375, Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson said. Stetson attributes the rising interest in Penn to students who are already here encouraging others to apply. "We've been hearing and seeing in our surveys that students are very pleased with the Penn environment and they are sending word home," he said. Admissions Officer Martin Bonilla also thinks Penn students are making the greatest difference in new student recruitment. "I wish that we could take credit for it. I think we all sell the story real well but we're doing the same thing," he said. "The difference, seeing double or triple the number of students at information sessions, has everything to do with the kids at Penn right now." Bonilla said that because Penn admits the best of an already talented applicant pool, students who had a presence at their high schools and speak at about their Penn experiences generate a strong interest in the University. Stetson said that Penn also offers a mix of strong academics and a fun atmosphere to perspective students. "I think that the quality of teaching at Penn and its balance with extracurricular activities is an excellent combination and attractive to students and parents," he said. Interest seems to have grown most in the Wharton School, as applications rose almost 7 percent to 3,510 from last year's 3,286. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also saw a rising number of applicants, receiving 3,449 applications compared to 3,325 the year before. The numbers for the College dropped slightly to 11,947, 50 fewer than last year. And the Nursing School also saw a fall in applicants from 215 to 180. Applications to the Management and Technology and Huntsman joint degree programs also fell about one hundred each to 714 and 563, respectively. Forty-seven percent of this year's applicant pool is female, 5 percent are alumni legacies, and 44 percent are minorities. Thirty-one percent of the applicants are Asian, 5 percent are Hispanic and 6 percent are black and African American. Applications were received from students in all 50 states. Twenty states had a record number of applications coming in, the biggest increase being in those from Florida. Penn's popularity is also growing overseas, with an increase in international applications, from 2,429 to 2,591. "Our visibility continues to rise," Stetson said. On average, applicants for the class of 2005 also scored better on standardized tests than in previous years. The average SAT score jumped four points from last year to 1359, with the average SAT II score at 683. "It's a strong pool. "It's going to be a tough admissions process," Stetson said. Approximately 44 percent -- 1,033 students -- of the incoming class have already been admitted through early decision. The decisions on the regular applications will be sent out by April 4.