Princeton University applications jump 17 percent

16,077 want to be in the Class of 2009.

By: David Campbell
   Princeton University has received 16,077 applications for admission to the Class of 2009, a record number for the university and a 17 percent increase from last year, the university said.
   Dean of Admission Janet Lavin Rapelye said the increase is the result of Princeton’s stepped-up recruitment efforts, and the introduction of new Web-based application forms.
   The results of those efforts far exceeded her expectations, she said.
   "Our goal has been to educate a wider range of prospective students about the wonderful academic opportunities available at Princeton and to increase the number of ways students can apply to the university," she said.
   "Our admission staff has made a major effort to expand the recruitment of prospective students through high school visits, on-campus admission information sessions and evening programs with students and their families in cities throughout the United States and around the world," Dean Rapelye continued.
   The Office of Admission offered prospective students for the Class of 2009 new options for applying to the university. They included online and paper versions of a standardized application form used by colleges and universities across the nation, and the online Princeton form.
   The total number of applications this year includes 2,039 applications for early decision. The university announced last month that 593 of those applicants have been offered early admission to what will become the Class of 2009.
   The early-decision candidates are expected to comprise 49 percent of the new class. This is about the same percent as the previous year.
   Notification letters were mailed to the high school seniors Dec. 10, the university said.
   The number of early applicants increased by 12 percent this year following the introduction of the new Web-based application forms. The aim of the additional application formats was to make applying easier and more accessible and "to widen the net" of potential applicants, according to a spokesman for the university.
   Regular-decision applicants had to apply by Jan. 2. They are expected to be notified of admission in early April. Candidates deferred during the early-admission process will be reconsidered with the regular-decision applicants.
   The total number of applications this year compares to 13,695 applications for the Class of 2008, the university said.