Freshman applications for fall 2003 at the University of Colorado at Boulder will be closed Friday, Feb. 21, nearly six weeks earlier than last spring, after a record 20,780 applications was reached this week, according to Barb Schneider, executive director of enrollment management.Ìý
This year's high point follows three years of record increases in the number of new students seeking to enroll at CU-Boulder.
"We are delighted with the continuing high level of interest and confidence in the quality of education offered by CU-Boulder," Schneider said.
Schneider noted that the university works hard at reaching potential students with messages about academic excellence, undergraduate education and opportunities for student involvement in research activities. Schneider also attributed the large number of applicants to greater reliance on the Web, helping to speed processing.
Chancellor Richard L. Byyny said he is pleased with the high degree of interest in CU-Boulder, which may help the campus reach at least one of its Quality for Colorado goals even before the plan gains state approval. "Although Quality for Colorado tuition proposals have not been certified yet by the legislature, we hope to make headway on improved academic preparation among next fall's freshman class."
Byyny said the timing of legislative consideration of Quality for Colorado, expected by the end of May, will be too late to have much impact on enrollment planning for the fall 2003 freshman class. "Not knowing the outcome of CCHE consideration until just recently, we have followed a plan of acceptances this year at a rate similar to last year." The campus started taking applications last September for fall 2003.
Byyny noted that it is too early to predict the size of this fall's freshman class, since so many students apply to multiple colleges and enrollment deposits are not due until May 1.