Photo by: Laura Hathaway
This year the University of Denver has the largest number of high school applicants in history, with a record 8,200 student applications.
The number of applicants increased 33 percent this year from last, which totaled approximately 6,200.
The increase of applicants is a result of many internal and external factors, according to the University of Denver Admissions Office, including a record number of high school seniors that will be graduating in 2008.
Students in this large demographic are seeking out the university due to its growth in status and the grassroots efforts of students sharing their experience to potential applicants, according to university officials.
“DU just continues to elevate its reputation, and a lot of families tell us they want to know more,” said Tom Willoughby, vice chancellor of enrollment.
Sean O’Hollaren, a high school senior who will be a freshman this fall at DU, said the feedback he received from current university students was critical to his decision to enroll here.
“I found out about the school from a friend who goes to DU,” said O’Hollaren. “After I began looking into the school, I continued to hear nothing but positive responses from other students, and it really seemed like everyone loved it there.”
The setting of the university and unique opportunities it offers is another advantage the admissions office credits to DU’s student appeal.
“Our location, which is so close to the mountains as well as downtown, attracts a lot of students that both want to get away from home or stay in Denver,” said Wahhab Abdul, assistant director of admissions. “The ratio of students to teachers and our abroad programs also really have a lot to do with student interest.”
The application process itself has also become easier and more accessible with the availability of the common application, which allows students to submit one application to a variety of schools. By accepting the common application, DU is following the trend of prospective students applying to many universities, said Carter.
While it may be easier for students to apply, the competition among applicants is also increasing. The academic profile of this year’s applicant has a higher G.P.A and test scores compared to last year. The G.P.A. has risen from 3.63 to 3.7 while ACT scores increased from 26.6 to 27.3.
Furthering competition, despite the high number of applicants, DU will not be accepting a greater number of students than last year. Enrollment has been capped at approximately 1,100 to 1150 students in order to maintain DU’s low student-faculty ratio.
“It is likely less than half the applicants will be admitted this year,” said Willoughby.
