New applications to the University of Arizona are surging, already 20 percent more than all of last year with four months remaining until the start of fall classes.
And the trends point to the next academic year as a record one for the UA: the largest and most diverse student body and the largest, most diverse and most academically accomplished freshman class, said Patti Ota, vice president of enrollment management.
At the start of this week, the UA had received 19,896 new applications for next fall, well above the 16,609 that were received by the start of classes last year, Ota said. Officials expect between 1,500 and 2,000 more by the start of the fall semester.
The in-state applicants who are accepted will become the first new students required to show proof that they have legal status in the United States to receive resident tuition rates, a requirement of Proposition 300. All students seeking in-state tuition must be verified, which is typically accomplished by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
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About 8,200 continuing students don't have a FAFSA on file and have been notified they must submit another form of acceptable identification, said UA spokesman Johnny Cruz.
"We think it's going to be a very diverse class and we're pleased so far with the academic preparation of the students," Ota said.
The increase in applicants reflects both the growing number of high school graduates in Arizona and increased recruitment efforts elsewhere, particularly in California and along the East Coast.
"Over the past few years, we're making a conscientious effort to increase the number of applications. We do that within Arizona and we're also making an effort nationwide," Ota said.
A year ago the UA hired a full-time recruiter to cover New England south to Virginia and added a third California recruiter in the fall. While a part-time recruiter in the Midwest left, recruiters overall are attending more college fairs throughout the country
"We have a good story to tell and if we actually get out there and tell it, we should have a significant increase in our applications," Ota said.
Last fall's applications saw a slight dip because the UA for the first time required potential students to answer essay questions, part of a revamped admissions process that came in conjunction with tougher automatic admission standards. Previously, in-state students who met core requirements and graduated in the top half of their high school class were guaranteed admission, while just the top quarter are assured admission now.
The fall 2007 application requires a personal essay on the topic of the students' choosing.
The UA's goal is to increase the number of new students by 400 in the fall. Last year's record freshman class was 6,009 students, while the student body was 36,805, down from a record 37,083 in 2003.
With Ota's projections, the UA will easily meet the 400 goal and surpass the record for most students enrolled in an academic term.
