UConn admissions applications soar to record high

The University of Connecticut has another record to add to the list, and it’s not another national title.

More than 56,700 high school students from around the country applied to enter UConn for the fall semester, according to UConn Today. The major boost in undergraduate applications represents the first time that UConn has passed 50,000 applications. The tally also surpasses last year’s approximately 48,000 applicants.

The increased interest comes after the school’s men’s basketball team took home the national title last April. The university also continues to rank high among national colleges and universities. UConn placed in the top 10 among the nation’s public colleges and universities, according to the Wall Street Journal. U.S. News & World Report also recognizes the university among the top producers of Fulbright scholars.

The major boost in applications also bucks a national trend, as many institutions have struggled with declines in applications, school officials said.

“When I speak with other university presidents, many say that these trends have made it more difficult for their institutions to attract large applicant pools,” UConn President Radenka Maric said. “We are proud that UConn’s reputation for academic excellence continues to draw so many talented students each year.”

UConn said the university is on track to have almost 24,500 undergraduates across all of its campuses this fall — including about 19,600 at Storrs — of which about 70% are Connecticut natives, according to an article in UConn Today.

“Demand for UConn’s programs and opportunities continues to be strong as represented by the growth in applications each year, and especially by the impressive numbers in the current cycle,” UConn’s director of undergraduate admissions Vern Granger said.

“We’ve seen positive momentum generated by last year’s men’s basketball championship and our top 10 ranking by the Wall Street Journal, both of which have built on UConn’s longstanding academic reputation and attractiveness to potential students.”

Officials said admission offers have already started to go out to Storrs campus applicants.