Admissions applications to Virginia Tech are up 12 percent this year, allowing Virginia Tech admissions officials to be more selective than ever before.
Virginia Tech received about 18,400 applications this year - almost 2,000 more applicants than last year's 16,500. Out of those applicants, only 60 percent were offered admission to the in-state rival school, down from 74 percent the previous year.
The University of Virginia admitted 5,260 students this year, after receiving 14,298 applications for fall 2000 admission.
Virginia Tech officials cite positive press coverage in the technology area as the main reason for the dramatic increase, although they admit the success of last year's football team also may be a factor.
"We're not doing anything different we haven't done all along," said Karen Torgerson, Virginia Tech director of undergraduate admissions.
Now that applicant numbers have increased, however, admissions officials now are looking for higher caliber students. The Virginia Tech Office of Admissions now recommends that high school seniors have a solid B-plus GPA - in the past they have recommended only a B average. Additionally, students admitted to Virginia Tech's class of 2004 average a 3.65 GPA and 1212 on their SATs.
Students in the class of 2003 had an average GPA of 3.5 and 1194 average SAT score.
High school students across the state have been affected by these higher standards.
Michael Lewis, a senior at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, said he thought he would be accepted easily to Virginia Tech. Despite serving as senior class vice president and running for the track team, Lewis' 3.3 GPA and 1200 SAT score were not enough to gain admission when acceptance letters were mailed in early April.
"I was really shocked to get into JMU [James Madison University] and not Tech," Lewis said.
While Virginia Tech experienced a significant increase in applications, overall undergraduate applications to the University were down 16 percent from last year's high of 17,090.
University Dean of Admissions John A. Blackburn said he doubts Virginia Tech's popularity had an effect on the decrease in University applications.
Students who gain admission to multiple schools often choose Virginia Tech over other in-state public universities, Tech officials said, adding that they think this may be because Virginia Tech is the least expensive four-year college in the state.
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