The University's Office of Admissions is sorting through a record number of applications for the second consecutive year.
The University received a record 23,942 applications for the class of 2015 - a 6 percent increase from the 22,510 applications received for the class of 2014.
Many administrators point to the school's financial aid programs to explain this upward trend, despite the falling numbers of high-school graduates across the nation.
"In this economy, students and families are looking for quality education at a value," Dean of Admission Greg Roberts said. "Our relatively low-cost, especially when compared to our private peers, and our AccessUVA financial aid program make attending U.Va. affordable."
Student Financial Services Director Yvonne Hubbard said AccessUVA keeps gifted students from "self-selecting" out of the process because of a perceived inability to pay for their education at the University.
"AccessUVA provides funding from federal, state and institutional sources to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated need of our students," Hubbard said. She added that providing financial assistance is vital to ensuring diversity within the student body.
"We work to ensure that students who earn admissions can afford to be here and to experience the full range of what U.Va. has to offer," she said.
Roberts added that a number of selective schools have received more applications this year than in the past, which hints that many students are applying to more schools than they were a few years ago.
Harvard Director of Admissions Marlyn McGrath also credits outreach efforts and financial aid programs for their rise in applicants, which has risen by 50 percent since 2007.
"I think the reason why we and other colleges have seen increases is that we have all recruited very vigorously," McGrath said. "In addition, electronic application procedures have made it easier to apply. Many colleges, including us, have been able to offer extremely generous financial aid programs and have publicized them."
The Office of Admissions will look to increase enrollment by 120 students for the fall semester, bringing the total to about 3,360 students. This increase is unrelated to the increase in applicants, though, and instead stems from pressure to accept more qualified in-state students. Across the state, public schools are facing pressure from Gov. Bob McDonnell's office to raise enrollment in an effort to increase the number of degrees issued to state residents.
"We continue to choose from the best students in the world," Roberts said. "More applications means more great applicants to select from"
Read More
Class of 2024 celebrates graduation at final exercises
By Finn Trainer | 7 hours agoIn his opening remarks, University President Jim Ryan praised the graduating class for their resilience during challenging times.
U.Va. Alumni Association submits plans for new Alumni Hall building
By Caroline Hagood | 2 days agoWest said that despite the proposal moving through City Council’s review process, the project is still years away from becoming a reality.
Graduating student leaders reflect on how they impacted the University community
By Jackie Bond and Brandon Kile | 3 days agoAccording to Lilian Rojas, Board of Visitors student representative and fourth-year Batten student, the Class of 2024 is defined by its resilience.
