The University of California is reporting the biggest pool of applicants seeking undergraduate admission in the history of the state's prestigious 10-campus system.
A record-high 160,939 students applied for fall 2012, according to university officials. That's 13.2 percent more than 2011, and the eighth consecutive year of increase.
UCLA is the most popular of all the schools, receiving 91,512 applications.
"This data shows that students and families highly value the outstanding education UCLA offers," UCLA’s Vice Chancellor Janina Montero said in a press release.
"We also are pleased that despite severe state funding cuts and higher tuition, this is our most diverse applicant pool to date," said Montero.
Chicano/Latino applicants grew by 15.6 percent over last year, African American applicants grew by 13.7 percent and American Indian applications increased by 12.9 percent at UCLA.
UC Berkeley had the second highest number of applications in the system, followed by UCSD.
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UC attributes the increase in part to a new admissions policy that's intended to broaden the range of applicants. One big change is that applicants are no longer required to take SAT subject exams.
“This is a good news/bad news story,” said Dianne Klein, a UC spokeswoman.
While there’s tremendous interest in attending a UC school, the system can’t accommodate everyone who needs an education, Klein said. Because of state budget cutbacks, it’s unlikely UC schools will be able to increase their enrollment, she said.
That means more students will be getting the dreaded rejection letter.
Applicants will have to hold their breath until March. That’s when UC schools will start mailing acceptance letters.
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