Applications are pouring in and acceptance letters are flying out in record numbers as Tufts admissions officers begin selecting the class of 2006. In concurrence with a nationwide trend, the University's early decision applications for round one - and the percentage of applicants filing online - reached all-time highs this year.
Early decision applications are up 11 percent from last year, and 202 percent since 1995. A record-breaking 768 students applied for round one admission, compared to 254 in 1995. Bendetson expects to receive an unprecedented number of regular applications as well.
This also marks the first year that over half of early decision applicants applied online. Electronic applications are processed more rapidly, and therefore allow officials to schedule alumni interviews more quickly.
The admissions process has become increasingly electronic as more students take advantage of faster, easier online applications. Tufts, Harvard, Dartmouth, and Yale all sent out electronic letters announcing admissions decisions to applicants along with letters sent via US mail. Previously, the University restricted electronic acceptance notices to international students and students on the West Coast.
Saying the electronic notifications came as a surprise, some applicants, particularly those denied admission, responded negatively to last year's e-mails. This year, Tufts gave students the option of waiting for a letter to arrive in the mail or checking online. About 96 percent of applying students have e-mail addresses.
"Students are used to operating electronically," Dean of Admissions David Cuttino said. "It avoids the problem of wondering if something has gone awry. Everyone can hear the same time about their decision."
The University, which offers two rounds of early decision in addition to regular decision, sent out the first volley of admissions decisions on Dec. 15. Though there is no official difference between round one and round two, Cuttino said that round one students typically find out their admissions decision before deadlines arise for other applications.
"When you've done your homework and you feel that you know where you want to go, to have that answer takes pressure off of the student," he said.
Last year Tufts admitted nearly 40 percent of the incoming class through early decision, the largest percentage ever. Though the admissions office expects another record year, officials said yesterday that it might be unwise to raise the percentage any further.
"We'd hate to see that grow too much larger," Cuttino said. "We want to make sure we have the ability to review all the students at regular decision."
"The focus is how to make the best class and get a variety of students with different perspectives, talents and experiences, whether we find them at early decision or regular decision," he added.
The admissions office is currently in the process of reviewing round two early decision applications and preparing for the regular decision applications that continue to arrive at the office in large numbers.
More than 64 percent of the students admitted were from public high schools, with 28 percent from private schools and four percent from religious schools. Reflecting the University's emphasis on diversity, early decision applicants hailed from 43 states and 27 countries. About 18 percent of applying students were interested in the school of engineering, and most accepted students were in the top 8 or 9 percent of their classes.
