<p>Rlmmail - I actually don’t think that the drumming up of applications indicates much more than the strength of an admissions offices marketing efforts. So, put another way, the real differences between schools (Brown’s ivy league affiliation, Duke’s pleasant climate, etc.) doesn’t mean much in terms of comparing actual numbers of applications received.</p>
<p>As a case in point, last year, Wash U received ~29k applications - more apps than Yale or Princeton, although I don’t think Wash U has the same level of cache.</p>
<p>Similarly, last year, Wesleyan received 10k applications - about 30% more apps than Williams or Amherst - two schools that probably are seen as a bit more alluring. </p>
<p>Given that Chicago has decided to play the “big numbers” admissions game, I would expect the apps to increase quite rapidly - at a pace of ~20% a year, until the school has caught up to Duke, Brown, Wash U, etc.</p>