Early Action Application Volume Hits Record High at Chicago

Wharton411
Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:23:43 +0000

The University of Chicago received over 3,000 Early Action applications this fall, making this year’s EA pool the largest in the school’s history.

3,041 people applied for seats in the Class of 2011 under the EA deadline. That number marks a 9.3 per cent increase over last year’s EA pool of 2,781.

Vice President and UC College Dean of Enrollment Michael Behnke told the Chicago Maroon that the College’s outreach efforts deserve much of the credit for the increase in applications. He also thinks the continuing popularity of early action and early decision programs played a role. According to Behnke, over 90 per cent of seniors at certain East Coast private schools are submitting an early application somewhere.

Admissions Consultant Nadine Warner, who previously served as Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago, says that the non-binding nature of Chicago’s EA program helps explain its growing applicant pool.

“It’s not a surprise that a school like U Chicago saw such a large jump in the number of early applications,” she says. “A non-binding program like Chicago’s is very attractive to students because it helps relieve some of the pressure inherent in the college application process. Moreover, it gives students more admissions options. After all, that’s what college is about – exploring possibilities, not limiting them.”

Last year, Chicago admitted approximately 41 per cent of its EA applicants. Its overall acceptance rate for applicants to the Class of 2010 was around 38.5 per cent. Chicago’s Early Action admissions option is both non-binding and non-exclusive (meaning applicants are free to apply early to other schools that allow multiple early applications).