The University of Chicago has received 42 percent more undergraduate applications for its 2010 fall freshman class than it did last year, according to the school.
Of the 19,306 applications, the university will accept just 3,700 students -- the same number as last year. That means 19 percent of applicants will be accepted.
Last year 13,564 students applied to the school and 27 percent were accepted.
University officials say they think there are a number of reasons for the increase, including outreach and having President Barack Obama as a former faculty member.
Admissions dean James Nondorf said the school saw increased applications from African-American, Latino and international students. Nondorf also says there were increases in all income levels and across the country regionally.
The U of C isn't alone in seeing an increase in applicants. Applications are up at least 7 percent at Northwestern, 10.5 percent at Duke and nearly 3 percent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Chicago Tribune reported.
