The University of Vermont has received a record number of applications for the fall of 2014 -- 23,936 -- up nine percent over last year.  

Vermont applications rose three percent, despite a steep ongoing decline in the number of high school graduates in the state, driven by demographic trends. Applications rose 4.6 percent from students in New England, which is also in the midst of a decline in high school graduates.

Applications were up significantly in a number of emerging markets for UVM, said Chris Lucier, UVM’s vice president for enrollment management, an important and positive development for the university in light of the shrinking market closer to home.

“UVM has always had a national reputation as a Public Ivy, a top small research university that puts strong emphasis on undergraduate education,” he said. “In recent years, and especially this year, that reputation has begun translating to increased applications from parts of the country we haven’t traditionally drawn from.”

States that saw large application increases include California (up 19 percent), Washington state (31 percent), Texas (47 percent), Florida (19 percent), North Carolina (141 percent) and Pennsylvania (28 percent). UVM received applications from all 50 states.        

Applications from first-year international students were also up sharply, from 386 to 602, a 56 percent increase. UVM also continues to see increasing interest from students in its international pathway programs.

“That’s also a very positive indicator of UVM’s appeal in a market of critical importance to the university,” Lucier said.

Restrained tuition growth and expanded outreach to students by the admissions staff and alumni contributed to the application increase, said Beth Wiser, UVM’s director of admissions, but the major factor was likely good word of mouth in the high schools UVM draws students from.

“There is a buzz about UVM in the high schools we visit,” she said. “UVM offers a first-rate academic experience in a highly desirable location, and students are active and engaged, which leads to their success after graduation. Spreading this story is translating into more applicants,” she said.           

Although the application deadline of Jan. 15 has passed, the university will continue to accept applications when interested students inquire over the next few weeks.