We're excited that we're up so far this year. I think this year will be comparable to some of our best years even though it's still too early to say. LSA Dean Edie Goldenberg said she is pleased with the increase in applications, which will help make next fall's entering class even more competitive. Our students come from all over the world. They are an amazingly talented group of young people who have engaged in a wide variety of curricular studies and extracurricular activities.
Opinions vary on what is causing the jump in applications.
The Wolverines' Rose Bowl victory and share of the National Championship title are probably one factor, Spencer said. Any time you can have your name in front of the public in a positive light, it's going to generate interest. Danielle Wroblewski, a senior at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, said that she thinks the publicity from the perfect Michigan football season helped the University distinguish itself from other institutions. If you were to spend all of your time reading the letters you got from colleges, that would be your life. Regardless of the University's athletic triumphs, Spencer and Goldenberg contend that the University's growing academic reputation has propelled Ann Arbor to the top of the lists of competitive college-bound students.