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William & Marys undergraduate admission applications for next falls entering class have surpassed 12,000 for the first time in the Colleges history.</p>
<p>The total also signifies a record year for the fourth year in row in terms of undergraduate admissions and is a more than 70 percent increase in applications over the past decade and 3.4 percent increase over last year.
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<p>William</a> & Mary - W&M tops 12,000 applications in record year</p>
<p>Oh wow. Are there more Seniors this year in general too?</p>
<p>great...and D2 is one of 12,000...not the best of odds.</p>
<p>Yep. Boomlet babies are going to college. There was an article in the paper two years ago that stated that the class of 2009 was the largest class ever applying to college. After this, the numbers should decline, although I doubt that will change the tense admissions climate much.</p>
<p>"and does eat oats"</p>
<p>And if all goes well, applications will continue to rise even as the population of seniors decreases.</p>
<p>great thats like what a 20-25% acceptance rate. chances are not lookin so hot right now.</p>
<p>that is great news.</p>
<p>There are at least two general trends at work:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A greater interest in public schools vs. privates, due to the economic climate. I'd expect people to be worried about the long-term financial commitment a 4-year college requires, and are probably looking to lower costs. So, applications to publics are up, while applications to many privates are down. UVA reports a record number as well; 21,511 apps for 3,170 spots. (Of course, those privates with enormous endowments and generous financial aid programs, like HYPS, would tend to buck this trend.) </p></li>
<li><p>The general trend of students applying to larger numbers of colleges overall.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A rising population in certain parts of the state would contribute, and certainly both UVA & W&M appearing at the top several of "Best Value" lists doesn't hurt. Virginia has wonderful state-supported colleges, certainly among the best in the country(sometimes I think despite the state, rather than because of it.) </p>
<p>Leads me to another thought - with the value of the endowment down, (and indeed, most investments), this is probably the perfect time for a fund-raising drive. I know, it seems like the absolute worst time - people and corporations are being particularly careful with the money these days. But with falling state contributions, the college could use the money, and most importantly, any new funds raised/invested now have a tremendous upside potential in the years ahead.</p>
<p>The last significantly public fundraising drive ended in... 2005 I think? Maybe 2006. Right now they are going through a significant planning phase for the short term future of W&M. More info can be found here: William</a> & Mary - Strategic Planning</p>
<p>I'm sure they are always fundraising, but I would expect an announcement about a new fundraising goal in a couple years, probably after they have a significant amount already promised / given from corporate donors (or big time individual donors).</p>
<p>I'd guess President Reveley would probably announce the fundraising goal in late 09 or 2010 (whenever the recession starts recovering - you don't want to be fundraising and have people see that your endowment FELL) and the strategic planning they are doing now would be part of it. I'd guess the goal would be 750m for the primary endowment? Maybe a billion if hes feeling up to it?</p>