<p>Source: <a href="http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2005/11/18/news/13877.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2005/11/18/news/13877.shtml</a></p>
<p>"The number of applicants for the University's binding early decision program rose nine percent over the previous year's figure with the Class of 2010, amounting to the second-largest early decision applicant numbers since the Class of 2001, the Communications Office said today.</p>
<p>"The 2,230 applications received thus far by the Admission Office, however, fall short of rivals Harvard and Yale's figures and a recent Princeton high of 2,350 early decision applications for the Class of 2007.</p>
<p>"Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye did not return requests seeking comment.</p>
<p>"Yale saw a 3.4 percent increase in the number of applicants received to its non-binding early action program, rising to 4,065 from last year's 3,933, according to figures from Friday's Yale Daily News. Harvard's numbers for its non-binding program, however, slipped 5 percent to "nearly 4,000," The Harvard Crimson reported.</p>
<p>"The University of Pennsylvania's early action program received a "record" 4,148 applications, 21 percent more than last year, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian. The Columbia Spectator also reports a "new high" for Columbia College and School of Engineering with 119 more applicants than last year's 2,156 to their early decision program. Stanford saw an increase in their pool of early action candidates with "nearly 4,400" applications, The Stanford Daily reported.</p>
<p>"Following a sharp drop of 23 percent in early decision applicants to the University with the Class of 2008, numbers have been steadily climbing each year, with a 12 percent rise for the Class of 2009 and a nine percent increase this year for the Class of 2010.</p>
<p>"The Admission Office has been considering, but hasn't made a final decision on, switching to a non-binding early action program, Rapelye has said previously.</p>
<p>"A Washington, D.C.-based public relations firm, Widmeyer Communications, was hired last year to conduct research on prospective students' opinions regarding a switch to a non-binding early action plan.</p>
<p>"Rapelye has yet to make results of that study public."</p>