<p>Based on the numbers below it looks like Princeton will hold on to its selectivity ranking (#1) next year. Positions open at Princeton represent 3.9% of the remaining applicant pool.</p>
<p>Princeton receives record number of applications for class of 2009 </p>
<p>PRINCETON, N.J. -- Princeton University has received 16,077 applications for admission to the class of 2009, a record number for the University and a 17 percent increase from the previous year.</p>
<p>The increase reflects Princeton's enhanced recruitment efforts across the country and internationally, as well as the introduction of new Web-based application forms this year, said Dean of Admission Janet Lavin Rapelye.</p>
<p>"Our goal has been to educate a wider range of prospective students about the wonderful academic opportunities available at Princeton and to increase the number of ways students can apply to the University. The results have far exceeded my expectations," Rapelye said.</p>
<p>"Our admission staff has made a major effort to expand the recruitment of prospective students through high school visits, on-campus admission information sessions and evening programs with students and their families in cities throughout the United States and around the world," she said. </p>
<p>In addition to the paper version of the Princeton application, the Office of Admission this year offered three new options for applying to the University: both online and paper versions of the Common Application, a standardized form used by colleges and universities; and the online Princeton form.</p>
<p>The total number of applications this year includes 2,039 applications for early decision. The University announced earlier this month that 593 students have been offered early admission to the class of 2009. The early decision candidates are expected to comprise 49 percent of the next freshman class.</p>
<p>Regular decision applicants, who had to apply by Jan. 2, will be notified of admission in early April. Candidates deferred during the early admission process will be reconsidered with the regular decision applicants.</p>
<p>The total number of applications this year compares to 13,695 applications for the class of 2008.</p>