UCI sets a record for freshman admissions

UC Irvine set a campus record for freshman admissions this week, with

20,844 first-year students accepted for the fall.

The entire UC system set new highs for freshman applications and

acceptances in 2005, with 50,017 total admissions across the state.

The record totals came one year after budget difficulties caused the

UC system to redirect some of its freshman applicants to community

colleges. This year, the university admitted all qualified applicants

to its campuses.

Of the total incoming UCI freshmen, 19,798 were from California.

UCI spokeswoman Christine Byrd said the largest group of applicants

-- 21.8% -- were undeclared majors, with 17.8% pursuing biological

sciences and 16% social sciences.

“It’s a very good feeling, especially when it’s a qualified pool

of applicants,” said UCI admissions director Marguerite

Bonous-Hammarth. “They’re very strong indicators of academic

potential for our campus. It’s always good to see students coming in

who are well-prepared and can make a contribution to the campus.”