Record number apply to UCI

UC Irvine received a record-breaking number of applications from freshman hoping to attend the school this fall, according to a news release from the college.

Exactly 60,619 freshman plus about 15,000 transfer students brought the total amount of UCI hopefuls to 76,235 — a 9% increase over last year. The record-breaking number of freshman applications increased 11.3% from 54,465.

“The numbers demonstrate once again the high demand for a UC Irvine education,” Brent Yunek, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment services, said in a prepared statement.

The biggest increase in freshman hopeful came from out-of-state applications.

Exactly 10,486 of them applied from outside California. That’s a 50% increase compared to last year’s 6,974.

In-state freshman applications increased 5.6% with 50,133 this year compared to 47,491 previously.

There was also a 21% increase in minority applicants among California freshman hoping to become Anteaters, and more than 52% of the transfer applicants were first-generation students.

“It’s exciting to see this level of enthusiasm from California residents, underrepresented minorities, and international and out-of state students,” Yunek said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck