According to statistics from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the University currently has a 14.2 percent increase in applications from this time last year. As of Jan. 24, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received 9,370 applications for first-year fall 2013 admissions, compared to 8,203 applications last year.

In an interview with the Justice, Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel said that there was "no way to know for sure" why there has been an increase in applications. One idea he put forward is that since University President Frederick Lawrence's arrival at Brandeis and "efforts at engaging" current and prospective students have become more focused, the University has become more "successful in telling the Brandeis story" to potential applicants.

Out of those applicants, the number of Early Decision I applications rose 19 percent while Early Decision II applicants rose 47 percent.

"So not only do we have more applicants overall, but more students who are letting us know that Brandeis is the place they absolutely want to be," commented Flagel.

Flagel also said that the University is aiming to have a first-year class that is about the same size as last year's class.

This past fall, 821 students matriculated into the first-year class-not counting mid-year students and transfers-a drop from 858 students the previous year, according to statistics given by Flagel at an October 2012 faculty meeting.

The Classes of 2015 and 2016 also saw the largest first-year applicant pools in Brandeis history.

While this year's early decision application pool is larger so far, it is too early to tell how that will affect the admissions rate, according to Flagel in the interview.

However, Flagel said he expects these numbers to reflect a consistent trend for applicants in the next couple of years.
"This will likely be the most competitive year ever for getting into Brandeis," he said.

-Robyn Spector contributed reporting.