Public colleges in Georgia's university system have seen a record number of freshmen applicants for the 2009-2010 school year. Georgia State has the highest increase in the state this year, with the number of applications jumping up an extremely impressive 25%. In 2008 GSU had about 8,400 freshmen apply; this year, they had 10,500 by the school's March 1 deadline. President Mark Becker feels it has to do with Georgia State's growing reputation, but experts in other Georgia schools that have seen similar increases say in-state public universities are starting to look more appealing thanks to the uncertainty of today's finances.
Universities with heavier price tags are seeing changes, too. Private schools across the state are seeing both increases and decreases in no apparent pattern, but some are still feeling the effects of a financially unstable economy.
Emory is one of them - their number of undergraduate applications dropped just over 10% this year. Accommodating these students may be a problem, though, says Board of Regents chancellor Erroll B. Davis, who introduced the possibility of an enrollment cap earlier this year. The system's budget is already overstretched after implementing a 6% cut in funds earlier this school year.
"A continuing trend of increasing enrollment and decreasing resources is not a formula for success over the long run," Davis said.
"In fact, some of our presidents have already indicated that their institutions are at or near a tipping point."
Be the first to comment on this article!