Early Decision numbers increase by 22 applicants

The Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Admissions has begun reviewing the Early Decision applications submitted by prospective members of the Class of 2016. With 1,467 applications received, this year’s number of applications marks a slight increase over last year’s Early Decision pool of 1,445 aspirational students.

Director of Undergraduate Admissions Ellen Kim underscored the importance of student inquiry and dedication with regards to Early Decision applications.

“We emphasize that applying Early Decision to a school like Hopkins is about making a binding commitment to the university,” Kim wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “It’s a great option for students who have done their research and know that this is the top choice for them by the November deadline.”

As with many other top-tier universities, Hopkins has experienced an increased interest in the early application program in recent years. While the acceptance rate for the Class of 2016 hovered around 17 percent, this upward trend in early applications — the consistency between this year and last year notwithstanding — is expected to cause a subsequent decrease in the number of accepted students.

It is possible that the devastation and inconveniences caused by Hurricane Sandy might have produced a smaller-than-anticipated jump in applicants.

“We know that many families were affected by the storm and some are still without full utilities,” Kim wrote. “It was certainly an unexpected obstacle for many students, so it’s difficult to say how many may have wanted to apply Early Decision but may have decided to push their application to Regular Decision given the circumstances.”

To compensate for families lacking the means to submit their application on time, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions extended the application deadline from Nov. 1 to Nov. 6.

As high school students wait eagerly for decisions posted on Dec. 15, current students reflect upon their success in the early decision process.

“I applied early because I knew I wouldn’t find a better fit in terms of what I was looking for academically and socially,” freshman Becky Weinberg said. “I definitely think I made the right choice.”