Through the second week of January, the campus had received 9,489 applications from first-time freshmen. That far surpasses the 7,366 applications from this time last year. Overall, including transfer and graduate students, the campus had received 11,251 applications, up from 8,937 a year ago.
The number of applicants is so large, in fact, that HSU has stopped accepting freshmen applications for the fall – though applications are still being accepted from upper division transfer students.
“This level of interest is really a testament to the educational experience Humboldt State offers,” says Admissions Director Scott Hagg. “We’re growing, but you still get very personal attention here. Students are attracted to the opportunity to study with professors who know their name, and they appreciate the hands-on experience we provide.”
Hagg credits the campus community and alumni for their work on a multi-year effort to better tell the university’s story to prospective students. “More students are hearing about Humboldt State, and they like what they hear,” he says.
The large number of freshmen applications included strong gains in the number of Latino applicants, which grew from 1,989 to 2,656, and American Indian applicants, which grew from 109 to 130.
Locally, the number of freshmen applicants grew from 240 to 308. Gains were also seen in the number of applicants from all areas in California.
Based on the application surge, HSU officials are expecting a third straight year of record freshmen enrollment in the fall.
The growing number of applicants to HSU also makes it likely that prospective students will regularly face shorter application periods. Last year, HSU was able to continue accepting applications through early June. But just as at a few other CSU campuses where demand is high, Hagg says the application timeline at Humboldt State will likely tighten up.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at (707) 826-6270.