About 1,100 high school seniors applied early decision to the College this year for a place in the Class of 2004 -- a number comparable to that of last year, according to Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Karl Furstenberg.
Noting that the interest in Dartmouth has been steady, Furstenberg said the College is expected to admit about 30 to 35 percent of the early decision applicant pool for the Class of 2004.
The SAT ranges for this year's early applicant pool were similar to last year's pool, according to Furstenberg, but the complete demographic distribution is still in the process of being determined.
An early decision application signifies that the school is the applicant's first choice, and applying through the program implies a commitment to matriculate at the school. Candidates who are admitted under the early decision program must withdraw their applications to other schools.
As of this point, the number of applications for regular admissions are higher than last year's, and Furstenberg noted that this could signal a record number of total applications received.
Furstenberg also said some prospective students have been considering Dartmouth in light of the Trustee Initiative on Social and Residential Life.
"There has been a lot of awareness of the Initiative amongst prospective students. A lot of people have been taking a 'wait and see' attitude," Furstenberg said.
The College should have a better idea of the number of applicants as the regular admissions deadline nears, he said.
Dartmouth received 1,208 Early Decision applications last year, with the total number of applicants being more than 10,100.
Thirty-five percent of early decision applicants were accepted, compared to 21 percent of the regular decision applicants.
The average verbal SAT for the Class of 2003 was 708, and the average math score was 713.
Several other Ivy League schools also saw an increase in their Early Decision applicant pool.
According to Columbia University's undergraduate admissions office, the university received 1,200 early decision applications this year -- an increase from last year's 1,095 applications.
The University of Pennsylvania received 2,550 early decision applications this year -- a 17 percent increase from last year, according to Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson.
