Purdue in midst of surge in student applications

Purdue University officials say they're fielding a surge in applications from prospective first-year students.

The university reported Thursday that it's seen a 10-percent increase in first-year student applications compared with the same time last year.

School officials say applications rose across the board in all demographics and academic fields.

And they say many more applications have been started but not yet submitted through the nationwide Common Application process that Purdue adopted last year.

Dean of admissions Pam Horne said Purdue staff has processed and reviewed 19,000 applications to-date, compared to 15,000 at the same time last year.

She told the Journal & Courier that the numbers suggest the increase will continue throughout the application season.

The number of in-state applicants also increased because of more outreach to high school counselors, students and parents, Horne said.