A record high of 79,930 prospective students have applied to study at the University of California, Davis, for fall 2015.

For freshman admission, applications grew by 6.8 percent to 64,582; transfer applications are up 6.5 percent to 15,348.

Since 2000, UC Davis has experienced a 157 percent increase in new undergraduate applications.

"Prospective students and their families throughout California, the nation and the world understand the unique opportunities available at UC Davis,” said Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. "Our record number of applications is testament to the world-class education they know awaits them here."

UC Davis, ranked ninth overall among all U.S. public research universities by U.S. News & World Report, is pursuing a bold, long-range plan to add 5,000 new undergraduates by 2020 compared with 2011. The 2020 Initiative calls for substantial increases in national and international students and gains in the number of California residents.

For enrollment next fall, the number of applications grew by 3.3 percent among California residents, 16.3 percent among out-of-state students and 19.5 percent among international students.

California residents

Three of every four freshman applicants are California residents, and about 88 percent of transfer applicants are from California community colleges.

"Our strategic recruitment efforts, especially in California, have contributed to a wonderful pool of applicants," said Walter Robinson, associate vice chancellor of Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Planning.

About 18 months ago, UC Davis hired a rural recruiter, and last fall the campus added an urban recruiter as well as a second Central Valley recruiter.

Historically underserved groups

The numbers of applicants from historically underserved groups — African American, American Indian and Chicano/Latino — increased, and they now represent 32.8 percent of California freshman applicants and 29.5 percent of domestic transfer applicants.

Income, first-generation graduates

Also among California freshman applicants:

• more than four in 10 would be in the first generation of their family to earn a four-year college degree;
• more than three in 10 are from families with low incomes; and
• 17.3 percent are from low-resource high schools, where UC Davis continues to build a college-going culture. 

Offers made in March, April

Admission notifications will be released for all freshman applicants on March 13 and for transfer applicants on April 17.

In fall 2014, UC Davis enrolled 5,377 new freshmen and 3,138 new transfer students. Total enrollment was 35,415.

Statistics for Davis and the UC system are available online.