High school seniors and community college students have applied to UC Davis in record numbers, for an all-time high of 33,496 applications for admission in fall 2001. The figure represents a 10.7 percent increase over last year's applications and steady gains in applications from several ethnic groups.

A total of 27,500 high-school seniors applied to UC Davis, up 10.4 percent from 2000. Transfer student applications numbered 5,996 -- an increase of 12.3 percent. A total of 25,425 California freshmen applied, up 11.3 percent, while 4,602 state community college students applied, an increase of 10.5 percent.

Across the UC system, the number of unduplicated applications increased 7.1 percent; on average, students apply to 3.2 campuses. Applications from high-school seniors increased 7.3 percent and from transfer students, 6.5 percent. Those from California freshmen increased 2.5 percent. Applications from California students seeking to transfer from colleges and universities increased 6.4 percent, while those from state community college students increased by 5.5 percent.

UC Davis continued to have steady increases in percentage gains in applications from California high-school seniors in the African-American, Chicano, and Filipino-American ethnic groups, at 7.5 percent, 20.9 percent, and 18.7 percent, respectively.

The campus also had gains among California community college transfer students, with a 16.2 percent increase in African American transfer applicants and a 34.1 percent rise among Chicanos.

Increases higher than UC average

"The Davis increases are higher than the UC average gains and acknowledge the involvement of our faculty, staff and students in contributing to a comprehensive outreach and recruitment plan," said Gary Tudor, UC Davis director of admissions.

Applications increased in other ethnic groups at the freshman level by the following percentages: Asian American, 9.7; Latino, 21.6; American Indian 16.2 percent; and white, East Indian/Pakistani and other, 9.7.

The number of California high school seniors not identifying their ethnicity increased by 9.1 percent to 2,040.

"We have experienced significant interest from all ethnic groups and are particularly pleased with our personalized communication approaches that bring students and families here on a regular basis," said Tudor.

Community College application increases were attributed to expanding transfer admission agreements and the transfer opportunity programs throughout the state.

Expanding partnerships with area schools

With a long-term goal of increasing the number and diversity of students eligible for admission to the University of California, the Davis campus has recently expanded its formal partnerships with area schools and, in 1999, created the Office of School/University Partnerships.

Working with 23 schools in five districts, the office coordinates services ranging from tutoring for individual students to helping teachers develop curricula to meet state standards.

As well, the campus's Early Academic Outreach Program provides academic and family support services to about 6,000 students in 70 schools and 19 districts.

UC Davis will begin mailing acceptances to approximately 16,000 prospective freshmen and 4,200 transfer students on March 1.

In fall 2000, 26,094 students, including 20,273 undergraduates, enrolled at UC Davis.