Freshman applications to attend MU next fall are up by about 17 percent over this time last year, according to information presented Friday to the UM System Board of Curators.
The number of freshman applications were 17,583, up from 15,060 at this time last year.
The number of transfer applicants were up by about 12 percent — up to 904 from 806 last year at this time.
Applications numbers are up across the University of Missouri System: about 35 percent at the University of Missouri-St. Louis; about 27 percent at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and about 13 percent at Missouri University of Science & Technology.
"These numbers demonstrate that Missourians and out-of-state students recognize that they can receive exceptional and affordable educations while becoming career-ready," UM System President Mun Choi said in a news release.
"Our strong applications come at a time when there are fewer high school graduates throughout most of the country and increased competition among higher education institutions," Choi said.
Transfer numbers are up at three of the four campuses, the largest at UMKC.
These announcements come a day after UM Chief Financial Officer Ryan Rapp announced that all of MU’s residence halls will be in use for fall 2018 with the exception of Responsibility Hall, which is leased by MU Health Care.
The Missourian will update this story as the curators continue meeting Friday.