On the Quads

Admissions stats
The Office of College Admissions saw a 36 percent increase in early applicants this fall with 1,648 applications, up from 1,215 last year and 862 in 1997. Michael Behnke, vice president and associate dean for enrollment, says this 91 percent increase in two years can be attributed to the success of a new outreach program to high-school sophomores. Early applicants scoring in the top tier of the SAT (1,500 to 1,600) doubled this year, increasing 158 percent over the past two years. Regional interest from the western United States increased by 61 percent from last year, while early applications from New England rose by 38 percent.

Smarts in the city
The U of C College Bowl team emerged victorious from competition against rival Northwestern in a tournament dubbed “Smartest in the City.” The defending national champions, the U of C College Bowlers are on a winning streak, claiming victory in 12 of the last 13 regional matches. College Bowl tournament questions range from science and history to pop culture and sports.

Student Activities Fair
Nearly 500 students attended the January 16 Student Activities Fair, where 125 student and University organizations, geared to cultural, preprofessional, sports, or other interests, were represented. The second such fair held this year for College students, it allowed groups to “put the word out and let students know what they’re doing,” says student organization coordinator Jennifer Parry Bird, AB’97. “It was also a chance to rekindle interest now that students are in winter quarter and a little less swamped.”