Record number of applications to College of Charleston

College of Charleston said Thursday that its applications for admission for the fall of 2009 set an all-time record for both graduate and undergraduate admissions, and school officials believe it’s an effect of the bad economy.

The college has received 12,500 undergraduate applications. 

That’s about a thousand more than its previous high, which was last year.

Freshman applications rose 17 percent for in-state students and eight percent for out of state students.

“The economy certainly has an affect on applications and shows the College of Charleston is a good deal for the quality of education for both in and out of state students,” said Don Burkard, associate vice president for enrollment planning. “Students are drawn to the College because our graduates get good jobs and/or high placement into graduate and professional schools.“

Despite the increased number of applications, the number of first-time entering students remains at 2,800 to keep a total student population around 10,000.