Fairfield University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission has received a record number of applications for admittance into the Class of 2024, marking the largest application pool to date in the University’s 78-year history. As of February 2020, the Office of Admission reported 12,551 total applications, an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous year.

The Class of 2024 applicant pool also appears to be the academically strongest on record with notable increases in average GPA and SAT scores. The top five most popular majors among the incoming class include nursing, biology, psychology, finance, and marketing.

In addition to being larger and academically stronger, this year’s applicant pool is also more ethnically and geographically diverse than previous years with students representing 42 states, in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 68 international countries.

“We are delighted by the size, academic quality, and geographic diversity of this year’s applicant pool,” said Corry Unis, vice president for enrollment management. “The strong growth in applications is a sign of the cumulative effect of all of the positive momentum on campus. The admission team is looking forward to shaping and selecting the next class of Stags.”

Before the University’s Fairfield in Focus admitted student visit days are held on April 5 and April 18, admitted applicants also have the option to attend a special Class of 2024 information session and campus tour held on Mondays and Fridays at 11:45 a.m., from February 21 through May 1, 2020. Admitted students also have the opportunity to participate in the University’s Shadow a Stag program, during which they will be paired with a current Fairfield student who will take them to class, introduce them to faculty, and answer their questions over lunch. Shadow a Stag opportunities begin Thursday, February 20, and run through Tuesday, April 28.