Fairfield University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission received an unprecedented number of applications for admittance into the Class of 2026, breaking the University’s application pool record for the 12th consecutive year.

As of January 2022, the University reported 13,200 applications in total, an increase of 5.25 percent from the previous year.

In addition to being the largest on record, this year’s applicant pool is also more ethnically and geographically diverse than previous years with students representing 46 states, in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 78 different countries.

Early returns also indicate that the Class of 2026 appears to be the academically strongest on record with notable increases in GPA and SAT scores.

“The momentum we are experiencing is so positive, rewarding, and exciting,” said Corry Unis, vice president for enrollment management. “The entire enrollment team is enthused by another record year for application activity, and we look forward to reviewing, selecting, and admitting another amazing class of future Stags.”