Applications Surge 26 Percent at Polytechnic Institute of New York University

NEW YORK, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Undergraduate applications to Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) surged 26 percent for fall 2011, as the nation's second oldest private engineering school also increased applications from women, international students and states outside its region.

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"This is the most qualified class we have ever had, and financial aid information tells us that we will continue our exceptional record of providing access to students from low-income families," said Barbara Hall, associate provost for enrollment services. The most recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report show 42 percent of NYU-Poly students receive federal Pell Grants, typically awarded if family income is below $30,000 per year.  Forbes recently ranked NYU-Poly among the top 10 "Colleges That Will Make You Rich" by virtue of its high Pell Grant ranking and the high salaries of its graduates. Maintaining its commitment to New York's immigrant neighbors – often graduating the first in a family to attend college – is core to NYU-Poly, Hall explained.

Deposits were also running 44 percent ahead of last year as of May 1, and Hall said that she anticipates no surprises in "summer melt" – students who forfeit their deposits. "We have a strong historical knowledge of how our student enrollments behave," she said. Class size will rise slightly this year, from 530 to 560.

As one indication of the academic strength of this year's applicants, the number of first-year students accepted into the Honors Program rose 53 percent, to 46. To qualify, candidates must exhibit high test scores and grades and demonstrate meaningful research or success in national competitions involving STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

NYU-Poly, already recognized by Forbes as one of the "Best Colleges for Women in STEM," will increase its share of women in the incoming freshman class to 27 percent from 23 percent. Next year's freshman class also will include 67 international students from 19 countries, compared to 32 students from 10 countries this year. NYU-Poly's national footprint will also increase: first-year students will come from 31 different states versus 14.

Hall attributed most of the increases to expanded travel for recruitment by seasoned admissions professionals. While the NYU name attracts applicants, she said, it has been more than two years since Polytechnic University affiliated with NYU and was renamed Polytechnic Institute of New York University. Although NYU-Poly provides generous financial aid, anecdotal information from the admissions staff indicated that the economy did not materially contribute to the application surge this year, she said.

About Polytechnic Institute of New York University

Polytechnic Institute of New York University (formerly Polytechnic University), an affiliate of New York University, is a comprehensive school of engineering, applied sciences, technology and research, and is rooted in a 157-year tradition of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship: i-squared-e. The institution, founded in 1854, is the nation's second-oldest private engineering school. In addition to its main campus in New York City at MetroTech Center in downtown Brooklyn, it also offers programs at sites throughout the region and around the globe. Globally, NYU-Poly has programs in Israel, China and is an integral part of NYU's campus in Abu Dhabi. For more information, visit www.poly.edu.

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SOURCE Polytechnic Institute of New York University