The number of applicants for Washington University’s Fall 2011 entering class increased more than it has in the past decade this year, rising 15.57 percent. Like many colleges across the nation, Washington University has witnessed a steady increase in applications in recent years. However, this is the first year that the number of applicants increased by double-digits, an almost 100 percent increase from last year’s 7.94 percent rise.

For about 20 years, Washington University and other top-ranked U.S. universities have set aside money to provide travel grants for high school students who cannot afford a trip to visit the college.