Applications to the U. of C. way up

Applications to the University of Chicago are up 45 percent this fall.

It has received nearly 4,500 applications for its non-binding early action program. Regular applications will be accepted until early January, but the school is already approaching the total number of applications it received a decade ago.

Around 1,250 freshmen are expected to matriculate next fall.

Other top schools are also seeing increases.

Early applications to Northwestern are up nearly 17 percent. At Notre Dame, they're up 18 percent.

Part of the explanation is that Harvard, Princeton and Virginia have dropped early admission. With fewer places accepting early enrollment, schools that still do are drawing more applicants.