Applications Increase at Boston-Area Schools, But Not Boston College

While most Boston-area colleges saw an increase in the number of applications this year, Boston College saw application numbers drop by 26 percent. 

The decrease in applications, Boston College officials say, is likely due to a new 400-word essay requirement in the application, according to a report in the Boston College Chronicle.

BC saw roughly 25,000 applications this year for 2,250 student spots, the report said. Last year, 34,051 potential students applied.

According to the Chronicle, officials implemented the essay requirement as a way to evaluate potential students and also decreases the size of the applicant pool. 

By comparison, the number of applications at Boston University rose by 20.7 percent, according to a report on Boston.com. Early applicants to Babson College rose by 18.45 percent and Harvard applications increased 14.7 percent. MIT also had a record number of applicants this year, Boston.com reported.

For more information, check out the full story in the BC Chronicle and Boston.com.