Despite a national surge in college enrollment over the past decade, applications to Northwestern dropped more than 5 percent this year and are down more than 16 percent from their 1997 high.

About 13,900 high school seniors applied for admission in 2001, more than 700 fewer applications than last year, said Rebecca Dixon, associate provost for university enrollment. In 1997 the university received a record 16,634 applications.

But Dixon said NU will have no trouble filling its class of 2005. The university offers admission to about 5,000 applicants each year, and about 1,900 choose to enroll, she said.

“We shouldn’t be worried,” Dixon said. “It’s an ample number from which to select a class of 1,900 freshmen. If (applications) dropped to 5,000, we’d be in trouble.”

But applications to colleges nationwide – especially private schools – have increased over the past 10 years and show no signs of slowing, said Jeffrey Penn, a spokesman for the College Board.

From 1987 to 1998, private schools saw a 25 percent boost in applications, while applications to public colleges increased 13 percent, he said.

“Over the course of the decade, it’s the private colleges that had the biggest increase,” Penn said. “At some of the really selective institutions, they’re just receiving more and and more applications.”

At NU that pattern has been more erratic, rising from 12,921 applications in 1995 to its peak in 1997. Applications dropped to 15,259 in 1998, increased to 15,406 in 1999 and fell again this year.

“I don’t really understand Northwestern’s situation,” Penn said. “It’s a selective and prestigious institution in Illinois, but it doesn’t sound like they’re getting the numbers.”

Penn said that as colleges become increasingly competitive, many students hedge their bets by applying to more schools – not fewer. He said students also apply to many schools to find the best possible financial aid award.

Dixon declined to speculate on the cause of the reduced application numbers.

Penn said schools’ outreach efforts, visits to high schools and funding for their admissions offices all can make a difference in the number of applicants they receive.

The availability of application materials on the Internet also could affect the number of applicants, Penn said. At NU this year, 16 percent of students submitted their applications online, and about 8 percent printed out the online application and mailed it, Dixon said.

“In this decade, we’ve seen a real rise in accessibility as students apply over the Web,” Penn said. “With the click of a mouse, you’ve applied.”

Although NU might not have boosted its application numbers, this year’s applicants have slightly higher scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test, Dixon said.

“The pool from which to draw looks a little better,” she said. “Of course, we don’t slavishly admit on the basis of SAT scores alone, but if your pool inches up a couple points, it’s a sign that they’re slightly better applicants.”

A breakdown of minority applicants was not available.

The application deadline was Jan. 1, but athletes may still apply. Decisions will be mailed April 1.