A record-high number of students applied to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana this year, and NIU can expect a high number of applicants next semester as well, said Robert Burk, director of admissions.

U of I receives on average 21,000 to 22,000 applications a year, said Stacey Kostell, director of undergraduate admissions at U of I.

“I think when students look at U of I, they also look at a lot of other schools, including NIU,” Kostell said.

NIU ranks second in Illinois state schools for applications received, Burk said.

“There are more high school seniors this year, and it’s a possibility they will turn to NIU,” he said.

The university’s goal is to admit 3,000 to 3,050 freshmen, Burk said. NIU admitted 3,165 freshmen for the 2005-06 school year.

Burk said he found the number was too high and decided it needed to be cut down to accommodate everyone.

Athletics influences the number of applicants applying to NIU as well, he said. After the football season two years ago, applications spiked 40 percent for the Fall 2004 semester.

If there is a high profile in athletics, it then creates an image. Along with an image comes more applications for enrollment. A good athletic team is like free publicity for the school, Burk said.

Some local students said they plan to attend NIU because of its proximity and think it is a no-fail choice.

“[NIU] is close and it seems like a good school,” said Megan Fry, an undecided major at Kishwaukee Community College.

Fry lives in DeKalb and figures NIU would be a logical choice but has other concerns on her mind.

“I am more worried about paying for school, not so much about being able to get in,” she said.