Applications to McMaster have risen at twice the rate of the provincial average and the number of students naming McMaster as their first choice has risen by more than 8%.

“It's a strong signal that students want to be at McMaster and that the University has the programs, facilities and activities that are high on their list,” says McMaster registrar Richard Levin.

Across the province applications to universities have risen to record levels. The Council of Ontario Universities (COU)has reported that 84,300 university applications were received in the application centre, an 1.1% increase over the record set in 2008 and a 42% increase over 2000. (The only year in which the total was higher was the “double cohort” year of 2003 when the cancellation of grade 13 created two graduating classes in the same year.)

Although applications have risen, McMaster has not increased its first-year enrolment target which is approximately five thousand students.

While robust enrolment demand is a good news story, it also puts pressure on universities during difficult times. McMaster president Peter George says, “Providing students with a high quality learning environment is our top priority. It's a challenging demand particularly when university budgets are under stress. It's more important than ever that we build on our already strong partnerships with the provincial government to meet student needs.”

Paul Genest is president of COU. “We know from the $6.2 billion Reaching Higher Plan and more recent investments how committed the McGuinty government is to student success and to research. We look forward to working closely with the government as it considers the stimulus measures that will help to keep our universities dynamic and able to accelerate Ontario's recovery through innovation, developing talent and regional economic activity.”