Posted on Jan. 23: Students show interest in all McMaster faculties

Ontario high school students want McMaster.

Figures released Wednesday by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre show the number of students listing McMaster as their first choice is up more than 50 per cent.

As of Jan. 15, 2003, 6,748 students have listed McMaster as their first choice compared to 4,482 last year.

Students who have listed McMaster as their second or third choice also increased more than 50 per cent from last year at this time.

About one-third of all Ontario high school students or 35,000 applicants who want to go to university in the province next year applied to McMaster.

“These numbers confirm that McMaster's track record of providing excellence in teaching and scholarship appeals to students,” said President Peter George. “They are attracted to our strong academic programs and by our reputation as a school that fosters innovation and discovery.”

The interest in McMaster programs is evident across the disciplines with significant increases in applications in all faculties.

President George said 80 per cent of Ontario students who attend McMaster come from the Golden Horseshoe, including 42 per cent from the Greater Toronto area.

The target for first-year enrolment in September 2003 is about 4,900.