UW-Madison will use admit about 500 wait-listed students by the beginning of the fall semester, according to a university statement.

Incoming freshmen for the fall 2008 semester were among a record 25,123 applicants who applied for admission. Of that number, only about half—12,500 students—were initially admitted.

By late May, nearly 5,500 freshman had committed to UW-Madison. With a target class of 5,700 students, the university will use the wait list to achieve its goal.

According to Karen Mittelstadt, communications manager of university admissions, all large research universities, especially within the Big Ten, have seen an increase in the number of applications. The value and reputation of a college degree continue to improve, allowing for increasingly competitive academic reputations.

In the past nine years, the wait list has only been used three times and not at all in 2007. At its highest point for 2008 admittance, UW-Madison’s wait list boasted 950 students—the first 375 gained admittance May 19.

With a growing number of high school seniors, more and more seem to be interested in applying to UW-Madison. Rob Seltzer, director of admissions for UW-Madison, cited several reasons for this.

“We have an excellent national and international reputation,” Seltzer said. “We are a terrific value in comparison to most private schools and many public flagship universities. Our sports teams are winners.”

With the newly-admitted class for the fall 2008 semester, the level of intelligence and hard work can be seen not only in numbers, but within outside activities as well. Both GPA and class rank of admitted students are on the high end. In addition, the amount of AP classes being taken, along with service learning opportunities, was at an all-time high.

With the increase of applicants with better credentials making their presence known, the university as a whole is likely to be affected.

“I think the faculty and the administration, as well as other students, are happy to be part of an outstanding university community,” Seltzer said.

“Everyone likes to be associated with bright, talented students. In turn they help attract talented, committed faculty members to the university.”