Admissions Office had Largest Class Apply

Creighton’s admissions office has had a record setting number of applications come in for the class of 2018.

 The number of applications is just shy of 8,200. This is about 3,000 more applications than the nearly 5,200 that were sent last year and applications are still coming in.

Director of Admissions and Scholarships, Mary Chase said she believes there are key factors that influenced this increase.

Creighton’s shift in marketing as they partnered with an external agent, excitement with joining the Big East and the new Heider College of Business all had an impact on the jump in number of applications, according to Chase.

In addition to this, Creighton is a very humble institution and is now more aggressive in telling this, Chase commented.

The growing number of applications brought with it a heavier workload for those processing them as well as a greater reliance on students. Nonetheless, every application was read, processed, and replied to with a hand-written note.

Brian Nigg, assistant director of admissions, remarked on keeping the process personal.

“Maintaining a personal touch is what defines Creighton’s admission process and something we are very committed to maintaining despite ever increasing applications,” Nigg said.

Nigg also commented on how the application review process was improved to meet its new need.

“We have experienced an increase in workload, but have streamlined how applications are reviewed to help manage the increase in applications,” Nigg said.

The university is not looking to grow drastically, but rather incrementally. There were 961 new freshmen last year, and there will probably be around 50 more than that in the upcoming year, Chase indicated.

“As a university we want to remain true to our underlying mission and values. We are looking for students that are a good fit,” Chase said.

Chase emphasized the main point she wants everyone to recognize in the midst of all the excitement.

 “There is one thing we want to make sure the campus understands,” Chase said. “We still have to work hard to enroll the class and we still want to interact, engage and get to know the students.”

Nigg looked to the future and explained the changes the university would need to make if this growing trend were to continue.

“If applications continue to rise,” Nigg said, “Creighton will definitely need to assess our current structure to see if additional staff members will need to be added to continue to review applications in a timely and personal manner.”