A growing number of high-school students heading to university are listing York as their university of choice.
For the third consecutive year, a greater number of secondary school applicants applying for September admission have designated York as their first choice, according to figures released by the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC).
York enjoyed a 5.2-per-cent jump in first-choice applications compared to last year, which is more than double the average increase of 2.5 per cent in first-choice applications this year at other Ontario universities.
"We are very pleased that more high-school students are making York their number one choice for university," said Sheila Embleton, York vice-president academic. "It is also extremely positive that the increased preference for York is shared across all of our undergraduate faculties.
Left: Sheila Embleton, VP academic
"York now has an 11.2 per cent market share of the total number of first-choice Ontario high-school applicants (8,189 out of a total of 72,968)," said Embleton.
This year’s increase builds on the significant increase in market share experienced last year. Over the past two years York has seen its market share move from 9.1 per cent in 2003 to 11.2 per cent in 2005.
Embleton says many other universities also experienced growth in applications – but not necessarily market share.
In fact, over the last five years, York has risen from fourth place to second among Ontario universities in terms of first-choice applicants. In 1999, York’s market share was 8.4 per cent, fourth behind the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and University of Western Ontario. Today only U of T is ahead, at 16.1 per cent.
For more information, visit the OUAC Web site.