Robert Barker/University Photography

Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Lee Melvin says Cornell leads the Ivy League in attracting applicants for admission.

Cornell's undergraduate admissions website went live at 5 p.m. March 28 with information on the selection status of high school seniors who applied to enter the Class of 2017 this fall.

The total number of applications received for freshman admission was 40,006, the highest to date -- a 5.8 percent increase over 2012, when 37,812 applications were received, and a 9.9 percent increase since 2011.

With the greater number of applications, Cornell is more selective each year on the number of students admitted, said Lee H. Melvin, associate vice provost for enrollment.

"Cornell continues to lead the Ivy League in attracting applicants for admission," Melvin said. "The increase in applications is notable, but our focus remains the quality of the applicant pool."

The overall admit rate of 15.2 percent (reflecting early decision and regular decision) was lower; in 2012, 16.2 percent of applicants were selected for admission, compared with 18 percent in 2011.

A total of 6,062 applicants were admitted, compared with 6,119 in 2012.

The number of admitted students from underrepresented minority populations increased to 1,512, or 24.9 percent, from 1,469, or 24.0 percent, in 2012. Women were 51.6 percent of all admitted students, compared with 52.0 percent in 2012. In newly included data this year, first-generation applicants -- students whose parents did not graduate from college -- represent 11 percent of the admit pool at Cornell.

Admitted students reside in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam; and in 82 countries worldwide, a significant jump from 68 countries represented in last year's admissions.

"The number of countries represented in the admit cohort is a reflection of Cornell's global appeal and it exemplifies the international diversity we seek in our enrolling class," Melvin said.

The university offered 3,142 students a place on the waitlist, a slight increase from 3,120 last year.

Selected students have until May 1 to decide whether to accept Cornell's offer of admission. To encourage them to do so, alumni across the nation and around the world will be hosting events and talking with students about the university and how they can benefit from becoming a Cornellian.

Admitted students will visit Ithaca throughout the month of April and during Cornell Days, when they can tour the campus, attend classes, stay in the residence halls and talk with faculty members and current students about what Cornell has to offer.

For more information, visit http://www.cornell.edu/admissions.