UTM applications for admission have increased 11 percent for fall and summer enrollment compared to the same period last year, according to the Office of Admissions.

A recent office of admissions report showed that as of Jan. 1, 2006, 1,428 students had applied for summer and fall enrollment, an increase of nearly 150 applications from that date in 2005.

2005 was the third consecutive year that there has been an increase in applications. Enrollment has also been at record levels for the past four years.

Citing recent opportunities for students to attend college, Judy Rayburn, director of admissions, said, “There’s no doubt the Tennessee HOPE Lottery Scholarship program is playing a significant role in students choosing to attend UTM.”

Rayburn also gave other possible reasons more students are choosing UTM. “We think students tend to make their decisions based on a school’s atmosphere. Students are looking for more personal attention. They are looking at the size of the university and the opportunity to be involved in campus activities,” said Rayburn.

She said staying close to home and cost of tuition were also factors in the decisions of students.

“The new apartment-style housing also is very attractive to incoming freshmen,” Rayburn added.

“Preliminary reports show UTM had the largest percentage increase of any Tennessee public university last year. We were the only public four-year university to receive the maximum 100 points score on the THEC (Tennessee Higher Education Commission) performance funding measure,” said Chancellor Nick Dunagan.

“We are becoming the university of choice for students and parents who want a great undergraduate education on a moderately-sized campus in a safe environment,” added Dunagan.

The increasing application and enrollment numbers coincide with UTM’s improved rankings in the 2006 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” complied by the U.S. News and World Report magazine. UTM moved up three spots from 2005’s 23rd place to tie for 20th place with the University of North Florida.