The undergraduate admissions office had to sort through more than 15,000 applications for the first time ever, including the 2,293 received for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

The selectivity rate for the College (the percentage of admittances from the total of applications) dropped from last year's 14.2 percent to 13.6 percent, another all-time low. Columbia's yield rate (the percentage of admittances who actually choose Columbia) is expected to remain near last year's 54 percent, which was one of the highest figures in the country. And the mean SAT score among the 1,766 students accepted for admission to the College (including 438 applicants who were accepted on early decision) is 1,420 out of a possible 1,600.

What all those numbers mean is that it's harder than ever to get into Columbia. "Admissions decisions are extremely difficult given the strength and depth of the applicant pool," said Eric Furda, director of undergraduate admission, who nonetheless is quick to add that he relishes the opportunity to "sculpt a class of tremendous academic ability and far-reaching talents."

Along with the traditional paper/mail means of approaching the application process, many of the current students are relying more and more upon the Internet in the process. "The Web is being used exponentially," said Furda. "I think across the board all Ivies have had an increase in numbers. Our offices are receiving fewer traditional letters asking for applications and more e-mail requests."

Thanks to the Internet, today's applicants are able to deal with much of the admissions process electronically. While prospective College students cannot yet submit their applications online (they can, however, download the application forms), the admissions office and student information services are seeking to create an online application process that would dispense with any intermediary companies or software. Already, applicants have the ability to track the status of their application via the college's website to check if items such as transcripts or recommendations have been received.

Simplicity of use and increased availability of information are the key attractions to students in the use of the Internet, while efficiency in dealing with the vast quantity of paperwork is the key attraction for the admissions officers.