By Neil Offen

noffen@heraldsun.com; 419-6646

DURHAM -- More than 2,000 high school seniors are pretty certain they want to attend Duke University next year.

The university has received a record number of early decision applicants, a whopping 32 percent increase from last year, which had been the second highest total ever. The 2,040 students who applied for early decision this year know they want to attend Duke and commit to enrolling at the university if they receive an offer of admission next month.

Christoph Guttentag, Duke's dean of undergraduate admissions, attributed the surge of interest to the university's increase in applications last year. Duke received more than 23,850 early and regular decision applications for the Class of 2013, which was almost a 17 percent increase over the previous record.

"When we received 3,500 more applications last year than the year before, people noticed; schools, parents and counselors saw the results of our greater selectivity," Guttentag said. "I think students realized that the best way to improve their chances of being admitted this year would be to apply early decision."

Another contributing factor, Guttentag added, was Duke's commitment to making the cost of attendance more affordable. Two years ago, Duke announced significant enhancements to its financial aid program for lower- and middle-income families.

"People are increasingly believing colleges when we say we will make it affordable for students from every economic background," Guttentag said. "I think families are realizing that schools like Duke are within reach."

Although Duke is significantly more expensive than any state schools, it is less expensive than many of its elite peer private institutions. Duke charges $50,250 a year for tuition, fees and room and board; 49 private colleges charge more, according to a survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education..

Duke is also one of a limited number of schools with a "need-blind" admissions policy, and the university guarantees it will meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need.

In previous years, about one-third of the students who applied early decision were accepted, which is a higher admittance rate than those who apply through the regular process.

But the increase in applications means that the percentage of early decision admits will "almost certainly" drop this year, although how much won't be known until applications are read and evaluated, Guttentag said.

The largest percentage increases among early decision applicants were among students from California, New Jersey and Virginia, as well as international students. Students who applied early decision should learn in mid-December whether they have been accepted.