MUNCIE, Ind. - More students want to become members of Ball State University’s freshman class of 2000, officials reported Friday.

Douglas McConkey, vice president for student affairs, said freshman applications for fall 2000 are up 34 percent from the same period last year.

According to McConkey, more than 2,100 students have applied for enrollment next fall, compared with 1,578 last year.

Not only is Ball State receiving more applications, McConkey said, but the quality of incoming students continues to improve.

"Last year’s entering class was Ball State’s best ever academically," McConkey said. "The applications we have received so far indicate that next fall’s class will be just as good."

Freshman applications from Indiana are up significantly, McConkey said, as are applications from Ohio and Michigan.

"Raising our academic standards has caused students to take a good look at Ball State," McConkey said. "The marketing initiative we began last year is also beginning to pay off."