The Office of Admissions has received a total of 6,694 applications for the Class of 2016 so far, a 2 percent increase from last year's applicant pool and an all-time record for the College.
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Scott Meiklejohn said the total number of applications is still in flux, as the office is "still chasing down people whose applications are incomplete."
Meiklejohn said that 288 applicants applied Early Decision II, 30 more than last year.
The applicant pool continues to become more diverse, with an 8 percent increase in international applicants and 16 percent increase in students of color compared to last year's numbers.
Meiklejohn emphasized the increase in the number of high schools nationwide that sent at least one application to Bowdoin. This year, 2,995 high schools are represented in the applicant pool, a 4 percent increase from last year's 2,882.
"It is more exciting of an achievement," Meiklejohn said. "In the long run, you want Bowdoin to be better known in more communities and more high schools."
Meiklejohn also noted a record number of students who were admitted to the Class of 2015 and decided to defer their enrollment for up to one year.
Nineteen students who were admitted last year decided to take a gap year, almost a 100 percent increase from typical numbers in the past.
"The fact that the Class of 2016 already has 19 students even before we started Early Decision I changes things," Meiklejohn said.
One hundred and seventy one students were admitted through Early Decision I, 29 percent of the 589 applications.
"With record number of applications this year and record number of students already having places in the class, it's going to be very challenging for the committee to do its work," said Meiklejohn.
The Early Decision II committee will commence its meetings next week. They plan on sending out Early Decision II letters on February 7 and regular decision letters on March 23.
Elsewhere in the NESCAC, application numbers have dropped in the last year. Thus far, Tufts has received 4.5 percent fewer applications, and Bates 5.17 percent fewer, according to "The Choice," a New York Times blog.