For the more than 9,100 high school seniors who applied to Hopkins for admission in fall 2001, the wait is over. After weeks of stuffing envelopes and being surrounded by them, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions put the university's responses in the mail in the final days of March.

"Although the total volume of freshman applications was down slightly--3 percent below last year--the quality was as strong as ever," says Sam McNair, interim director of undergraduate admissions.

In the days prior to mailing, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions was a sea of envelopes. Standing are Debbie Riley and Maggie Kennedy; in front, Diane Bockrath and Shalina Spurlock.

With early decision and regular decision combined, the university accepted 33 percent of freshman applicants to meet a target enrollment of 1,005 students, up from 985 last year. The average SAT I combined score, McNair said, was 1440, compared with 1430 last year.

"Overall, we had a great year," he said, "and we can expect an outstanding freshman class this fall."

Ellen Frishberg, director of Student Financial Services, said she, too, is pleased with the outcome of this year's admissions process. "The financial aid packages to this class were some of the best we've ever been able to offer, she said. "Offering need-based financial aid has become much easier since the advent of the Bloomberg gift," she said. In 1998, Michael R. Bloomberg, chairman of the board of trustees, designated two-thirds of a $45 million pledge to the university for student aid. "It has given us incredible flexibility," she said, "and we're more able to compete with our peers."

About 25 percent of incoming students, Frishberg said, have been offered grants to meet their full need; their packages do not ask them to borrow to finance their education. This is the third year that Hopkins has provided the enhanced financial aid packages. In all, approximately 40 percent of applicants have been offered need-based assistance.

"Our goal is to keep debt burdens down for our students," Frishberg said. "It feels good to be in my position to be able to provide that kind of access to financial aid," she said.

The tuition for the 2001-2002 academic year is $26,210. Room and board is $8,506.