CSU Monterey Bay saw a 5.3 percent increase in freshmen applications this year over last year, with approximately 15,391 first-time freshmen applying for admission next fall.

The university’s total number of applicants is 12 percent higher than two years ago when 13,753 applied, said Dr. Ronnie Higgs, the university’s vice president of student affairs and enrollment services

CSUMB also had 3,713 upper-division transfers apply, an increase of 1 percent.

Approximately 44 percent of the applicants will receive admission letters to the university.