CSUMentor, the web-based system that helps students plan for and apply to the CSU, received a record 418,611 electronic applications between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, a 21.9% increase over applications received during the same period last year. A total of 110,770 applications were received on the last two days of the application period, Nov. 29 and 30.

"Students have clearly embraced the process of applying online," said Allison Jones, the CSU's assistant vice chancellor for student academic support. "During this period of heavy enrollment demand, both students and campus staff seem to appreciate the convenience and flexibility of CSUMentor and the online application process."

Students intending to enroll at a CSU campus in fall 2005 had been strongly advised to submit their applications for admission no later than Nov. 30. Now that the initial application window has closed, students who have not yet applied will not be admitted to an impacted campus and run the risk of not being admitted to campuses that are still accepting applications. A complete campus-by-campus list of application status for fall 2005 is available here. (Select "Undergraduate" and "Fall 2005" from the pull-down menus.)

CSUMentor, which was designed by the Los Angeles-based Xap Corporation in cooperation with the CSU, has experienced soaring popularity since it was first introduced in 1996. This year's increase in online application follows increases of 47% in fall 2003 and 2002, 69% in fall 2001, and 70% in fall 2000 over the previous year.

CSUMentor, a free service, also offers multimedia campus tours, student-campus matching assistance, free e-mail accounts, academic planners that allow students to track their progress in meeting admission requirements, and assistance in completing financial aid forms. Students pay only the application fee charged by the CSU campus when they submit an application for admission.