Number of Blacks Applying to Berkeley Up Sharply

Overall applications to the University of California at Berkeley were up nearly 11 percent this year. But the number of blacks applying to Berkeley rose from 1,424 to 1,694, an increase of 19 percent.

University officials say that concentrated outreach and recruiting efforts directed toward black and other minority students have resulted in an increased number of applications from targeted groups. A larger admissions staff at Berkeley is visiting more high schools in minority areas and attending college fairs throughout California.

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