The University of Connecticut has received approximately 30,000 applications for undergraduate admission for fall 2012, a record-setting number besting last year’s then-record of 28,100.

Over the past two years, the volume of applications to UConn has increased by 36 percent.

In 2001, the University received about 13,600 applications.

“While no single factor can explain the dramatic increase in interest, recent attention paid to UConn’s rise in the national rankings to become a top 20 school among public universities certainly had an impact,” said Nathan Fuerst, UConn’s director of admissions. “Our excellent academic reputation combined with our very competitive cost also means the University represents an outstanding value for families. Our athletic successes have also traditionally played a role in generating more interest in becoming a Husky.”

UConn is in the middle of the top 53 public universities in the nation when it comes to the cost of attending. Kiplinger’s magazine recently named UConn one of the top 30 “best value” public colleges and universities in the nation.

It is currently estimated that the University will enroll approximately 3,225 freshmen at the Storrs campus for the fall semester.

UConn’s rolling admissions deadlines mean that the University will continue to act on applications through May 1.

“While UConn still has a considerable number of applications to review, this class of applicants appears to be very strong academically,” said Fuerst. “We have good reason to be optimistic about the quality of this year’s freshman class.”