The number of students admitted increased from 8,343 last year to 8,707 this year, including an increase in offers of admission to prospective high school seniors from every ethnic group.

The offers to attend UC Berkeley are the culmination of an intensive three-month review of student applications. The in-depth, highly individualized review considers many varied indicators of academic and personal achievement, said UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl.

"I congratulate the students and their parents for working so hard to reach this milestone," Berdahl said. "We look forward to having an exceptional group of new students joining the Berkeley learning community this fall."

The 1,013 Chicano and Latino students admitted this year comprise a larger portion of the class than last year. They represent 11.9 percent of admitted students, up from 10.8 percent last year. Other data shows that:

* The number of African American high school students offered admission increased from 301 last year to 313 this year. African Americans represent 3.7 percent of students admitted.

* The number of Asian American students offered admission increased from 3,225 last year to 3,336 this year. Asian Americans represent 39.1 percent of students admitted.

* White high school students offered admission increased from 2,767 last year to 2,872 this year. Whites represent 33.7 percent of students admitted.

* American Indian students offered admission increased from 43 last year to 56 this year, representing 0.7 percent of students admitted.

* Young women make up 56.4 percent of the admitted class, numbering 4,909 students. Young men represent 43.0 percent of the admitted class, numbering 3,740 students. (No data was available for 58 of the applicants.)

* At least one student from virtually every county in the state, 56 of the 58 counties, was admitted to UC Berkeley.

UC Berkeley received an unprecedented number of applications for the fall 2001 freshman class. More than 36,000 high school seniors filed applications. Approximately 24 percent of those who applied were offered admission, with the aim of enrolling a fall freshman class of about 3,880 students.

Under the UC Berkeley admissions process, applicants are considered on both academic achievements and a variety of other personal accomplishments. All accomplishments are evaluated in the context of the opportunities and challenges applicants faced. Each application is read from cover to cover by at least two professional evaluators.

Students were mailed admission letters on Thursday, March 29. They have until May 1 to sign letters of intent indicating their plans to enroll at UC Berkeley.