TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology will be choosing its upcoming freshman class from its largest pool of applicants.

Over 5,300 students applied to attend Rose-Hulman next year, a record-breaking number. The students come from all over the world– with over 70 different countries represented. Vice President for enrollment management Tom Bear said this was also the most diverse group of students they had apply, an important milestone.

“What we want to do is create a learning environment that’s very diverse, but also very representative of the world, because our students who are going out are going to have to prepare to work in a complex, global society,” he said. “They’re going to have pretty significant problems, and you have to do that around people from different backgrounds and different parts of the world.”

He said the next month will be a busy time for the school with visits from prospective students– something that benefits the Terre Haute community as a whole.

“For the Terre Haute community here, we’re bringing students nationally and worldwide to the community, to be learners, to live in the community for four years and invest in the community,” Bear said. “It’s wonderful because we’re bringing in visitors all over the country and all over the world to share in a community we all really celebrate.”

The deadline for college selection is May 1st. Bear said they had about 150 students confirmed for next year’s class, and he estimates the final number will be around 600