A surge in regular applications helped produce one of the largest applicant pools in history, despite the decrease in Harvard’s early admissions applicant pool. 19,750 students applied for spots in the Class of 2008—only about 1,250 fewer than last year.

The College switched to a single-choice early action program this year, after the former system—which allowed applicants to apply to early decision and early action schools simultaneously—led to a bloated early applicant pool and logistical headaches at Byerly Hall.

Admissions officials said in early November that they had expected the decline in early applicants because of the change.

Positive feedback from students, counselors and alumni affirmed the decision to change to a single-choice early admissions system, according to Fitzsimmons.

“We have no intention to change [again],” he said.

This year’s pool also contained the lowest number of valedictorian applicants in five years. Fitzsimmons attributed the decline to the increase in schools doing away with class rank.

Regional demographics for the Class of 2008 were virtually identical to last year’s class of first-years. Again, the mid-Atlantic states produced the highest number of admits.

Accepted students have until May 1 to accept or decline their place in the Class of 2008.

—Staff writer Michael M. Grynbaum can be reached at grynbaum@fas.harvard.edu.