Applications up 17 percent at Air Force Academy after recruiters seek minorities, others

Applications up 17 percent at Air Force Academy

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force Academy says applications to attend the school next fall are up more than 17 percent after stepped up recruiting among minorities and in areas of the country underrepresented at the school.

Academy officials said they have received about 11,500 applications for the Class of 2014, which will enroll this year.

That’s 1,700 more than a year ago.

Applications from minority students are up by 36 percent, to about 4,030.

A typical class at the academy is 1,300 students. Like all service academies, the school’s total enrollment is capped by federal law at about 4,000.