For the fall of 2009 15,098 prospective freshmen applied and 6,643 were accepted.

The proposition will prohibit prospective freshmen who do not meet the N.C.A.A.'s academic standards from receiving any financial aid from schools.

Like most colleges, the University of Southern California has a computer that sends out "personalized" recruiting letters to prospective freshmen.

The 22-campus California State University is considering having more of their prospective freshmen spend time at the state's community colleges before starting baccalaureate work.

Each spring, in a ritual mailing that probably brings more jubilation to American households than even tax refunds, the nation's colleges send millions of acceptances to prospective freshmen.

Once the letters announcing their acceptance went out, the hard sell began, and Ms. Inman, a senior at Berkeley now, hit the telephone lines, calling prospective freshmen.

The writer June Jordan, a professor of African-American studies, said she has told prospective black freshmen: "I implore you to come.

Looking at a college's bonds may never become the primary way for prospective freshmen and their parents to size up a school.

And since then, more and more money is being spent wooing prospective freshmen.

Campus Preview Weekend was chosen because the Caltech students would blend in with the unfamiliar prospective freshmen, and to increase the pranks' visibility.