Once again, UC Berkeley topped its previous record-breaking student applications for the upcoming fall semester.

More than 128,100 high school seniors applied for the fall 2022 freshman class, according to a UC Berkeley press release. Campus also saw a 13% increase in freshman applications, in contrast to a roughly 13% decrease in systemwide transfer applications. While the campus community welcomes the overall increase in applications, many express concern regarding issues such as housing, the recent enrollment cap and the drop in applications from community college students.

“Considering that we are still in the middle of a pandemic, it’s truly impressive that so many students were able to commit to the college application process,” said Abby Jones, UC Berkeley’s executive director of undergraduate admissions, in a press release. “I’m especially pleased about the increases in first-generation applicants and those qualifying for a fee waiver, as we seek to make our admission process more accessible.”

While the nation’s universities experienced a decrease, the UC system had an increase in applications, according to Olufemi Ogundele, campus associate vice chancellor of enrollment and dean of undergraduate admissions.

Ogundele also highlighted the diversity in UC Berkeley’s applicant pool and added that UC Berkeley continues to be a top choice for “talented scholars.”

“UC Berkeley was ranked one of the best schools in the world by Forbes and many other magazines,” said ASUC Senator Elif Sensurucu in an email. “I can’t really say I’m surprised. Go Bears!”

The increase in applications comes at a time when the campus was ordered to decrease its enrollment to 2020-2021 levels. The enrollment freeze will result in one-third fewer enrollment seats, which is a cut of 3,050 admits.

Campus junior Jiban Gurung said he is also not surprised campus saw increased applications. Gurung said that everyone wants to go to a good school and that is why so many more students applied to UC Berkeley.

However, Gurung expressed concern that UC Berkeley was ordered to freeze its enrollment. Gurung said as a transfer student, he understands how hard students work to achieve their dreams, such as getting accepted to UC Berkeley.

Gurung also said campus should make sure that students are able to find affordable housing.

“There should be more housing available,” Gurung said. “There are so many students who can’t afford the housing that is offered by UC Berkeley.”

UC Berkeley also “lacks” support for current transfer students, alleged campus junior Mohammed Abed. According to Abed, there is no support system, which adds to the stress that comes from living in a pandemic.

While it is good that more students applied, the enrollment cap and housing issue are setbacks, according to Abed. The purpose of a Californian public university is to serve the students of California, Abed noted.

“I hope that more people have the opportunity to go here,” Abed said. “It genuinely sucks that we have this court order and that we have a housing crisis.”