Prince William A Boon To Scottish U.
Prince William hasn't sat through a single class at St. Andrews University yet, but the Scottish school where he plans to enroll this fall is already enjoying the effects of his fame.
Applications are up 44 percent from last year, with 9,212 students applying for just 1,250 places. Last year the university had 6,379 applications.
"I hope people have chosen St. Andrews for the same reasons I did, but I think we have to recognize that Prince William is a factor," said Marcus Booth, president of the university's student association. "We always thought we were a quiet, undiscovered corner of tranquillity, but now we are preparing for a busy time."
The 18-year-old prince, who is taking this academic year off to travel and work, will begin studying art history at St. Andrews in September. The school is in the town of St. Andrews, 30 miles north of Edinburgh.
"I'm sure there are a lot of extra women applying because he is so sought after. That will of course be great for the men," Booth said.
In October of last year it was revealed that American teen-age girls were also vying for the chance to study alongside the tall blond-haired prince, oldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.
British Council officials in the United States said that inquiries about St. Andrews were at unprecedented levels after William revealed his academic plans.
William graduated last year from the prestigious Eton boarding school, which his 16-year-old brother, Harry, currently attends. While at school, both boys largely enjoyed privacy under press guidelines on coverage of minors.
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