The University of Hawai'i-Manoa has received more than 12,000 new and transfer undergraduate student applications for enrollment in the fall 2009 semester.

That's a 5 percent increase over fall 2008.

Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw says more applications means more students see UH-Manoa as their "destination of choice."

The university continues to receive late applications.

Associate Vice Chancellor Alan Yang says those will be considered, "given the current economic situation's impact on access to higher education."

The flagship campus of the UH system serves about 20,000 students from throughout the United States and more than 100 countries. Students are pursuing 225 different degrees.