Mr. Breimer was particularly pleased because, in the admissions competition, which pits colleges against colleges, as well as applicants against applicants, 1,500 is "exponentially better" than 1490.
Columbia College had 14,129 applicants, 35 more than last year.
That class had the most applicants, 109 for 50 slots.
Of the 360 applicants, 329 were deemed viable; in 2011, there were about 150 applicants, Ms. Myatt said.
Fewer than 0.5% of applicants (15 out of 3,300) are successful each year.
Two states go further and require road tests for renewal applicants 75 and older.
About half the applicants, 17,651, used the Internet to file for next month's exam.
In 2009, the year with the highest number of applicants, 91,131 were approved.
For applicants 18 and older, positions last from 12 weeks to a year.
From more than 300 applicants, 131 were chosen to play in the preliminary rounds.
Of 4,000 applicants, 504 went through the information session and interview, and 339 decided to go.
