SAN DIEGO - Nearly 75,000 prospective undergraduate students applied to San Diego State University for the fall 2013 semester -- setting a new record, the school announced Wednesday.

The previous record total was 68,968 undergraduate applications for fall 2012 according to SDSU.

"We are extremely pleased to see a record number of students expressing interest in attending San Diego State," said SDSU President Elliot Hirshman. "This interest reflects the strength of our academic programs, including opportunities for internships, undergraduate research experiences, and international study, as well as the richness and diversity of our campus life."

The number of freshmen applicants totaled 53,913, up 7 percent from last year. The university received 20,545 upper division transfer applications, up 12 percent from last year.

Those who applied will receive notice of acceptance in March.

The California State University system received more than 763,000 undergraduate applications from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, much higher than the 679,000 received last year.