PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh State has closed freshman admissions for the fall 2008 academic semester.

The number of freshmen who have chosen to enroll in the fall is up substantially and has exceeded the college's goal.

"Current freshman deposits are strong at 1,109," Rich Higgins, director of admissions and associate vice president of enrollment management, said in a news release. "This is great news for SUNY Plattsburgh."

Incoming students must pay a deposit to confirm that they plan to attend the college. Total deposits for incoming freshmen are up by nearly 17 percent over last year and have surpassed the targeted goal of 975 students.

"Due to the high demand, we are starting to turn away freshman applications, as well as those deposits that are late -- beyond announced deadlines," said Higgins.

"Not only is enrollment strong but our incoming class is one of the strongest, from an academic standpoint, that we have seen in recent history," President John Ettling said in a statement.

"Members of the admissions staff and the college as a whole should be proud of the hard work that's gone into bringing in this class. It has been a college-wide effort."

Though freshman admissions were cut off as of May 6, the college will continue to accept students who want to transfer from other institutions, graduate students and students applying for re-admission to complete their studies.