Rise in Foreign and Female Students Drives Increase in Business-School Applications

By MARTIN VAN DER WERF

Applications for graduate business programs increased last year at most universities in the United States and around the world, continuing an upward trend after two years of steep declines earlier this decade.

The increase stems primarily from the rising number of women and international students seeking business degrees, says a report based on a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council. A spokesman for the council, Bob Ludwig, said the newfound popularity of the M.B.A. was