MARQUETTE -- It was something the N.M.U. administration has never seen before:  a record breaking 800 students attending Wildcat Weekend.

"I think when the economy is tight, people are even a little better shopper,” said Kevin Stulz, Assistant Director of the Admissions Office at N.M.U..  “And they want to make sure that the decisions that they're considering, they've fully explored and they've seen what their options are."

The event acted like an open house for the university.  Saturday, prospective students got insight into N.M.U.’s academics, extra curricular activities, and financial aid assistance programs.

"I was accepted here so I want to kind of further my information about the school, kind of figure out if it's the right school for me," said Illinois resident Quinn Olender.

So what brought so many students out?

"I think it has a lot to do with when our admissions counselors are out meeting students at the high schools or when they're doing college fairs,” Stulz said, “they’re building some excitement, and students now want to come up, bring their parents or bring their friends and see what it is we actually have to offer."

For others it was N.M.U.’s reputation.

"A lot of kids from my school are, you know, talking about it,” said transfer student Mitch Gane.  “And basically all my counselors kind of point the finger toward this school 'cause it's, like you know, renown."

And the trend doesn't seem to be slowing down.  N.M.U. will be hosting another Wildcat Weekend Saturday, March 19, and there are already close to 20 students registered.