1.   At several Boston schools, for instance, applications have been rising for more than just the past year.

2.   But in New York as elsewhere, many colleges saw early applications rise.

3.   Mortgage applications are rising, too.

4.   Normally, these applications rise during hard times, since other jobs are harder to find.

5.   Spelman has seen its applications rise.

6.   U.S. mortgage applications rose last week as mortgage rates fell, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America said today, in yet another sign the housing market remains vibrant.

7.   U.S. mortgage applications rose last week as mortgage rates fell, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America said, in yet another sign the housing market remains vibrant.