Florida's newest university is seeing a major influx of students wanting to attend the school next fall.

According to officials at Florida Polytechnic University, the actual students at the new "Poly Tech" may be the best recruiting tool.

The Lakeland school, and its distinctive campus, seem to be a hit with its first-ever group of students, totaling 550. Florida Poly focuses on preparing students for careers in advanced fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"I think by word of mouth," said student Scott Blasing about the university's best recruiting tool. "I have spoken to people about it."

Meanwhile, university admissions director Scott Rhodes says student inquiries are soaring compared to this time a year ago.

Inquiries are up 225 percent, student admission is up by 87 percent and students actually putting down deposits are up by 312 percent, Rhodes said.

For years, the school was just a concept or drawings. Rhodes said a new, ultra-modern campus with actual students is now a drawing card.

"It's real," Rhodes said. "It's a lot easier for students to see what they are going to experience."

Freshman Drew Tallman said he is constantly talking to friends in Citrus County about the school.

"And he told me he is always looking at Poly Tech," Tallman said of a friend back home. "So he is very excited to go to this school."

Rhodes said the school likely will cut off the admissions process for the fall of 2015 in February. The new recruiting numbers, meanwhile, will be presented to the university's board Tuesday during a meeting in Lakeland.