Summer 2005

We are happy to report that GSAS continues to attract the best and the brightest -- and more of them, for that matter. This year GSAS received a record 9,615 applications. This number tops the previous high (9,596 in 2003) and represents a 4% increase over last year's applications.

The great majority of GSAS applicants are interested in PhD programs. We received 7,667 applications to doctoral programs, and from this number we pulled in the best 310 new PhD students. And we happy to report that a significant milestone has been passed: For the first time in GSAS history, women outnumber men.

Here's the breakdown for all PhD programs:
Women 158 (51%)
Men 152 (49%)

This chart tracks the ratio of men to women admitted to PhD programs across the divisions:

Perhaps the most hopeful news comes in the sciences, where the male/female ratio has historically been the greatest —and, recently, of course, the most politicized. This year the incoming PhD students are evenly divided: 56 men and 56 women.

We are also pleased to report that international students are returning to Columbia. After a few years that saw some international students discouraged by complicated and unpredictable visa processes, GSAS again is a school of choice for students from around the world.

Here are the numbers for the incoming PhD students:
US 173 (56%)
International 137 (44%)

Finally, we are pleased to mention the excellent group of new MA students coming to Columbia this year. No fewer than 540 new MA students will join us next week, many of them entering exciting, indeed cutting-edge, interdisciplinary programs such as Biotechnology and Climate and Society. Here too the women outnumber the men (53% to 47%), though the percentage of international students is a bit lower (39%).

GSAS has presented an extensive array of orientation events to welcome its new students to the community. Please take the opportunity to welcome your new colleagues in the weeks ahead. We think you'll be impressed.