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NEW YORK – January 24, 2006 -- High school students seeking admission to Columbia University are part of the biggest applicant pool in ten years, with far more international students than ever before. Already enjoying a reputation as one of the world's leading global universities, ranking second last year in the U.S. for international enrollment, Columbia experienced a 23 percent increase in undergraduate applications from non-US citizens or permanent residents. The largest increase in international applications came from Asia, an additional 26.3 percent more than last year. About 17 percent of Columbia's undergraduate and graduate student body are international.
Overall, Columbia experienced an almost nine percent (8.9 percent) increase in undergraduate applicants seeking entry for the Class of 2010, which represents a 66 percent increase during the last ten years. Most regions of the U.S. sent more applications: the Northeast increased by eight percent; the Midwest by 12 percent; the Southwest by 6.3 percent and the West by 6.4 percent.
Almost 20,000 (19,760) undergraduate students applied to Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science for 1,500 spots, representing an eight percent increase (17,080) for Columbia College, and a 14.9 percent increase (2,680) for the Fu School of Engineering and Applied Science.
"This phenomenal surge of interest in attending these two Columbia undergraduate institutions speaks to the strength of our faculty and our academic offerings, the talent and diversity of our student body, our relevance and high level of engagement in the world, and our overall reputation and tradition of excellence," said Lee C. Bollinger, president of Columbia University.
Director of Undergraduate Admissions Jessica Marinaccio added, "It is particularly pleasing to see increases across so many segments of the population, allowing Columbia to create a diverse class that represents differences of background, opinion, and experience. "Students learn as much from each other, as from faculty. The chance to develop a class with this much cultural diversity and quality is wonderful."
Also, the trend toward early admission continued to grow. More applicants (3.7 percent) than last year sought to make Columbia their first-choice school by seeking early admission.
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