VOL. 23, NO. 12	JANUARY 23, 1998

Columbia College early decision applications, 1995-1998.

arly decision applications have once again increased dramatically to Columbia College (23 percent) and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (55 percent), and have also revealed a stronger applicant pool, with an increase in the mean SAT scores.

  On the heels of last year's jump in early decision applications—which was the only increase in the Ivy League—this news further indicates the College is increasingly the school of choice for many of the country's top students.

  "The applicant pool is extremely strong," said Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Chris Colombo. And they are already devoted Columbians. "The students clearly indicate—through all the information they send us—that they definitely want to be at Columbia." Early decision, which is a binding agreement, is an option offered to students who are sure of where they want to attend college.

  The mean SAT scores of the admitted early decision pool for the College increased 20 points from last year, to 1393. The admitted pool mean SAT score for the Fu Foundation school increased 11 points, to 1366.

  The actual number of early decision applications received by the College this year was 1,097, which is more than double what it was just three years ago. Indeed, five years ago, Columbia College received just 389 early applications. The Fu Foundation school early decision applications increased from 97 to 151, and the school has become increasingly attractive to young women, as 30 percent of the pool were female.

  Forty-five percent of the Columbia College Class of 2002, which will have 955 students, has been chosen from the early decision pool. In the Fu Foundation School, 32 percent of the class has been selected to be part of a class of 295 students.

  The increase in demand for admission to Columbia is the result of several factors, Colombo said, chief among them the classic education of the Core Curriculum and New York City's growing attractiveness.

  The admissions office in recent years has also broadened its recruiting efforts. Colombo pointed out that alumni support has increased as well: last year more than 7,000 interviews of prospective students were conducted by alumni around the country.

Chris Colombo. Record Photo by Amy Callahan.

  "That really helps us," Colombo said. "Especially as the admissions process becomes more selective, every piece of information about a student is helpful."

  Despite recent concerns raised in the media that early decision policies hurt students of color, Columbia's early decision option this year saw an increase in minority students. There was also an increase in the number of legacy applicants.

  The overall application figures for the Class of 2002 will be available in the next several weeks, as the regular deadline for admission was Jan. 1. The deadline for early decision was Nov. 1.