CC, SEAS ’13 most selective class ever

Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science admitted 9.82 percent of all applicants to the prospective class of 2013, which will yield its most selective undergraduate class yet.

In accordance with recent trends, SEAS increased its selectivity this year, admitting 14.42 percent of applicants, about three percent fewer than last year’s 17.6 percent. On the other hand, the College was slightly less selective, as 8.92 percent of students were admitted, proportionately slightly more than last year’s 8.71 percent. The College also saw an enrollment increase of 50 students for the upcoming year, which allows for a slight decrease in selectivity in the admissions process.

“I remain impressed by the caliber of each student admitted to the class of 2013,” Jessica Marinaccio, dean of admissions, said in a statement.
The number of applications received this year reached a record high of 25,428, an increase of 13 percent from last year’s 22,584-student applicant pool. SEAS received 4,154 applications for admission, up 20 percent from last year’s 3,465. The College received 21,274 applications, an 11 percent increase from last year’s 19,117. Administrators have suggested that the increase in applications during a financial crisis can be attributed to last year’s financial aid enhancements.

A slew of admissions officers—including the self-styled “Captain Columbia,” a middle-aged man wrapped in a light blue Columbia flag—escorted thick and thin envelopes into a UPS truck. They gathered ecstatically on a sunny College Walk at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, posing for pictures as they saw envelopes off to the homes of regular decision applicants in all 50 states and in 78 countries.

Standing by the truck, Marinaccio boasted that those selected “represent the diversity of voice and experience” valued at Columbia. “The fact that we were able to admit more students this year opened the door to more qualified applicants,” she added, referring to the recently announced increase in class size. She stressed that all admissions of applicants from the United States, Canada, and Mexico are need-blind.

Vice President for Arts and Sciences Nicholas Dirks said in an interview last Thursday that augmenting the class size would result in a modest but significant increase in revenues for the University, which in January announced a 15 percent drop in the performance of its portfolio over a six-month period. Dirks estimated that the increase would amount to around $1 million after accounting for costs such as renovations to Harmony Hall. He stressed that the admissions decisions for the additional students would be need-blind, adding that there is no news of a tuition increase yet. He explained that according to University research, the proportion of students paying full tuition among the new additions would remain about the same, allowing the University to retain its need-blind admissions policy.

Joy Resmovits contributed reporting to this article.