Shriya Manian for Spectator
After breaking national records last year for selectivity, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions received 5.86 percent fewer applicants for Early Decision admission this year. Admissions officers mailed acceptance letters to the first admits to the Class of 2016 this afternoon.
Last year Columbia received 3,229 applications for Early Decision. This year, likely because Harvard and Princeton reinstated their early application programs, Columbia received applications from 3,088 people, looking to commit unconditionally to Columbia.
A spokesperson for Student Affairs said that the percentage of the class filled through Early Decision has remained consistent with previous years, but did not release the exact percentage. Last year Admissions accepted a record-low 19.6 percent of all Early Decision applications, down from 21.2 percent for the ED class of 2014.
Statement from Jessica Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, after the jump:
