Columbia College and SEAS report a marginal rise in acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 – The Times of India

For the Class of 2029, Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have admitted 4.29 percent of applicants, accepting 2,557 students from a pool of 59,616 applications. On Thursday evening, the schools notified regular decision applicants of their admissions status. The acceptance rate for this cycle has increased slightly compared to the previous year, as reported by the Columbia Spectator.
In December, Columbia College and SEAS announced their early decision results for the Class of 2029. The schools received 5,872 early decision applications, marking a 2.28 percent decrease from 6,009 applications in the 2023-24 early admissions cycle.
The admitted students represent all 50 states and 115 countries, with approximately half receiving financial aid, according to Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, as reported by the Columbia Spectator.
The regular decision acceptances were announced amid heightened federal scrutiny. The Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism recently canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to the university. The Trump administration has outlined a series of preconditions for reinstating the funding, including a March 13 letter calling for “comprehensive admissions reform.”
Additionally, Columbia University has introduced several new policies, including restrictions on demonstrations, revised disciplinary procedures, and an immediate review of its Middle East curriculum—steps that appear to be significant concessions, as reported by CNN. The Trump administration has demanded further reforms, including stricter enforcement of disciplinary policies, new protest regulations, a ban on masks during demonstrations, accountability measures for student groups, enhanced law enforcement protocols, and a comprehensive review of the university’s Middle East studies programs and admissions policies.
In a letter to the academic community, Columbia’s Board of Trustees endorsed these reforms, stating that they had engaged with federal agencies to discuss the school’s policy changes. The trustees expressed their belief that these measures align with Columbia’s values and mission, as reported by CNN.
The policy shifts come as part of a broader national debate over campus free speech, antisemitism, and academic governance. Columbia’s evolving stance on these issues will likely influence similar discussions at other universities across the country. Meanwhile, the admissions office remains focused on ensuring a diverse and academically talented incoming class despite ongoing external pressures.