Barnard
Admits Most Selective Class in College's History
NEW YORK, N.Y., March 26, 2001 -- Following a
record number of applications, Barnard has admitted
the most selective class in the College's history.
Admission
letters went out Monday to 1,142 students from
across the nation and throughout the world, inviting
them to join the class of 2005. They will have
until May 1 to respond.
"This is an exceptional group of women who bring
a record of academic accomplishment and an enormous
range of talents. They include philosophers and
scientific researchers, karate students with black
belts and ballet dancers with professional experience,"
said Jennifer Fondiller, Dean of Admissions. "We
faced many difficult decisions because of increasing
competition for a limited number of places at
Barnard; more and more students are attracted
to Barnard's unique attributes."
Including the 135 students admitted under the
Early Decision program, 31.4 percent of applicants
were admitted this year out of a record total
of 4,071 applicants. That compares to 37 percent
of applicants admitted last year, or 1,448 out
of 3,910, making this the most selective admissions
year in Barnard's history.
Overall
applications rose this year by a greater percentage
than previous three years. For 2001, applications
increased 4 percent to 4,067; in 2000, they increased
1 percent to 3,910; and in 1999, they increased
1 percent to 3,883.
This
year marked the first year that the College admitted
a select group of GE Science Fellows. Funded by
a grant from the GE Corp., the Science Futures
for Minority Women Program offers financial assistance
and encouragement to women of color to pursue
careers in physics, math or computer science.
Students selected for the program at the time
of admission are offered a summer of training
in science prior to their first year of college,
mentors, new courses, and research internships.
The GE program builds on Barnard's success in
preparing women for careers in the sciences. A
grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
has funded 116 year-long research internships
for Barnard students, as well as faculty, laboratory
renovations, purchase of equipment, and new course
development.
Contact:
Lucas Held, Office of Public Affairs, 212-854-2037
Jennifer Fondiller, Office of Admissions, 212-854-2014
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