Spelman College Received Record Number of Applications For the 2021-2022 Admissions Cycle

Despite the pandemic, Spelman College received over 11,000 applications for the next admissions term. This represents the highest number of applications received in any admissions term since the founding of the college 140 years ago.

“The increased interest in Spelman is a testament to the College’s reputation of graduating Black women with a competitive edge who rise to leadership roles across industries and impact positive change in their communities,” said Spelman’s president Mary Schmidt Campbell said in a statement. “Our admissions team has done an excellent job of sharing our stellar outcomes with prospective students from across the nation. We are excited that these bright young minds are seizing the opportunity to experience our unique liberal arts education by applying to Spelman.”

Increasing Applications at Spelman College

Spelman has earned a reputation as one of the best women’s colleges in the country. Founded in 1881, it is the oldest historically Black college for women in America. It has been home to many trailblazing women leaders.

Rosalind Brewer currently serves as chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees. She graduated from Spelman in 1984. Brewer is the only Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company at this time. She’s on a mission to expand the mission of the college. Brewer is working to grant more students access to the wealth of opportunities that exist at Spelman.

Recently, Spelman announced a $250 million campaign. The school aims to develop new academic programs and make college more affordable.

“The excellence of Spelman College has a significant impact on our global community. The investment that our generous supporters continue to make to our beloved institution transforms lives and lifts communities,” said Brewer in a statement. “Their gifts enrich the experiences of our students, invest in exceptional faculty, and support initiatives that address society’s most pressing challenges. We are grateful for their magnanimous contributions.”

New Applications Reflect the Mission of Spelman College

U.S. News & World Report named Spelman as No. 1 on the list of 2021 Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The college was compared with other HBCUs for the ranking. Schools were graded based on academic quality, graduation rate, faculty resources, and other indicators of success.

Spelman’s success record has attracted high-achieving women from all over the world. Applicants possess an average GPA of 3.8. Individuals who disclosed their SAT scores showed an average score of 1203. The academic caliber of applicants is very impressive. However, the community and leadership engagement stands out even more.

Chelsea Holley currently works as the interim director of admissions at Spelman College. During her review of applications, she noted the remarkable leadership contributions that applicants have already made. In a statement, Holley shared that students have founded Black student organizations at their high schools. They have also advocated for voters’ rights in the last presidential election.

“This applicant pool has been civically engaged, committed to leadership, and dedicated to the very mission of Spelman College,” said Holley.