Columbia University has announced a record-breaking admission of freshmen, welcoming 1,806 students in its largest-ever freshman class. This represents a 20% increase over the previous year, according to university figures released recently. The surge comes amid concerns over political turmoil and visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration that threatened to reduce international enrolment.Despite fears that visa difficulties and campus unrest would discourage applicants, Columbia’s commitment numbers largely held firm. An official, who requested anonymity due to the confidential admissions process, noted that the university accepted more students from its waiting list than in recent years to meet enrolment goals.Internal adjustments allow for larger freshman intakeColumbia admitted 2,946 applicants this year, more than 600 over last year, with a yield rate of just over 61%, slightly down from 64% previously. The new class remains consistent with last year’s proportion of international students, who make up around 40% of the student body.To accommodate the increased number of students, Columbia’s acting president Claire Shipman explained in a letter to the incoming class that the university would add instructors, optimise classroom space, hire more advisers, and expand dining options. Shipman said, as reported by the university, “Even in the face of uncertainty across higher education, we had an applicant pool filled with bright and engaged young minds, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to invite more of them into our community.”The university’s decision to tap its waiting list extensively was a direct response to anticipated challenges caused by the Trump administration’s policies, which created uncertainty around international student visas and campus stability.Trump administration’s crackdown on visas and fundingThe Trump administration launched a broad crackdown on US universities, freezing billions of dollars in federal research funding and imposing stricter visa requirements on foreign students. Columbia, along with other Ivy League institutions, was accused of mishandling antisemitic incidents and faced criticism over diversity programmes and alleged liberal bias.In July, Columbia agreed to a $221 million settlement with the US government, restoring $400 million in suspended research funding. The settlement included requirements to share demographic admissions data, install an independent monitor, and reduce the university’s financial reliance on international students.Visa processing for international students was paused by the US State Department in late May, shortly after many colleges’ commitment deadlines. Processing resumed mid-June with more stringent vetting and increased social media scrutiny, but ongoing visa issues continued to affect many universities.Impact on international student numbers and enrolment strategiesInternational student arrivals in the US dropped almost 30% in July compared to the previous year, with arrivals from India—a major source of international students—falling 46%, according to International Trade Administration data.Faced with these declines, Columbia and other prominent institutions increased their admit rates and used waiting lists to maintain enrolment levels. James Murphy of Education Reform Now, a think tank, stated, as reported by the relevant source, “All colleges that are competitive are going to increase their admit rates this year because yield is going to be a bigger concern than ever. They’re going to be hedging their bets, not just on international students but on the mountain of uncertainty created by the Trump administration.”Columbia’s admissions figures at a glance
Columbia’s record freshman class demonstrates resilience amid political and visa challenges, enabled by strategic adjustments to admissions and campus resources. The university continues to monitor the evolving landscape of higher education under the Trump administration’s policies.
