FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Rachel Mann
Office of University Communications
Howard University
202.238.2631
rachel.mann@howard.edu
http://www.howard.edu/newsroom/

Howard University Sees Double-Digit Increase in Applications for Class of 2019

WASHINGTON (March 9, 2015)—Howard University today announced that applications have risen dramatically for the 2015-16 academic year, with the University’s overall applicant pool increasing 24% year-over-year. The University has already received 28,466 applications for admission, compared to 22,913 applications this time last year.

The caliber of applicants is also strong. While the average SAT score for African-American students nationwide still hovers around 855, the 75th percentile of accepted Howard freshmen for 2015-16 is 1200, 345 points above the national average.

“A Howard University education is in high demand,” said Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick. “As these numbers demonstrate, our work every day to ensure the University’s curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s marketplace is resonating with prospective students.”

Over the past decade, the University’s five most popular majors are biology, psychology, political science, media/journalism and chemistry. Howard is also a leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, and the National Science Foundation has ranked Howard as the top producer of African-American undergraduates who later earn science and engineering doctoral degrees.

“While there are many factors that may contribute to the University’s increase in applications, the overarching attribute is the University’s strong brand and legacy of producing leaders in virtually all industries,” said Howard University Director of Admission LaTrice A. Byam. “Additionally, as the University prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2017, it remains one of few institutions that has medical, dental, law, pharmacy, social work and divinity schools and still maintains a teaching hospital. This diversity of our undergraduate and graduate programs clearly sets us apart from peer intuitions.”

Students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have applied and been admitted. There are also 32 nations represented in the accepted student pool, with the highest applicant-to-accept yields from Nepal, Jamaica, Nigeria, Trinidad &Tobago and Canada. There are also a large number of applicants from Burkina Faso.

The University’s deadline for freshmen to accept offers of admission to the Class of 2019 is May 1, 2015.

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ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University’s Web site at www.howard.edu. more info…