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On her first visit to campus, New York City native Ekaterina Balsan ’25 began to imagine her life as a student at ������Ƶ.

“Nearly every student mentioned going to office hours, studying abroad, working on an independent project, or professional experience” says Balsan. “������Ƶ students radiated an energy of creativity and curiosity, with a drive to learn — I want to be a part of that community.”

Balsan was one of 17,540 students, from 50 states and 146 countries, who applied for admission to the ������Ƶ Class of 2025 — a record-breaking 104% increase over last year. Now, she is one of 913 students enrolled in the class, which has an average GPA of 3.77 out of 4.0, up from 3.69 in 2020.

It’s the most selective class to date, with a 17% acceptance rate, 14% first-generation students, 25% domestic students of color, and 41% receiving ������Ƶ financial aid.

Azana Dickens ’25, of Riverdale, Ga., is one of 15 students in ������Ƶ’s first cohort of QuestBridge scholars, who come from 13 states and three countries. Nine of the 15 are first-generation college students, and, as a group, they have an average GPA of 3.93. All 15 QuestBridge Scholars are receiving a full scholarship to attend ������Ƶ.

“What attracted me to ������Ƶ was not only the beautiful campus but also the class size and how intimate it seemed,” says Dickens. “������Ƶ is giving me a chance to experience what life looks like outside of my community and appreciate different cultures and backgrounds. I’m excited for all the conversations, because I am ready for a different perspective.”

The international student population makes up 10% of the class with 32 citizenships represented — another record-breaking statistic for the class.

Among the enrolled international students is Macdonald Chirara ’25 from Zimbabwe. “At ������Ƶ, I look forward to creating strong friendships with my peers and collaborating on projects and research with professors,” says Chirara. “I look forward to taking courses across all disciplines — natural science, social science, humanities, and the interdisciplinary core classes. I believe that, at ������Ƶ, I will be able to push my limits, redefine my limits, and become a better person.”

Dean of Admission Tara Bubble applauds this dynamic new class.

“We are delighted to welcome a truly outstanding class of new students, who have demonstrated their academic excellence and strength of character,” says Bubble. “The admission holistic review process facilitates the selection of students who will succeed at ������Ƶ. In learning about these students, it’s clear they will bring their impressive academic talent and individuality to this University. We cannot wait for them to arrive on campus this fall and witness their accomplishments during the next four years.”