Columbia University: Class of 2029 — A Year of Change, Challenge, and Possibility
Maybe you’ve always imagined yourself at Columbia — walking through Morningside Heights, hearing the city pulse below, and climbing the steps to Low Library as the skyline stretches beyond campus. For many students, Columbia represents that blend of intellectual energy and New York rhythm that feels both ambitious and alive. Yet the Columbia you dream of is also evolving. Over the past few years, the university has been reshaping how it defines excellence, fairness, and access — all while remaining one of the most selective schools in the world.
A University in Transition
Columbia has undergone more change in recent years than most universities see in a decade. In 2022, it stepped away from national rankings after questioning how accurately they measured academic quality. Then, in 2023, the Supreme Court’s ruling on race-based admissions brought new federal oversight to universities nationwide. Columbia’s process came under review, and by 2025, the school reached an agreement restoring its federal funding in exchange for greater transparency in admissions.
Columbia’s response has been equal parts reform and reinvention. It rebuilt trust through transparency, reinvested in student support systems, and reinforced its commitment to accessibility through expanded enrollment and record-level aid. Rather than retreat, Columbia turned scrutiny into an opportunity to redefine what inclusion and excellence mean in the Ivy League today.
Early Decision Deadline: November 1
Regular Decision Deadline: January 1
Class of 2029 Statistics
Columbia no longer shares all of its admissions data, but the figures released this year reveal key insights into its evolving admissions strategy.
Early Decision Applicants: 5,872
Early Decision Acceptances: Not public
Early Decision Acceptance Rate: Not public
Regular Decision Applicants: Approximately 53,700
Regular Decision Acceptances: Not public
Regular Decision Acceptance Rate: Not public
Overall Applicants: 59,616
Overall Acceptances: 2,946
Overall Acceptance Rate: 4.9%
In this year’s cycle, the 4.9% acceptance rate marks a slight increase from 3.86% for the Class of 2028, reflecting Columbia’s decision to expand enrollment after several years of smaller incoming classes. A total of 1,806 first-year students joined Columbia College and Columbia Engineering — the largest cohort in school history.
What This Year’s Numbers Mean for You
If you’re applying to Columbia, this year’s numbers tell a story beyond percentages. The slightly higher admit rate doesn’t signal an easier process — it reflects a university widening its reach while raising its standards. Admissions officers are looking for students who think deeply, act with purpose, and turn ideas into results. What stands out today isn’t the length of your résumé but the substance of it — measurable accomplishments that show follow-through, initiative, and growth. As one expert told Tatler Asia in April 2025, top universities aren’t looking for students who try to do everything; they’re drawn to those who do a few things exceptionally well and can articulate why those pursuits matter. Essays play a major role in this process, revealing how you think and how you’ve turned challenges into insight. Even in a test-optional era, strong scores can strengthen your academic story, while recommendations and genuine engagement still carry weight. In a process this selective, specificity becomes strategy — the students who stand out are those who connect their experiences to purpose, showing not just what they’ve done, but who they’re becoming.
At Ivy Link, we help students build applications that show both substance and direction — the qualities that truly stand out at a place like Columbia. Led by our founder, Adam Nguyen, a Columbia graduate and former admissions reader, our team works with students as early as ninth grade to plan ahead, sharpen their goals, and present their achievements with purpose.
Our approach is analytical and honest: no shortcuts, no formula, just strategy built on experience. If Columbia is on your horizon, we’ll help you approach the application process with clarity, depth, and confidence. Get in touch with us today to learn more!
