Life
Applications to Howard University soar to an all-time high
The surge in interest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is evident as Howard University experiences a remarkable influx of applicants for the incoming class of 2028. The university’s esteemed student publication, The Hilltop, conducted an analysis on the recent surge in applications to Howard over the past few years.
In the span of just one year, Howard witnessed a notable 12 percent rise in applications, jumping from 33,000 in 2023 to 37,000 in 2024. The university found itself compelled to adjust its acceptance rate in response to the overwhelming interest, reducing it from 36 percent to approximately 30 to 32 percent, as confirmed by Undergraduate Admissions Officer Andrew Taylor.
While pinpointing a single, definitive cause for the surge in admissions over recent years proves elusive, Assistant Director for Undergraduate Admissions Karina Sanchez suggests that the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris might have played a role. Harris, a proud alumna of Howard University, has actively engaged with multiple HBCUs during her tenure.