For membership in the Fall 2023 incoming class, neighboring George Washington University had just over 27,000 applications. For fall 2024, Georgetown University received just over 26,000 applications. By contrast, for fall 2024, Howard received 36,393 applications, a historic record, up 79 percent since Fall 2022.
The 12 percent year-over-year increase in applications led to new student enrollment this fall of approximately 2,796, up 23 percent over last year. Overall, at a time when national colleges and universities as a whole have experienced declining enrollment this decade, many HBCUs are seeing robust growth.
Like many Howard students, Miss Freshman Renee Larbi came to Howard to build connections among the diversity of students from all over the world who have come to “the Mecca.” Larbi is from London, England by way of Seattle.
“The experience of looking at somebody else and knowing that we’ve shared the same experiences in life is a great connection factor and it helps me feel more comfortable to just be myself and not hinder my personality just to fit in with somebody else,” Larbi said.
Article ID: 2256