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Summary
Spelman College is a private institution that was founded in 1881. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,170, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 39 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Spelman College's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 68. Its tuition and fees are $23,794 (2012-13).
Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman College is the oldest historically black college for women in America. Located just five minutes outside of downtown Atlanta, Spelman is part of the Atlanta University Center, the largest consortium of historically black institutions of higher learning in the world. Freshmen admitted into the college are required to live on campus during their first year. There are more than 60 organizations for students to choose from, including Greek life, which constitutes the largest group of students on campus. Known as the Jaguars, Spelman College is a member of the Great South Athletic Conference in the NCAA Division III, and it hosts seven varsity sports teams.
As part of the Atlanta University Center, Spelman partners with Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, and Morehouse School of Medicine. This center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality education for African Americans and other students of diversity. The school’s Women’s Research and Resource Center is the first of its kind on a black college campus devoted to a women’s studies curriculum. Stepping, which is a series of movements involving beats, rhythms, calls, and chants, is performed by the Greek organizations on campus, and step shows are a popular occurrence among the Atlanta University Center colleges. Notable alumni of Spelman include Audrey F. Manley, the former surgeon general of the United States; Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; and Maj. Gen. Marcelite J. Harris, the first African-American female general of the U.S. Air Force.
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Spelman College is a highly selective, historically Black college that prepares women to change the world. The institution's holistic liberal arts education empowers women to excel intellectually, think creatively, serve wholeheartedly, act globally and lead boldly. Providing an educational experience unlike any other, Spelman embraces a long-standing and life-changing commitment to academic rigor, career development, community involvement, and positive social action. The programs of the College are created with the expectation that the community and society at large will benefit from a liberal arts educated student. Spelman College is a member of the Atlanta University Center consortium, and students enjoy access to the resources of the four participating institutions. |
General Information
| School type | private, women's college |
| Year founded | 1881 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | urban |
| 2011 Endowment | $326,928,910 |
Applying
When applying to Spelman College, it's important to note the application deadline is February 1, and the early action deadline and the early decision deadline are November 15 and November 1, respectively. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due May 1. The application fee at Spelman College is $35. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 37.6 percent and an early acceptance rate of 57.6 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 37.6% |
| Application deadline | February 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | May 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Spelman College is 11:1, and the school has 63.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Spelman College include: Social Sciences; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; English Language and Literature/Letters; and Physical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 87.8 percent.
Student Life
Spelman College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,170, with a gender distribution of 0.0 percent male students and 100.0 percent female students. At this school, 61.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 39.0 percent of students live off campus. Spelman College is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 2,170 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
Spelman College offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Spelman College also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Spelman College, 20 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Spelman College.
| Students who have cars on campus | 20% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Spelman College, 92.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $12,190.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $23,794 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $11,541 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
