Colby College is a privately owned liberal arts academic institution offering 30 minors and 54 majors. Upon its founding in 1813, its first name was Maine Literary and Theological Institution. Then, before becoming Colby College, its other names were Waterville College and Colby University. The institution got its name from its benefactor, Christian philanthropist Gardner Colby. In this article, we will be looking at the acceptance rate at Colby College.
The school sits in a 714-acre property in central Maine overlooking the Kennebec River Valley and downtown Waterville. The Baptists established the Maine Literary and Theological Institution on February 27, 1813. Then, the school moved to Waterville on a donated land of 179 acres. Due to the separation of Massachusetts and Maine in 1820, the Maine legislature provided the academic institution from denying student admission because of religion. Also, it barred the college from using a religious test in choosing its board members. Moreover, the legislature barred its trustees from granting degrees.
Thus, on February 15, 1821, the institution changed its name to Waterville College. After four years, it discontinued its theological department. After the Civil War, Baptist philanthropist Gardner Colby donated $50,000 to the college. The school changed its name in his honor. In 1871, Colby University started accepting female students. In 1899, Colby president Nathaniel Butler Jr. renamed the academic institution Colby College. On April 12, 1931, Waterville citizens and the college raised at least $100,000 to purchase the 600-acre property on Mayflower Hill to provide more space for its students.
Each student can decide on an independent study, participate in international learning and internship programs, and elect majors. Colby’s most prominent courses are economics, government, and biology, and focus on project-based learning. Service-learning and volunteer programs allow the students to engage with the neighboring community.
Aside from the two semesters per academic year, Colby offers a January term where students can complete an internship outside of the campus, conduct independent research, or enroll in an intensive course.
At least 60% of Colby students study outside the campus before graduation. They can earn credits from at least 200 programs in at least 60 countries. If you are interested, you should definitely apply to Colby College; however, the acceptance rate at Colby College is pretty low.
Additionally, Colby permits its students to study and earn college units at the International Center for French Studies; the St. Petersburg Classical Gymnasium; the University of Salamanca; and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Also, it collaborates with the Thayer School of Engineering and the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science for its dual-degree programs.
The 714-acre campus has various buildings in Georgian Revival design with its newest building completed in 2014. The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement organizes and awards the yearly Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award since 1952. Also, it promotes the Colby Cares about Kids and the Colby Volunteer Center as part of the college’s civic engagement programs.
Acceptance Rate at Colby College
The 2019 US News ranks Colby as top 18 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category. The acceptance rate is 16% with applicants whose SAT scores range from 1340-1500 or ACT scores from 31-33 having the highest chance of success. The college offers an opportunity for students to explore, engage, and discover.
We hope that this article on Colby College acceptance rate was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
