Kalamazoo College

James Stone , former president of Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo College was founded in 1833 by a group of Baptist ministers as the Michigan and Huron Institute. Its charter was granted on April 22, 1833, the first school chartered by the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan. [ 2 ] Instruction at the Institute began in fall 1836. In 1837, the name of the fledgling college was changed to the Kalamazoo Literary Institute and school officials made their first attempt to secure recognition as a college from the state of Michigan. [ 3 ] In 1838, however, the University of Michigan opened the Kalamazoo Branch of the University of Michigan, providing a local competitor to the Literary Institute. [ 4 ] In 1840, the two schools merged, and from 1840 to 1850, the college operated as the Kalamazoo Branch of the University of Michigan. [ 5 ] In 1850, the Kalamazoo Literary Institute name was restored and in 1855 the school finally received an educational charter from the State of Michigan; it was now officially a college. [ 6 ] The school changed its name to Kalamazoo College. James Stone , the first president of Kalamazoo College, led the school from 1842 through 1863 and was responsible for instituting the high academic standards that allowed the college to receive its charter. Shortly after becoming president, Stone proposed the addition of a theological seminary to increase the supply of ministers in the region. [ 7 ] With the support of the Baptist church, classes at the Kalamazoo Theological Seminary began in 1848 with 11 students. [ 8 ] At the same time, the Female Department continued to expand under the watchful eye of Lucinda Hinsdale Stone . [ 6 ] In 1845–46, almost half of the 90 students enrolled in Kalamazoo were women. [ 9 ] Kalamazoo College also served as a pioneer in coed education , granting its first degree to a woman, Catherine V. Eldred, in 1870.

[ 10 ] Brown Hall and dormitory in 1906 In 1877, Kalamazoo College students published the first edition of The Index , a student-run newspaper that continues to publish today. The college also publishes The Cauldron , an annual literary-arts journal, and The Passage , an annual compilation of students' work from study abroad. Kalamazoo College's reputation was built during the presidency of Weimer Hicks , who served from 1954 to 1971. [ 5 ] Hicks conceived of the "K Plan" program under which most Kalamazoo students spend at least one term abroad and spend at least one term working in an academic internship. On January 3, 2006, Kalamazoo College opened the new Upjohn Library Commons which includes the completely renovated skeleton of the older library, and an extension which adds to its volume capacity. A marker designating the college as a Michigan Historic Site was erected in 1983 by the Michigan History Division, Department of State . [ 11 ] The inscription reads: The first classroom building for the Michigan and Huron Institute, now Kalamazoo College, was erected on this site between June and September of 1836. The charter bill for the school had been introduced in the Michigan Territorial Legislative Council on January 18, 1833, and signed into law by Governor George B. Porter on April 22, 1833. Village pledges supplied funds for the two-story frame classroom structure, which was the start of Michigan’s first church-related college.

Admissions Quick facts Admissions statistics, Admit rate ... Admissions statistics 2020 entering class [ 12 ] Change vs. 2015 Admit rate 74.3 ( +2.7) Yield rate 14.9 ( −5.9) Test scores middle 50% [i] SAT Total 1150-1360 (among 44% of FTFs ) ACT Composite 25-30 (among 20% of FTFs ) Among students who chose to submit Close Kalamazoo is considered "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report . [ 13 ] For the Class of 2024 (enrolled fall 2020), Kalamazoo received 3,456 applications and accepted 2,569 (74.3%). Of those accepted, 384 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 14.9%. Kalamazoo's freshman retention rate is 83%, with 79% going on to graduate within six years. [ 12 ] Of the 44% of enrolled freshmen in 2020 who submitted SAT scores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1150–1360. Of the 20% of the incoming freshman class who submitted ACT scores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 25 and 30. [ 12 ] Together with Michigan State University , Michigan Technological University , Wayne State University , Hillsdale College , Calvin University , and Hope College , Kalamazoo College is one of the seven college-sponsors of the National Merit Scholarship Program in the state. The college sponsored 2 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 2 first-year students were National Merit Scholars . [ 14 ] More information Applicants, Admits ...

Fall First-Time Freshman Statistics [ 12 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Applicants 3,456 3,576 3,371 3,434 3,626 2,455 Admits 2,569 2,716 2,454 2,520 2,381 1,759 Admit rate 74.3 76.0 72.8 73.4 65.7 71.6 Enrolled 384 395 408 449 348 365 Yield rate 14.9 14.5 16.6 17.8 14.6 20.8 ACT composite* (out of 36) 25-30 (20% † ) 25-31 (25% † ) 24-31 (27% † ) 26-30 (42% † ) 26-30 (60% † ) 26-30 (84% † ) SAT composite* (out of 1600) 1150-1360 (44% † ) 1170-1370 (53% † ) 1140-1370 (40% † ) 1180-1380 (39% † ) — — * middle 50% range † percentage of first-time freshmen who chose to submit Close