Trinity College Welcomes Class of 2029 With a 29% Acceptance Rate

Addison Winship ’29

Contributing Writer

On August 28^th, Trinity College welcomed the Class of 2029 at the 202nd annual Convocation and Matriculation Ceremony. This ceremony was the first for the new President Daniel G. Lugo, who reminded the audience that “Matriculation symbolizes the commitment to preserve, to transmit, and to advance knowledge.” 

The 482 new first-year students of the Class of 2029 are “dimensional and diverse”, according to Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Matthew S. Hyde. Over 380 high schools/secondary schools are represented, with Bantams’ hometowns ranging from 9,372 miles away to right here in Hartford. Along with the 482 first-year students, one new Individualized Degree Program student and 23 transfer students were also welcomed at the ceremony, for a total of 506 new Bantams. 

Trinity College had a 20% growth in applications over the last four years, resulting in a gradual decline in acceptance rate. This new class had an acceptance rate of only 29% of the 7,488 first-year applications, compared to the 36% acceptance rate four years prior.  

The key figures who crafted this class student by student provided some valuable insight into the admissions process. In a conversation with the Tripod, Hyde reflected on the importance of admissions interviews which are conducted by senior admissions associates from a given year’s senior class: “We look to senior interviewers for assessments, it informs understanding of who [the students] are and who they could become as a Bantam. Our students are memorable. We care deeply about how students share their voices with us.”

Associate Director of Admissions and Data Analytics Kathryn Henchy described the excitement of seeing the accepted students claim their spot in the new class, stating “I would run a list each morning and see who it was” and “We see this future for you. We imagine you in classrooms.” 

Half of the Class of 2029 was accepted during the early decision application round and the other half from regular decision, varying from the typical 45/55 split. Another notable detail about this class is the size: it is about 50 students smaller than anticipated. Hyde noted that this is due to the yield rate becoming increasingly less predictable, which has been a common pattern among small colleges.  

Of the new Bantams, there are 10 POSSE Scholars, 11 United World College Scholars, 174 recruited athletes, 22 legacy students and 76 students who will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree. Additionally, 78% of students received a financial aid award and 158 were awarded a merit-based scholarship.  

In the words of Hyde at the Convocation and Matriculation Ceremony, “Each and every one of you belongs at Trinity.” The new class will have the ability to connect with one, or two (or in some cases, three) of the 41 majors that Trinity College has to offer, and become a part of their new community as Bantams.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that there are 140 countries represented within the Class of 2029. There were 140 countries represented in the application cycle, not in the class itself.