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### About Spelman College Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a leading liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, the College’s picturesque campus is home to 2,300 students.
Founding. Harriet E. Giles and Sophia B. Packard founded Spelman College. The Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary was established on 11 April, 1881 in the basement of Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, by two teachers from the Oread Institute of Worcester, Massachusetts: Harriet E. Giles and Sophia B. Packard.
Spelman College, a historically Black college and a global leader in the education of women of African descent, is dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and the intellectual, creative, ethical, and leadership development of its students.
Making the Most of Your College Tour. Visits do not include an information session. Guests are strongly encouraged to register for a virtual information session prior to visiting campus for an opportunity to hear from an admissions counselor about Spelman’s application and admissions process.
Spelman College offers a wide array of majors and many more avenues of study through our partner institutions in the Atlanta University Center, the 20 Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, and national and international partnerships.
Admission to Spelman College is highly competitive. In addition to academic credentials, we consider leadership experiences, extracurricular involvement, community service, employment, personal interests and abilities.
Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman College is the oldest historically Black college for women in America.
How to Submit an Application. The admissions application for Fall 2025 will open on August 1, 2024. Test Optional Policy: Spelman College will suspend the standardized testing requirement for students applying for the class of 2028.
1881. Founded as Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles. School opens April 11 in the basement of Friendship Baptist Church, the Rev. Frank Quarles, pastor. 1882. Two more teachers commissioned by the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society join Packard and Giles in "basement school."
Learn more about studying at Spelman College including how it performs in QS rankings, the cost of tuition and further course information.
