Welcome to the Hill, Class of 2026!

Over 550 first-year and transfer students became part of the McDaniel College community during move-in and orientation events for the Class of 2026.

Bell Ringing McDaniel26 — In a time-honored tradition, members of the Class of 2026 rang the Old Main bell in Memorial Plaza to “ring in” their time at McDaniel.

Over 550 first-year and transfer students became part of the McDaniel College community during move-in and orientation events for the Class of 2026.

Facts about the Class of 2026

• Over 550 first-year and transfer students

• Over 5,000 applications received

• 21 states represented, including Maryland, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico
-Other states are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia

• 10 countries represented:
-Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, United States

• 40 percent are first-generation college students

• 49 percent students of color

• 27 percent are participating in Athletics

• 39 percent are involved in community service

• 21 percent are legacy students with at least one parent being a graduate of the college

• 22 percent are actors and musicians

• 39 percent worked outside of school

• Most popular names: Benjamin, Christian, Emily, James, Joshua, Madeline and Taylor