Admissions
August 27, 2015
University of Portland welcomed the Class of 2019 as freshmen moved into the dorms Thursday, August 27. It is among the largest, most diverse and academically gifted classes in school history.“The University of Portland’s reputation continues to get stronger and stronger,” said dean of admissions Jason McDonald. “More applicants have allowed us to be more selective, and we’ve seen our academic profile and geographical diversity increase.”
At approximately 945 students, the new freshmen class is the second-largest in University history.
Continuing a trend over the past decade, the University saw an increase in the number of students applying for admission with more than 11,198 completed applications – a new school record – topping last year’s record of 11,079.
The UP Class of 2019 is also highly academically accomplished, with an approximate average SAT score of 1197 and average high school GPA of 3.66.
The Class of 2019 is diverse in geography, with 76 percent of the class coming from out of state. More than half of the class hails from the Pacific Northwest, as well as 25 percent from California and 8 percent from Hawaii. It is also ethnically diverse, with 36 percent of the class identifying as minority.
The students were on campus all weekend preparing for the 2015-16 academic year to commence Monday, August 31. Official enrollment figures will be confirmed two weeks into the academic year.
University of Portland today
The incoming class will be the second under the leadership of Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., who began his tenure as University of Portland’s 20th president in July 2014.
The University’s commitment to providing an excellent education experience was highlighted in 2014 with the conclusion of a fund-raising campaign that raised nearly $182 million, making it one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.
The Class of 2019 will be taking advantage of small class settings (13:1 student-faculty ratio) and award-winning faculty and enjoy ten new or renovated campus facilities, including the new Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center, named in recognition of the University’s 19th president Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C. Other new and renovated facilities include a completely renovated Clark Library (completed in August 2013), a state-of-the-art engineering hall (Shiley Hall, dedicated in 2009), two new dormitories (Fields and Schoenfeldt Halls, dedicated in 2009), a remodeled and vastly expanded dining facility (Bauccio Commons, dedicated in 2010), a new bell tower (dedicated in 2009), a renovated science building (Romanaggi Hall, dedicated in 2010), an expanded and renovated multipurpose athletic facility (Chiles Center, dedicated in 2012), and an upgraded Joe Etzel Field (dedicated in 2015).
The University also began construction of a new residence hall with room for approximately 270 students and to be located on the UP campus adjacent to the newly constructed Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center. The University aims to complete the project prior to the start of the 2016-17 academic year. Also, renovations on the redesigned Pilot House will be completed this fall and open in the evenings for activities including music, comedy, Pilots After Dark, and other entertainment.
In addition to campus improvements, the University has also increased scholarships, endowed chairs and professorships, faculty research opportunities, and campus ministry, and established the established the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation and Applied Ethics, which includes the Character Project and the Dundon-Berchtold Fellowships for students and faculty to explore ethics-related issues.
The University of Portland’s commitment to its mission of teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership has been successfully proved through its graduates – the University has been a national leader among peer institutions for the number of alumni earning Fulbright scholarships for several consecutive years (Chronicle of Higher Education).
For the 20th consecutive year, the University earned a Top-10 ranking by U.S. News & World Report in its annual lists of best colleges. In 2011, Washington Monthly ranked the University of Portland fifth nationally among 551 master’s universities based on its “contribution to the public good.”
For the fifth consecutive year, University of Portland was the top Oregon school in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance annual ranking of best values in private colleges and universities. University of Portland was also ranked 65th nationwide among all private colleges and universities.
For two consecutive years, Bloomberg Businessweek named University of Portland the top school in Oregon for “return on investment.” In a state-by-state ranking of schools providing graduates with the most return for the price of their education, University of Portland came out on top among all colleges and universities in Oregon.
University of Portland is Oregon’s only comprehensive university with schools of business, education, engineering, nursing, a College of Arts and Sciences and a graduate school. The University offers a rich resource for the community through educational opportunities, research, experts, in addition to a host of community offerings such as athletic events, cultural events, speakers and lectures.
UP students and alumni are resources for research, internships, and full-time employment. More than half of University of Portland’s 37,000 alumni reside in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. To learn more about why University students and alumni make excellent employees, visit Career Services at www.up.edu/career.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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