Admissions
September 12, 2016
The University of Portland welcomed the Class of 2020 as freshmen moved into the dorms on Thursday, August 25. 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,” says dean of admissions Jason McDonald. “We continue to get a record number of completed applications each year, which allows us to shape our class to increase diversity, academic quality, and geographical representation.”
At approximately 965 students, the new freshman class is the second-largest in University history. In 2015, the incoming freshman class totaled 945 students.
Continuing a trend over the past decade, the University saw an increase in the number of students applying for admission, with more than 11,900 completed applications—a UP record, up 7 percent—topping last year’s record of 11,198.
The UP Class of 2020 is also highly academically accomplished, with an approximate average SAT score of 1192 (5th highest in UP history) and average high school GPA of 3.65.
The Class of 2019 is diverse in geography, with 76 percent of the class coming from out of state. Nearly half of the class hails from the Pacific Northwest, with 24 percent from Oregon and 24 percent from Washington, as well as 28 percent from California and 9 percent from Hawaii. This year 26 students hail from the island of Guam, a record number. It is also ethnically diverse, with 40 percent of the class identifying as minority—the second highest in UP history. The class is 61 percent female and 39 percent male. Official enrollment figures will be confirmed two weeks into the academic year.
The students were on campus all weekend preparing for the 2016-17 academic year to commence on Monday, August 29. A group of 150 UP students, including 120 freshmen and first-year students, took part in the Moreau Center’s annual Service Plunge on August 23-24, performing service at local schools, parks, and nonprofit organizations.
University of Portland today
The Class of 2020 will be taking advantage of small class settings (14:1 student-faculty ratio) and award-winning faculty, including 2015 Carnegie Foundation and CASE Oregon Professor of the Year Laura McLary. They will also enjoy 11 new or recently renovated campus facilities, including Lund Family Hall, the University’s newest residence hall, with room for approximately 270 students. Other facilities include the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center, named in recognition of the University’s 19th president Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.; the Clark Library (renovations 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 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 21st 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 sixth 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
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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