Record Number of
Fall Applications
Class of 2010
SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY received more
applications — 2,112 — for 2006–07 than
for any other academic year in SPU’s history.
This follows a previous record-setting year for
applications in 2005–06. “It’s a trend that says
a lot about the University’s vision for engagement
in the world,” says Director of Admissions
Jobe Nice. “Students are hearing about it
and wanting to plug in.”
In Autumn 2006, Seattle Pacific lowered
its admit rate 5 percent in one year to 80 percent,
an indicator that points to expanding
demand and the rising caliber of students.
Overall enrollment for Autumn Quarter is at
capacity with 3,830 students, including 2,979
undergraduate students, 57 post-baccalaureate
students, and 794 graduate students.
The incoming class of 622 freshmen and
246 transfers brought with them high SAT
score averages and GPA averages (1163 and
3.62 respectively), and Nice says he expects
big things from the Class of 2010. “They’re a
well-rounded group,” he notes. “It’s impressive
to see their involvement in classes, churches,
and communities — in everything from the
arts to journalism to volunteerism to athletics.
It’s definitely a class that loves to engage.”
SPU saw its ethnically diverse population
grow to 13.5 percent in 2006, up from 11.6
percent in 2005. Nine new Ames Scholars
— incoming ethnic minority students recognized
with scholarships for their academic
achievement and leadership potential — were
honored at a special President’s Reception on
September 21. They hail from as close as Federal
Way, Washington, and from as far as
Eritrea, and their majors vary from biology to
the classics. Some of the Ames Scholars were
active in high school government; one played
varsity tennis; and another plans on becoming
a family practitioner and working with
mission organizations such as “Doctors Without
Borders.”
Among the new students this fall are also
10 SPU Scholars. Now in its second year, this
full-tuition program helps to bring highly talented
students to Seattle Pacific, top scholars
who were also admitted to institutions such
as Stanford and MIT. “These students were
already changing their campuses and communities
while in high school,” says Nice. “They
are fantastic contributors we expect to take
the vision of SPU into the culture at large and
really make a difference.”
One such student is Alex Binz from South
Seattle, who, at age 16, is one of the University’s
youngest-ever freshmen. This past summer,
he attended a seminar at Acton University
focusing on the integration of Christian theology
and sound economics. Then in July, he
presented his independent economics research
at the Western Economic Association International
Conference in San Diego, California,
alongside SPU Associate Professors of Economics
Doug Downing and Jon Deming.
Reflecting on the promising mix of students
at Seattle Pacific, Nice concludes,
“It goes beyond the numbers. It’s about who
these students are as people — and these are
some great people.”
Back to the top
Back to Home
|
