Why U.S. News ranked Willamette among top ten "Up-and-Coming Schools"

Colleges and Universities A-Z Willamette University
1

<p>U.S. News & World Report identified Willamette as one of the top ten “Up and Coming Schools in the United States”. The percent of applicants admitted to the school has fallen from around 66% to 42% in the past several years. During the same period, the academic qualifications of admitted students have been rising: </p>

<p>Data for admitted students:
2002- Average GPA = 3.59
Average ACT = 27</p>

<p>2005- Average GPA = 3.67
Average ACT = 27</p>

<p>2010- Average GPA = 3.79
Average ACT = 28</p>

<p>Princeton Review designated Willamette a “Best Value School,” again this year. In 2009, Willamette gave merit aid to 87% of admitted students, and the average award was $13,072 per year, renewable over a four-year period. See this thread, which lists schools that offer good merit packages to non-need students: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Sources: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm;%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm;&lt;/a> <a href="http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/libarts-uc-rank;%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/libarts-uc-rank;&lt;/a> <a href="http://www.willamette.edu/dept/ir/cds/index.html;%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.willamette.edu/dept/ir/cds/index.html;&lt;/a> Willamette</a> University | Willamette welcomes class of 2014</p>

<p>Our son chose Willamette over several University of California campuses and a handful of schools back east, including Emory University. He and a friend rode the train up from California to the Willamette campus, and so far, they say they're having a wonderful time. I think this school, along with others in the Pacific Northwest, is definitely worth a look, especially given the budget problems currently facing the UC system.</p>

2

<p>Thanks! Still on MY list, if not sons!</p>

3

<p>Our son is also a first year student at Willamette and, so far, loves it. He chose Willamette over some UC’s, U of Colorado, U of Denver, and other strong schools. My husband and I (who both attended UC’s) are very pleased with his choice. We visited the school and were really impressed with the students, faculty and campus. It’s definitely worth a look!</p>

4

<p>Yippee! Son got a “priority app” with “no new essay”.!</p>

5

<p>My daughter also received the priority app. </p>

<p>How do they select people for it? I assume they are not sending it to all NMSF - all 16K. Because they already have her name? Or? </p>

<p>She will be submitting tomorrow.</p>