Frequently Asked Questions

The Early Action deadline is December 1. If you meet that deadline with all submitted documents, you will receive an admissions decision within four weeks. You may also apply by our Regular Decision deadline of February 15 (see application checklist). We have a June 1 Late Decision deadline on a space available basis.

*Nursing applicants have a February 15 final application deadline

University of Portland will accept both SAT and ACT scores. For applicants applying through Fall 2026, UP will be test-optional.

Based on the 2024-2025 first-year class, the middle 50% for the SAT was a score of 1168 to 1370 and a middle 50% ACT composite score of 25 to 31. We will superscore all SAT tests and take the highest composite ACT score.

There are three ways to submit your test scores for the purpose of admission. Record self reported scores on your application, download the score report (PDF) through your CollegeBoard/ACT account and send to admission_documents@up.edu, or have the testing agency submit your scores for you (our ACT code is 3500 and our SAT code is 4847).

*If self reported scores are used for admission purposes, you are required to submit official test scores if you decide to attend University of Portland.

First-Year applicants must submit the following for admission consideration:

• Application
• Official high school transcript(s)
• SAT or ACT scores (optional for applicants through Fall 2026)
• One letter of recommendation (from a high school counselor OR teacher)
• Essay

Transfer non-nursing applicants must submit the following for admission consideration:

• Application
• Official college transcripts from each college attended
• If the applicant has earned fewer than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in college:
  • Official final high school transcript
  • SAT or ACT test scores (optional)

Transfer nursing applicants: Review your application checklist on the School of Nursing pages.

International Students: Review your first-year application checklist or transfer application checklist on the International Student pages.

There is no application fee for new First-Year and Transfer students applying for entry terms through Fall 2026.

An interview is not required for undergraduate admission. An essay and one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor are required for first-year applicants.

For confirmed students who opted to use their scores as part of the application review process, we will need a copy of your official SAT or ACT scores. You can submit your official scores for free by following these instructions: download the score report (PDF) through your CollegeBoard/ACT account and send to admission_documents@up.edu.

The first-year class for the 2024-2025 year entered with a middle 50% SAT score of 1168 to 1370, middle 50% ACT composite score of 25 to 31, and an average GPA of 3.69 (cumulative and unweighted.)

Complete the application criteria like any other applicant: an application, an official transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores (optional for applicants through Fall 2026), and a letter of recommendation. For a homeschool transcript to be considered official, it must list each individual course taken throughout your high school program (up through your application submission), it must provide a letter grade (A – F) or percentage grade for each completed course (including those taken at a high school or community college) and it must be signed and dated by the primary educator. The letter of recommendation for a homeschool student must come from a non-related adult with whom the student has had significant interaction (teacher, coaches, clergy, scout and other youth leaders, employers, etc.).

A minimum of 16 units in academic subjects is necessary for admission. Course work in the following areas is suggested:

English Composition - 4 years
Mathematics - 3-4 years
Laboratory Science - 3-4 years
Social Sciences/History - 3-4 years
International Language - 2-4 years

First-year applicants interested in nursing must 1) complete a high school or college level general chemistry course prior to beginning the program, and 2) declare nursing as their intended major on the application.

Application: You may apply to University of Portland using either the Common App or UP application on our website. More information about answers to specific application questions can be found through our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Scholarships and financial assistance: All accepted students are evaluated for merit based scholarships, no additional application is needed. If you are accepted, you will work directly with the Office of Financial Aid to determine eligibility for different types of financial assistance.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has an anticipated opening date of October 1. The FAFSA will look at your prior-prior year taxes (PPY), meaning you will fill out the FAFSA with tax information from two years ago.

The FAFSA code for University of Portland is: 003224.

To find out more, visit the Office of Financial Aid FAQ page.

Students on the waitlist have been neither accepted nor denied. University of Portland’s Office of Admissions places students on the waitlist for one of two reasons:

• The student has potential for success at UP, but the Office of Admissions has concerns with the applicant’s academic record.
• The Office of Admissions believes the student to be academically qualified. However, due to the timing of the application review, there is limited space available in the future class.

Students who have continued interest in admission and want to secure a place on the waitlist can login to their applicant status portal and fill out the Waitlist Reply Form on their checklist (https://admissions.up.edu/apply/status). If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions directly at 503.943.7147 or admissions@up.edu.

No, University of Portland does not rank students on the waitlist. The Office of Admissions will re-evaluate the applications of those who have secured their places on the waitlist should space become available.

Yes, waitlisted students and their families are welcome to visit campus.

Yes, students admitted from the waitlist will be considered for scholarships. Additionally, those who filed a FAFSA will be considered for financial aid. Campus housing is guaranteed for all new, first-year students.

The Office of Admissions will consider admitting students from the waitlist in mid April or early May.

Students who have continued interest in admission and want to secure a place on the waitlist can login to their applicant status portal and fill out the Waitlist Reply Form on their checklist (https://admissions.up.edu/apply/status).

Visit the Career Center site to see their resources and find out what recent Pilot grads are up to!

UP graduates take part in a variety of post-graduate volunteer programs. The Moreau Center for Service and Leadership can help you connect you with various volunteer opportunities.

Yes! The Office of Alumni Relations keeps Pilot alumni connected through regional alumni chapters, the alumni book club, reunions, and much more.

In compliance with the Clery Act and the amended Higher Education Opportunity Act, University of Portland’s Annual Crime and Fire Report was published and made available to all members of the University community, and to prospective students and employees.

University of Portland seeks to create a community that is educated in its approach to safety by providing an annual security and fire report detailing all relevant safety and security policies and publishing crime and policy-violation statistics for the last three calendar years. The Annual Crime and Fire Report is available on the Campus Safety website.

A paper copy is available upon request by contacting Campus Safety at 503.943.7161.

UP will no longer require, but strongly recommends, students, faculty, and staff be fully vaccinated.