University Draws Record 10,100+ Freshman Applications
As application deadlines approach, Duquesne University has brought in a record-number of more than 10,100 freshman applicants.
“After careful review and selection by the admissions committee, the 8,400 admitted freshmen and 230 transfer students are the kind of hard-working, intellectually curious, ambitious and caring young people who look forward to learning with dedicated faculty in state-of-the-art facilities,” said Joel Bauman, senior vice president for enrollment management.
Nearly 40% of the class of 2025 is from outside of Pennsylvania and represents 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as well 60 countries including Rwanda, Brazil, India and China. The average GPA is 3.8, while the average test score of those who submitted scores is 1216 SAT and 27 ACT. Sixty-one percent of the class was able to be included in the test optional review process introduced in response to the COVID19 restrictions on testing.
These future Duquesne difference-makers include:
- 22 College Board National Hispanic Recognition Scholars
- A leukemia survivor who founded the Cancer Stinks Children’s Foundation as a 2nd grader and is founding president of his high school’s Best Buddies chapter
- A Junior ROTC member who is a Cadet of the Year awardee
- A volunteer who reads to children at the local hospital who have been diagnosed with chronic illness
- A student leader who helps local organizations and businesses through his own social media and website building agency.
In addition, scores of applicants are in National Honor Society, play varsity sports, serve on their student government and volunteer at their church, local food bank and local polling place.
“We have a long record of attracting high-achieving students who care as much about community engagement as they do about academic accomplishments, as much about excelling at improving the life of others as about excellence in the life of the mind,” said Bauman. “This is, of course, a part of our mission at Duquesne and speaks to the work we do with our neighbors, the historically underserved, and the burgeoning business and health care innovation hubs in our downtown setting.”
Bauman credits this as one of the reasons Duquesne regularly attracts students from every state and numerous countries.
“Students appreciate future-focused programs and individualized experiential learning, and they recognize and want to be a part of our community work. And, they’re willing to put in the time and work to affect real change,” he said.
Bauman acknowledged challenges added because of the pandemic.
“While always an exciting time of year for families when choosing a college, it is obviously more complicated this year,” he said. “We are blessed to have such dedicated and enthusiastic faculty and staff who are genuinely passionate about and who truly enjoy helping every student in their personal and professional development and wellbeing. This success is why families are delighted to make Duquesne their first choice.
“Families and our new students are confident and comforted in their decision to enroll at Duquesne because they recognize the commitment of our community and because of the student experience they know they’ll find here. They hear via word-of-mouth from our loyal alumni and current students about what they’ve experienced in their journeys at Duquesne and the persons that they have become,” Bauman said. “Let us all delight in welcoming the class of 2025.”