About

See what students say:

Academics

Armed with a “beautiful campus” and “excellent academics,” the University of Puget Sound is a great option for anyone hoping to study in the Pacific Northwest. The school provides students with “an amazing support system” and truly strives to “help them [meet] their goal[s] in whatever capacity necessary.” Academically, undergrads here are especially quick to highlight Puget Sound’s “great arts programs, whether [in] English, music, or theater.” They also applaud the fact that there are ample “project-based learning opportunities such as relevant work study [and] summer research for all majors and interests.” Additionally, students benefit from small class sizes, which lead to plenty of “open discussion and interactive engagement with the course material.” This also allows undergrads to develop “close student-professor relationships.” And speaking of professors, they work hard to ensure their classes are “challenging” yet “accessible.” Importantly, “they have open office hours that all students are encouraged to attend, and there is no shame in [doing so].” As one grateful student sums up, “Professors are genuinely excited to make time for students in their schedule for advice, homework help, or even just sharing a coffee. The level of concern of the professors for undergraduate education is almost unmatched.”

Student Body

At first glance, the University of Puget Sound’s student body appears “fairly homogenous.” After all, most undergrads come from “white middle-class families along the West Coast.” However, the school is making strides to become “more diverse,” especially “in terms of gender expression and sexuality.” What’s more, Puget Sound students are “not afraid to voice their [opinions or] their views [on] everything from political to social issues.” In turn, students also caution that “more conservative views can [either] fall on deaf ears [or] can be met with a strong argument.” However, others quickly assert that no matter your background or leanings, Puget Sound students are “open and welcoming to all.” As one undergrad shares, “[Students are] not just nice in passing, but they have depth and consideration; when you run into someone in a café and [make] small talk, it doesn’t feel surface level.” This makes for a “general vibe … [that is] laid back.” Students also tend to describe their classmates as “unique,” “adventurous,” and “passionate” people who maintain a strong “desire for new experiences.” Of course, if you’re looking to easily pinpoint these undergrads, you’d simply say that the “typical [Puget Sound] student loves the outdoors, is a critical thinker, and knows what makes a good raincoat.”

Campus Life

It’s no secret that undergrads at Puget Sound are “very dedicated to their studies.” In fact, “most students have a fun time studying in [the] two different cafés on campus.” Of course, even these dedicated scholars need to kick back, so they frequently take advantage of the various “performances, talks, or events going on almost every week.” Additionally, many students flock to “the athletic center to get in a workout, attend a dance class, or rock climb.” A good number also participate in “at least one club or are [involved] in Greek life.” Puget Sound undergrads report that “on any given Friday night you can find a party” to attend. No need to worry if that’s not your scene. Students here are an “outdoorsy” lot, and when the weekend rolls around, many of them can be found “hiking, skiing, kayaking” or “[taking] camping trips to the Olympic Peninsula or out to Eastern Washington.” People are also just as happy to stay local and explore all that the surrounding area has to offer including “the Bridge of Glass, Point Defiance park, and the Puget Sound waterfront.”

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Vicki Pastore
Campus Visit Coordinator

Address
Office of Admission
1500 N. Warner St.
Tacoma, WA 98416-1062

Phone
253-879-3211

Email
admission@pugetsound.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Diversions Caf?
Glass gazebo Oppenheimer Caf?
Collins Memorial Library rocking chairs
Science Center atrium
Theme House Row
Other highlights include 97-acre Tudor Gothic campus with views of Mt. Rainier, Commencement Walk, athletic facilities, student center, arboretum, and observatory.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Sixth Avenue music, bars, shops, restaurants
Pt. Defiance Park with zoo and aquarium
National parks (Olympic and Mt. Rainier)
Seattle and the Pacific Northwest
Ruston Way (waterfront, bike path)
The creative urban city of Tacoma is nestled between two mountain ranges and the shore of Puget Sound, close to SeaTac airport, and the cultural and entrepreneurial offerings of Seattle.

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Information Sessions are integrated with the Campus Tour and offered M-F

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Option is presented in online registration form as available

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
admission@pugetsound.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Option is presented in online registration form as available

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Other

Limitations
1-night stay Sun-Thurs night only; bring a sleeping bag, towel, and pillow

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 24 miles from campus. Capital Aeroporter provides hourly transportation from the airport to the downtown Tacoma Sheraton and, if possible, to campus. Call 800-962-3579 or 253-927-6179 (in Tacoma) or 206-838-7431 (at the airport) to arrange for this service. If the Aeroporter cannot take you to campus directly, you can take a taxi from the Sheraton. Amtrak train service is available to the station in Tacoma. From there, take a taxi or one of these public buses: #41, #400, or #500; request a transfer ticket and leave the bus at 10th and Commerce Streets. Wait there for the UPS Bus (#16A or #16B) and take it to N. 15th and Alder Sts., which is 1 block west of Wheelock Student Center. Greyhound Bus Lines also serve Tacoma. From the bus station, take the UPS Bus (#16A or #16B) at 10th and Commerce Sts. (1 block west of Pacific Ave. from the station) and follow preceding directions from there to campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From the North: from I-5, take exit 133 Interstate 705 north, City Center exit. Exit at Schuster Parkway. Continue for approximately one mile; stay to the left. Exit to the left, Schuster Parkway, and follow down along the water. Stay to the right and proceed approximately 1.5 miles. Exit right onto North 30th. Continue through the traffic signal in Old Town and up the hill. At the top of the hill, turn left at North Alder. Continue approximately one mile to North 15th. Turn right and proceed into campus. From I-5 South, take Exit 132 for Gig Harbor/Bremerton Hwy. (Washington Rte. 16); then take the Union Ave. exit, make a right at the light, and travel north approximately 2 miles to the campus (on your right). Continue onto N. 18th St. and turn right. Turn right again on N. Lawrence St. (at the yield sign) and continue to the stop sign. Turn right into Jones Circle. Park in the parking circle in front of Jones Hall or in the lot just south of Wheelock Student Center.

Local Accommodations
The Silver Cloud Inn (Tacoma 2317 N. Ruston Way; 253-272-1300 or 866-820-8448) is located on the waterfront in Tacoma and is less than two miles from campus. Courtyard by Marriott (1515 Commerce St.; 253-591-9100 or 800-321-2211), also about 2.5 miles from campus. The La Quinta Inn (1425 E. 27th St.; 253-383-0146) is located approximately 4 miles from the university and is more modestly priced.
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Admissions

Applicants: 5,730
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average HS GPA: 3.50






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