University of Portland Top Questions

Students are nice and welcoming!!

Ethnically, UP is not very diverse. The majority of staff and students being Caucasian. The student body population, ethnically, mirrors that of the Pacific Northwest in general. I would say more than half of the students are from out of state. You are not required to be Catholic or convert to Catholicism to attend UP! From what I see online, only about 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student population is Catholic. I have met students from many different religious backgrounds. As of last year, the university has added sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policy, which also includes race, nationality, religion, and disabilities. Students, in my opinion, seem to be pretty open minded at UP. As one does throughout life though, I have met several students with narrow minded views about poverty, race, and sexuality, but just a few. Politically, UP seems pretty mixed. I honestly cannot tell sometimes which way most students lean politically. Economically, you will find most students are well off. Not super rich, but have enough to go through school without worrying much. There are students who do struggle financially and work full time or almost full time to stay in school. I am an example of that. I am yet to meet any "snobby rich kids" here though, which seems to be a stereotype I suppose. Most people are truly down to earth and are well aware of the realities of life.

My classmates are kind, engaged, and eager to share in a learning experience while making friends along the way.

Different, smart, creative, and talented.

My classmates are awesome individuals who are talkative, kind towards everyone, and smile and say hello when seeing each other.

All of my classmates are unique in their own way, however every single one of them is intelligent and bright.

My classmates are excited to learn and competitivie towards reaching their career goals.

My classmates are friendly, willing to learn, diligent and diverse.

My classmates are often friendly, invested in class, and happy to be at the school.

Classmates are friendly and good colleagues.