Undergraduate Admission 2023 Viewbook - University of San Diego

YOUR HORIZON

Envision a Place AT THE EDGE OF IT ALL.

Set at the edge of an international gateway on a campus that’s consistently ranked among the nation’s most beautiful, the University of San Diego inspires students to make a difference in the world. Our focus on academic excellence — inspired by faith, nurtured in a welcoming, community environment — empowers innovative, confident, original thinkers to make positive contributions by confronting humanity’s urgent challenges around the globe.

With 5,669 undergraduate students from 46 states and 58 countries, the University of San Diego is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of top-100 universities in the United States. Small class sizes, a compassionate culture, hands-on learning opportunities and state-of-the-art resources characterize the USD experience.

A PLACE WHERE YOUR Future STARTS.

Find your Passion

At USD, we believe in the power of interdisciplinary learning and we challenge students to see the ways in which all subjects are ultimately interconnected in our society. The liberal arts teach students how to learn, how to think critically and how to communicate effectively across disciplines. Our faculty prepares students to be multifaceted thinkers and scholars and to develop a curious mind with the skills to analyze the world from myriad perspectives.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

MAJORS

Accountancy*

Anthropology*

Architecture*

Art History*

Behavioral Neuroscience

Biochemistry

Biology*

Biophysics

Business Accounting

Business Administration*

Business Analytics*

Business Economics

Chemistry*

Communication*

Computer Science*

Economics*

Electrical Engineering

Engineering

English*

Environmental and Ocean Sciences*

Ethnic Studies*

Finance*

French & Francophone Studies*

History*

Individualized Major Industrial and Systems Engineering

Interdisciplinary Humanities

International Business*

International Relations*

Italian Studies

*Also offered as a minor

Liberal Studies

Marketing*

Mathematics*

Mechanical Engineering

Music*

Philosophy*

Physics*

Political Science*

Psychology*

Real Estate*

Sociology*

Spanish*

Supply Chain Management

Theatre*

Theology and Religious Studies*

Visual Arts*

MINORS

Africana Studies

Asian Studies

Biomedical Ethics

Changemaking

Chinese

Classical Studies

Cognitive Science

Creative Writing

Entrepreneurship

Environmental Studies and Policy

Film Studies

German Information Technology Management

100 TOP NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

12:1

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO

Italian

Latin American Studies

Law and Ethics

Leadership Studies

Management

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Philanthropy

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Women’s and Gender Studies

PRE-PROFESSIONAL ADVISING PROGRAMS

Pre-Health Advising

Pre-Allied Health

Pre-Dental

Pre-Medical

Pre-Nursing

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Podiatry

Pre-Veterinary

Pre-Law Advising

Pre-Pre-K-12 Teaching

ROTC PROGRAMS

Air Force Army Navy

SMALL CLASSES

You’ll learn from our expert faculty members — not teaching assistants — in small classes, typically about 21 students. All our classes are led by faculty members who also serve as your academic advisors.

INTEGRATED CORE CURRICULUM

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE

The core curriculum prepares students to be lifelong learners who have the necessary skills to navigate their future careers and live impactful lives. Designed by our faculty members, it spans critical competencies that employers routinely tout as the most important skills needed in the workforce. We strive to educate ethical leaders and engaged citizens and our core curriculum allows students to investigate questions of ethical, religious and philosophical inquiry. All USD undergraduate students, no matter their majors, engage in a diversity of perspectives that can only come from critically examining art, history, literature and the human experience.

LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES

As part of the first-year experience at USD, students who share a common interest live and study together. Living Learning Communities, or LLCs, ease your academic and social transition into college, they expand your intellectual curiosity beyond the classroom and establish an immediate sense of community with your faculty members and fellow residents. While in an LLC, students take classes together and live near one another, sharing a supercharged college experience where academics meld with exciting co-curricular activities and community engagement, helping to unfurl new understandings in the process.

TURN Ideas INTO Action

In addition to an engaging and integrated academic experience on campus, students at USD learn how to make a difference in our city, across our border and around the world. Our location at the edge of an international gateway uniquely prepares students to embrace the breadth and depth of ways they can become globally competent citizens. As a faith-based institution, we inspire and challenge our students to see the world, and themselves, with new eyes.

STUDY ABROAD

USD has been ranked among the top-five schools in the nation for the past five years for the percentage of undergraduates participating in a study-abroad program. Choose from more than 70 academic programs in more than 35 countries.

Maddy Domingo

“Studying abroad has opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity of this world and ignited a passion in me to see as much of it as I can. I know myself now, more than ever, and I’m so excited for what’s to come!”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

As one of only 41 Changemaker campuses around the world, USD is committed to providing opportunities for all students to engage in social change and social innovation both inside and outside the classroom.

CAREER READINESS

All undergraduates participate in one of three career readiness programs — Passport, Compass or Connect — depending on their intended majors. These programs complement the curriculum and assist students in exploring their passions, developing career-building skills and connecting them with networks that lead to meaningful postgraduation plans.

Torero Life

The University of San Diego is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for students, families, faculty and staff from different backgrounds and faith traditions. You will be joining a community of students who come from 46 states and 58 countries. The Torero culture is vibrant, welcoming and filled with opportunities to find others who share your interests and passions. In addition, San Diego, often known as America’s Finest City, provides an amazing environment for our students to live and play.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

We offer a wide array of religious and multicultural student organizations, interest-based clubs, professional societies and community service clubs.

SAN DIEGO

Beach cruising at Mission Bay, fish tacos in Pacific Beach, exploring the Point Loma tide pools and hiking in Torrey Pines are just a few of the things you have to look forward to in America’s Finest City. As the eighth-largest city in the nation, San Diego offers exceptional opportunities for students to go beyond the classroom and engage in wide-ranging internships throughout San Diego and beyond.

# 1 #22

MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS THE PRINCETON REVIEW

Final Four

DIVISION I ATHLETICS

USD is home to 17 NCAA Division I athletic teams and more than 30 club and intramural teams. All of our Division I Toreros compete in the West Coast Conference with the exception of football, which competes in the Pioneer Football League. Our Torero scholar-athletes win on the playing field, in the classroom and in the community, contributing thousands of volunteer hours throughout the region.

MEN

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Tennis

WOMEN

Basketball, Cross Country, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

2022 NCAA DIVISION I VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Your Future AN INVESTMENT IN

Higher education is one of the most important — and long-lasting — investments a family will make, and at USD, we’re committed to doing everything we can to help with the cost of attendance. More than 75% of USD students receive some financial assistance and we offer a variety of financial aid opportunities, including:

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS

About 40% of our entering first-year class will receive a merit scholarship. These are based on a student’s grades and coursework in school, as well as a holistic review of a student’s cocurricular activities and involvement.

NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID

Our Division I athletics program offers scholarships based on a student’s talents in their sports. These are awarded through the Department of Athletics.

All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than March 2 of their senior year. A wide range of federal, state and institutional aid is offered based on a family’s income and the results of the FAFSA. For additional information about affording a USD education, go to sandiego.edu/AffordingUSD

USD DREAM ACT / CA DREAM ACT

$ 40 K

AVERAGE AID RECEIVED

76 % STUDENTS RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Undocumented students may be eligible to qualify for state and/or institutional aid, with financial need being determined by either the California Dream Act Application or the USD Dream Act Application.

TUITION / COST OF ATTENDANCE

Tuition: $55,690

Fees: $754

Average Room and Board: $16,380

Career Outcomes

Investing in a USD education will provide dividends for a lifetime. Our graduates become part of the Torero family — a global resource for networking. Each year, USD’s Career Development Center surveys recent graduates to see where they are six months after graduation. The following data is based on USD’s Class of 2022.

90.7 % 93 %

22.8% ENROLLED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL

EMPLOYED, IN GRADUATE SCHOOL, MILITARY OR FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER SERVICE

EMPLOYED FULL-TIME 55.8%

EMPLOYED IN A POSITION ALIGNED WITH CAREER GOALS

Mickie Enad '23

7.7% EMPLOYED PART-TIME

7.4% SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

2.1% MILITARY SERVICE

1.9% OTHER

1.4% SELF-EMPLOYED

0.9% FULL-TIME SERVICE

“I am grateful for all the experiences that USD has given me to advance my career. From the faculty, staff, and my other peers, it seems that we are all in one collective in helping each other grow in our career development. To top it all off, there are many resources that I utilized, like CDev (the Career Development Center), that give you a diverse perspective of how to approach a career path. That is because, here at USD, there are many individuals with diverse career experiences that have wonderful career advice to share.”

ANNUAL STARTING SALARIES $66,477 $65,000 $15,300–$300,000

5,669

44 % 58 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS MALE HOME COUNTRIES

The admissions process at USD is a holistic one, meaning that we consider many factors in identifying a student’s strengths, abilities and passions. The process starts by completing the Common Application (commonapp.org).

In addition to completing the Common Application, including USD’s Member Questions, all first-year applicants must submit:

STARTS HERE Official high school transcript(s)

Academic letter of recommendation

TOEFL minimum: 80; IELTS minimum: 6.5; Duolingo minimum: 115 (international applicants only)

Dec. 1 (fall term) Oct. 2 (spring term)

Application fee

For more details about our holistic application review process, go to sandiego.edu/WhatWeLookFor.