Above: President Kelly greets prospective students and their families.
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A new admission record signals that Christopher Newport's reach and reputation are soaring in Virginia and beyond.
Attracted by its beautiful campus, high level of academic engagement, national championship athletics, remarkable arts program, and impressive graduate outcomes, nearly 7,000 students applied for the next fall class as of the December 1 Early Action admission deadline. That represents a 33% increase over last year, and the most in University history.
Early applications from high schoolers in both Virginia and out-of-state are at an all-time high. That latter number is especially impressive, as more and more high school seniors from East Coast states and beyond discover the top ranked regional public university in Virginia and the No. 3 in the South (US News).
Early Action has emerged as the University’s most popular admission option for high school seniors. CNU promises decisions by January 15, and students then have until the May 1 national enrollment verification deadline to make their final college choices.
“We are thrilled that more and more high school students are seeking what CNU offers - an outstanding education in an intimate setting with a foundation in the liberal arts, on a beautiful campus with extraordinary facilities,” said Dean of Admission Dr. Rob Lange.
The University is also seeing a spike in applications from transfer students seeking to continue an education started elsewhere. The majority come from the Virginia Community College System. Applications are up by 25% to date, with the Spring 2025 application deadline of Dec. 16, 2024 coming soon.
Whether readying for their first year in college or looking for a fresh start, the next class of Captains will have unique opportunities on campus. They will be among the first students to take classes, conduct research and explore the technologically-advanced facilities in the Science and Engineering Research Center, which is now under construction and will open in 2026.
They also will have the option of enrolling in the new School of Engineering and Computing, the new School of Arts, and new undergraduate programs being offered in nursing and education.
“While we have received a record number of early applications, we still plan to offer plenty of students admission later, through Regular Decision,” Lange said. “I strongly urge every student looking for a place to learn from excellent teacher-scholar mentors in small classes to consider CNU – check out the residence halls that are #1 in Virginia, and see for yourself how we are anchored in excellence, preparing the next generation of good citizens and leaders.”
Those who have not yet applied to Christopher Newport still have time. Regular decision applications are accepted until February 1, 2025. For more information, visit cnu.edu/apply.