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The incoming class of Captains, the largest since 2019, brings to campus strong academic skills, as well as diverse backgrounds and geography.
The Class of 2029 marks an important University milestone: it holds the record for the largest pool of completed applications in CNU’s history. In total, 9,005 high school seniors applied and 1,164 enrolled.
Not only is the class larger than its predecessors, it is also geographically diverse. The Class of 2029 includes Captains from Morocco, Venezuela, Philippines, El Salvador, China, Zimbabwe, France, and Costa Rica.
Outside of Virginia, the state represented most in the freshman class is Maryland, followed by North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York. In all, 20 states are represented.
They come from many locations, but this class shares the distinction of being at home in the classroom:
- The average high school GPA is 3.7
- 99 students, or 8.5 percent of the class, qualified for the highly selective Honors Program and 34 percent, or 399, were accepted into the President’s Leadership Program.
- 281, or 24 percent, are first-generation college students
- The majority of the class served in at least one leadership role in high school, and many were highly engaged in an array of meaningful activities - from athletics and student government, to various honor societies and the fine and performing arts.
In addition to the freshmen, Christopher Newport welcomed a robust transfer class of 199 students.
- 106 students, or 53 percent, transferred to CNU from the Virginia Community College System.
- The average GPA was 3.3
- 57, or 29 percent, identify as first-generation college students.
- Top transfer majors: psychology, accounting, management, and marketing.
The University’s Strategic Compass focuses on making CNU the most inclusive regional public university in the country. Both the newest first-year and transfer student classes, diverse in many ways, have advanced that goal.