Seattle. Situated on the western seaboard of the US, 225 km south of Vancouver, Canada, Seattle is the capital of Washington state. This seaport (pop. 560,000) which has retained the charm of its natural environment, is the largest city in the US Pacific northwest and the 14th largest in the country. Seattle offers the scenic and cultural variety of a metro with the unique advantage of easy access to contiguous mountains and lakes.

Seattle has a moderate climate. The temperature rarely drops below freezing in winter, nor does it rise above the ‘hot’ level for more than a few days during summer. Rain is characteristic of Seattle’s weather. Students should be prepared for a cool, often wet climate. Sea Tac, Seattle’s major international airport, offers direct overseas flights daily.

Campus facilities. The 48-acre university campus is located in the heart of the city. Seattle’s sights and sounds, rich ethnic diversity, celebrated restaurants, first-rung entertainment, major league athletics, theatre, opera, and ballet enrich campus life. Eight buildings house classrooms, 30 instructional and 22 specialised laboratories, computer facilities and supportive equipment which provide state-of-the-art education. The varsity’s Lemeiux library houses more than 300,000 volumes and 1,700 periodicals. Study carrels enable quietude while lounges are available for group study.

Sports facilities at Seattle U include the Connolly Physical Education Centre for indoor activities, fields for outdoor sports and tennis courts. The Connolly Centre includes an astrogym for indoor soccer and tennis, three basketball courts, two indoor swimming pools, five handball courts, squash courts, gymnasium, weight exercise rooms and saunas. The intramural field provides facilities for football, softball and rugby, as well as a running track. The student life programme includes over 80 extra-curricular clubs and organisations

Admission. The minimum requirement for admission into Seattle U’s undergrad programmes is successful completion of class XII. All applicants, whatever their level of schooling, must show above-average marks in secondary or university level course work. Overseas students whose native language is other than English must also earn scores of 580 or higher in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to qualify for admission. All freshman applicants must complete the application form or an approved alternative (e.g, the Common Application) and enclose the following documents: official high school transcripts, official SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test) reports, teacher recommendation and essay or personal statement together with an application fee of $45. Overseas students can also apply online (www.seattleu.edu).

For entry into its graduate programmes Seattle U requires students to have completed a bachelor’s degree. However some academic departments may require additional qualifications.

For more information write to The Admissions Office, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122-1090    (206) 296-6000. E-mail: admissions@seattleu.edu. Website: www.seattleu.edu.

Accommodation. Three halls of residence (Bellarmine, Campion and Xavier) and an on-campus apartment complex house 1,600 students. Under-graduate accommodation is available for all four years of study. Located in the epicentre of the campus, Bellarmine Hall houses approximately 420 students. Rooms contain modular furniture and micro-fridges (combination microwave/ refrigerators) and residents have access to a kitchen located in the building.

Campion Hall is on the southern side of campus, across the street from the Lemieux Library and next to the Archbishop Thomas Murphy Apartments. This 12-storey building houses 650 residents who enjoy scenic views of Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic or Cascade mountain ranges from its 12th floor lounge. Xavier Hall is on the north end of the campus and houses approxi-mately 200 residents.

All halls of residence have lounges equipped with cable TV and VCR, as well as kitchens.

Degree programmes. Seattle U offers a wide range of undergrad and postgrad programmes. Its eight schools — College of Arts and Sciences, Matteo Ricci College, Albers School of Business and Economics, School of Nursing, School of Science and Engineering, School of Law, School of Education and School of Theology and Ministry — offer 44 undergrad and 24 postgrad programmes.

Seattle has a quarter hour system that divides each year into four terms of about 10 weeks duration. Students typically attend fall (beginning in late September), winter (January) and spring (late March) quarters. Each quarter undergraduates take three courses (15 credits) and graduate students three courses (nine credits). 

Scholastic options at Seattle U

Seattle University offers over 68 academic programmes (undergrad, Master’s and post-Master’s certificate programmes) across seven faculties. They include: