The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee, is a private Episcopal liberal arts university located in Sewanee, Tennessee, atop the Cumberland Plateau. Founded in 1857, it is owned by multiple dioceses of the Episcopal Church and includes both a College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology, which serves as an official seminary of the church. The university is known for its residential liberal arts curriculum, strong traditions in the humanities, and its large wooded campus domain. Students are often drawn to The University of the South for its small class sizes, emphasis on writing and discussion-based learning, and its historic campus setting in a rural environment.
With a 56.9% acceptance rate, The University of the South is moderately selective. Applicants are expected to show good academic performance and readiness for college-level coursework. Students with consistent grades, extracurricular involvement, and a well-prepared application are typically competitive for admission.
The University of the South was founded in 1857 by bishops, clergy, and lay leaders from ten Southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church who sought to establish a regional Episcopal university. On July 4, 1857, delegates met on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee, to organize the institution. Construction began before the Civil War, but fighting disrupted progress, and the campus suffered damage during the conflict. The university resumed building in 1866 and held its first convocation in 1868, marking the beginning of continuous operations in Sewanee, Tennessee. Charles Todd Quintard, who presided over the early postwar period, played a central role in rebuilding. During the twentieth century, The University of the South narrowed its focus to the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Theology after previously operating professional programs. In 2006, it added the School of Letters, expanding its graduate offerings while maintaining its liberal arts mission.
The University of the South has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which means small class sizes and close interaction with professors. Students often benefit from more personalized attention, accessible faculty mentorship, and greater opportunities for discussion and research collaboration.
Applying to The University of the South involves a selective admissions process that considers academic performance, coursework rigor, recommendations, extracurricular involvement, and personal essays. As a residential liberal arts institution in Sewanee, Tennessee, The University of the South looks for students who are prepared for discussion-based classes and close faculty engagement. Prospective students can apply through common application platforms and are encouraged to demonstrate interest in the university’s distinctive academic and community environment.
The University of the South offers need-based financial aid as well as merit scholarships to help make attendance affordable. Financial aid packages may include grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans. Families applying to The University of the South typically submit required financial documents to determine eligibility, and early planning can help students understand the full cost of attendance.
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