Outdoor Pursuits and Voyages!

The state of Oregon has so much to offer, especially when you take a step out of your front door. With Henry Hagg Lake 15 minutes, Mount Hood and the coast an hour away, hundreds of hiking trails with amazing views and waterfalls, and plenty of other easily accessible attractions, Pacific University is in the perfect central place for students who want to get outside and connect with nature! For this very reason, Pacific has an outdoors club called Outdoor Pursuits. The sole mission of the club is to provide students with opportunities, skills, and experience in the great outdoors. The club is catered to students with any level of experience all the way from, “I essentially am a tree” to “I will scream if I see a ladybug in my room”. Throughout the school year Outdoor Pursuits offers trips for students that are discounted to an extremely affordable level. For example, it can cost $80 to rent a stand up paddle board through a regular company, but only $35 for students with Outdoor Pursuits. The club aims to make all the prices low so there is no excuse for not trying new things. On top of the trips that are available to all students, the club offers Freshman Voyages. These trips are offered to freshman before orientation in the fall. Students have the opportunity to do fun things such as surfing, rock climbing, white water rafting, etc. we trained older students and faculty for about a week. Voyages are chance to walk into freshman orientation with a small community that you have already formed. Often students make friends that last their entire college career on their Voyage trip which is amazing to hear! When we have students who are extremely passionate about being in nature, we point them to our Outdoor Leadership Minor. We are one of the few schools in the country that offer this as a minor and employers love it. When an employer sees 100 applications, this minor really stands out and shows that you have leadership skills in extreme situations/environments and they want to know more about it. Student are able to lead classes, learn about safety, learn about guiding, and learn a lot about themselves as leaders and people. It is a new program but the reviews have been amazing!

Meet Tailor Dolgin, a recently graduated senior (English Lit Major, Outdoor Leadership Minor) who found her new home in Outdoor Pursuits!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZR78zBECRw

If you have any other questions and want to check out all that Outdoor Pursuits has to offer, click here.

Part 2: Top 10 Reasons to Become a Boxer!

A continuation from last week’s post, there are an unlimited number of great things that can be said about Pacific University. We decided to shorten that list and give you the Top 10 Reasons to Become a Boxer!

6.       Study Abroad and Travel Courses – Pacific University has 26 different study abroad programs in 13 different countries that all students have a chance to participate in. Studying abroad is an opportunity for students to not only earn Pacific credits, but to explore the world and experience something different! Students are able to apply the same financial aid they receive at Pacific University to the foreign university they attend in our programs. If a whole semester or school year is not something a student wants or is able to do, then we also offer three-week travel courses during winter term or early summer (7 courses offered in the 2018-19 school year). These are out of pocket trips that are paired up with a course in the fall or spring semester. We encourage all students to ask their advisers about study abroad programs in order to figure out how their schedules will need to be structured.

7.       Civic Engagement Opportunities – A requirement for all students, civic engagement is a way we get our students out into the community serving in many different ways! The students have the option when and how they choose to meet this requirement which makes the process more enjoyable and authentic. There are classes geared toward civic engagement projects that revolve around specific majors. A psychology student will have may options that revolve around mental health within the community, while an environment science student may have an opportunity to volunteer at the B-Street Farm. There are also general classes for civic engagement with themes for students who have not chosen their major yet. No matter how it gets done, its sole purpose is to get students off campus, into the community, and making a difference.

8.       70+ Clubs and Activities – There is no shortage of clubs to choose from as Pacific has over 70 clubs and organizations on campus. The clubs fall under many categories such as academic, educational, Greek life, cultural, religious, public service, recreational, performing arts, and student media. We highly encourage our student to join multiple clubs. It is a great way for all students to make new connections with like-minded students, take up potential leadership positions, and get involved on campus and in the community. Most Pacific University students are involved with three or four different clubs or organizations throughout their career as a student. If students are unable to find a club that fits their desire, we highly encourage starting a new club! All students need to start their own club is seven members and a staff or faculty member as their adviser. After turning in some paperwork, they are now a funded club of Pacific University.

9.       24 Varsity Sports – Pacific University is an NCAA Division III school. We compete with 24 teams in the Northwest Conference. Pacific is equipped with a new state-of-the-art 9-lane Atlas track (one of two in all the Northwest), new football/soccer/lacrosse field with a video jumbo Tron, a turf baseball field, top ranked softball field (between DII and DIII schools), an indoor turf field with indoor batting cages, three indoor and three outdoor tennis courts, an athlete weight room, fully functional locker rooms, and top notch athletic training facilities. We have coaches from all over the country with amazing histories both as athletes themselves and coaches who love being at Pacific University. Our teams have reeled in 12 championships in the last decade.

10.   Scholarships!! – Here at Pacific University, we want our students to focus on school and enjoying their experience as much as possible. Unfortunately, college finances stress students out around the country. We do all that we can to chip away at the cost of your education through many routes of generous scholarships. 90% of Pacific University students do not pay the full cost of tuition and we are proud of that number! The merit scholarships are our most basic form of scholarship. Based on GPA and test scores (ACT/SAT) students will receive a renewable scholarship: University ($12,000 per year), Trustee ($15,000 per year), Presidential ($18,000 per year), Honors ($21,000 per year), Founders ($24,000 per year). We offer Special Interest Awards ranging from $500 - $6,000 per year based on particular talents incoming students may have. Student who are interested in things such as art, math, dance, music, photography, debate, etc. have the chance to apply for a scholarship. Small requirements are paired with these awards, only one of which requires students to minor, making these even more doable. On top of all that, we host Senior Preview Scholarship Days in the fall where just by attending students receive $1,000 per year. Students arrive with their families in the morning, eat breakfast with students listen to a few speakers, a student panel, professor panel, tour the campus, and have a chance to sit in on a class. It’s a great way to get familiar with the school and earn money while you are doing it!

Part 1: Top 10 Reasons to Become a Boxer!

There is an infinite amount of reason why someone should want to be a Boxer! Unfortunately, there are a limited amount of words for this blog post so we are going to narrow it down the Top 10 Reasons to Become a Boxer!

1.       4-Year Guarantee – Here at Pacific University we guarantee that our students will be able to graduate in four years as long as they hold up their end of the deal. All a student needs to do is declare a major by the end of their Sophomore year and maintain a 2.5 GPA (B-/C+ range). Graduating in four years gives students a chance to get out into the real world in a timely fashion. 82% of Pacific University graduates are either enrolled in grad school or have a career job within six months of graduation. For whatever reason if a student is unable to graduate on time and they upheld their end of the bargain, then Pacific University will pay for the remaining classes that are need. The 4-year guarantee keeps students on track to move on to the next big thing!

2.       10:1 Student Faculty Ratio – At Pacific University, we have a faculty member for every 10 students on campus. Why is that important? We find value in this because students are able to have a personal relationship with their professors, more one on one time with professors, and an opportunity to succeed. With most of our professors having terminal degrees in the field (highest achievable degree) students have access to open door policies with experts in the field. Often at large state institutions, students do not have the opportunity to meet their professors due to the sheer amount of enrolled students. Professors come specifically to Pacific University for the sole reason of being able to interact closely and directly with their students.

3.       Average class size of 19 students - Due to the smaller school size (1850 undergraduates), students have the luxury of smaller class sizes. With the exception of a few intro courses that are usually taken within the freshman year (Intro to Biology, Intro to Chemistry, and Intro to Psychology, all classes many students are required to take) class sizes are purposely kept on the smaller side. When at a large public institution, the class sizes for an incoming freshman can reach upwards of 500 students to a class and are held in large lecture halls. With smaller class sizes, classes change from lecture to discussions, giving students the chance to not only be heard, but hear the diverse perspectives of other students in the class. This brings about a well-rounded and unique learning experience.

4.       65+ Areas of Study - Pacific University is a liberal arts university meaning we want to give our students a chance to explore. With over 65 areas of study, students enrolled at Pacific have the opportunity to check out many different avenues of interest. We encourage that students take advantage of this. We do not put pressure on student to pick a major as we give them two years (four semesters) to make this decision if they want to stay on track for graduating in four years. We offer a class called Essential Human Knowledge which offers a lecture once a week by a professor from a different discipline. We do this so students are able to truly get a firsthand taste in what all the different majors have to offer. It is a great way to learn what things do or do not interest you, and help guide your decision as you navigate our many paths!

5.       Undergraduate Research & Internships – At Pacific University, we push our students to pursue both internships and research opportunities. Most students have participated in at least one internship by the end of their time here at Pacific. The professors are extremely involved in helping students find internships through the various connections and relationships they have previously built in the field. When emails come in from other companies, professors relay the information to students who they believe would be good fits or just to the general population. Often we are able to have our students land paid internships with top notch companies such as Nike and Intel. In terms of research, our professors conduct all of their research in the summers. Often students will be hired to assist the professors and gain real research experience as undergrads right here on campus. Also, all students are required to do a senior thesis project and work very closely with professors to complete these. Research that is specific to the students’ field of study will be conducted in order to complete these projects. 

Why Should You Live On-Campus?!?

Here at Pacific University, we love having our students live on campus. We make housing not only available, but guaranteed for four years. It is required for students to be on campus for the first two years of attendance, and it is encouraged that students spend all four as residents on campus. In fact, it is quite common to see seniors living on campus and loving it!

Some good reasons to live on campus:

• ·         More involvement – When living on campus, you are being dropped right into the action. You are less than 10 minutes away from any event, game, speaker, or class. When you can hear music playing in the quad and look out your window to see students playing volleyball or just hanging out, you are much more likely to go out and join unlike those who may not even know that anything is going on because they are living off campus.
• ·         Community – Simply walking out of your room will provide an opportunity to get involved due to the fact that there is always something going on in a residence hall. The RAs (Residence Assistants) are there to make life more enjoyable for their students. Things such as ping pong tournaments, pancake parties, and haunted houses around Halloween time are not unusual to see. The RAs try to host an event at least once a month, and they have office hours in the lobby of their respective residence halls at least once a week each.
• ·         Less Financial Stress! – Students who live off campus have to account for paying monthly rent, a security deposit, utilities, furnishing their apartment/house, laundry, and repairs. When you live on campus, your room and board is payed as a package with your tuition, so no monthly fees. Utilities, laundry, furniture, appliances (in apartment style dorms), and repairs to the room (i.e. broken oven, dead lightbulbs) are all included. With less things to worry about in terms of your living situation, students are able to keep their focus on school and other more important factors of their life.

The on campus experience is catered to students. When on campus, you can truly experience the full benefits of a university that looks out for its students. Off campus living is something that everyone will experience once graduated from school, so why rush the process and add more real world stress and pressure to your plate prematurely?

For more information on housing, click on the link below:

https://www.pacificu.edu/housingdining

For more information on residence halls, click the link below:

https://www.pacificu.edu/housingdining/housing/residence-halls

For more information on residence life, click the link below:

https://www.pacificu.edu/housingdining/residence-life

Merit Scholarships

The most frequently asked questions we receive from students who are interested in Pacific University revolve around the finances and tuition of the university. We do all that we can to make sure that the financial burden of college is something our students do not have to stress over. 90% of Pacific University students receive some form of scholarship or financial aid. The main source of this statistic comes from our Merit Scholarships. Merit Scholarships are solely based on all the hard work students have done in high school, there is no application process, and they are renewable for four years at Pacific University. When high school students apply to Pacific, they send in their official high school transcript and test scores (we have no preferences between the SAT and ACT). When your admissions counselor receives these items from incoming students, they do a small calculation and immediately award the student a scholarship.

There are five different Merit scholarships: The University ($12,000 per year), the Trustee ($15,000 per year), the Presidential ($18,000 per year), the Honors ($21,000 per year), and the Founders ($24,000 per year).

When it comes to the test scores, for the ACT we look at the composite score (math, reading, science, English). For the SAT we only consider the critical reading and math sections. We also accept super scores! Super score essentially means that we allow students to take either test as many times they want, and we will select the top score from each category. For example, a student takes the SAT for the first time and scores a 650 on the critical reading and 530 on the math, giving them a total of 1190. The same student takes the test again and take and scores a 640 on the critical reading and 580 on the math, giving them a total of 1220. Instead of just accepting the total score from the second test (1220), we would take the higher critical reading score (first test = 660) and the higher math score (second test = 580) giving the student a super score of 1240. If a student is accepted in December but they retake the test again in January, we encourage them to send in their scores so that we can see if they qualify for more scholarship money. Your counselor will let students know how close they are to being able to reach the next level of scholarship. Once again, we do this so that students do not have to stress out as much on the financial side, and truly focus on enjoying their time here at Pacific University. 

Clubs and Organizations

At Pacific University, we host a club fair in the beginning of every semester. Clubs and on-campus organizations are able to reserve tables and promote themselves to the general student population. It is a fun and exciting event as students, both returning and new, wander through the maze of tables in search of new opportunities and communities. There is no shortage of clubs to choose from as Pacific has over 70 clubs and organizations on campus including:

• ·         Academic/Educational – Business Club, First Generation Student Success Association, Pre-Med Club, Social Work Club, Women in Computer Science, etc.
• ·         Greek Life – Alpha Kappa Delta, Alpha Zeta, Phi Lambda Omicron, Pi Kappa Rho, Pacific University Greek Senate, etc.
• ·         Cultural & Religious – Black Student Union, Pacific Christian Fellowship, Muslim Student Association, Nā Haumāna O Hawai’i (The Hawaii Club), French Club, etc.
• ·         Public Service – Students for Environmental Activism, PDA (Animal Ethics), B-Street Farm Club B-Street Farm Club, Activities and Cultural Events (ACE) Board , Residence Hall Association, etc.
• ·         Recreational – Rugby, Unified Sports, Drama Club, Pacific Speech and Debate (Forensics), Board Game Club, Pacific Parkour Club, etc
• ·         Student Media – The Pacific Index (Pacific University student newspaper), Boxer Radio, Silk Road Review (student ran literary magazine), Pacific’s Literature by Undergraduates Magazine (PLUM)

We highly encourage students to join multiple clubs. It is a great way for all students to make new connections with like-minded students, take up potential leadership positions, and get involved on campus/in the community. The most Pacific student are involved with three or four different clubs or organizations throughout their career as a student. Club fair is a highly encouraged event, as well as very exciting.

If students are unable to find a club that fits their desires, we highly encourage starting a new club! All students need to start their own club is seven members and staff or faculty member as their advisor. All this information can be found on the Clubs and Organizations link below!

https://www.pacificu.edu/life-pacific/clubs-organizations

New Coaches 2018

At Pacific, you can play the sport you enjoy, while studying the academics you need for your future career. With nearly one-third of our undergraduate population involved in varsity or club sports, you will be joining an active, spirited community that works hard both on and off the field.

Boxer Nation is excited to welcome new coaching staff. These coaches will be working with students to succeed both on and off the field.

Justin Lunt, Men’s Basketball
The 18/19 season will be his first with Pacific. Before this, he spent 12 years as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Puget Sound. While there, Coach Lunt took the Loggers to seven Northwest Conference Tournament appearances, a Northwest Conference title and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament. He is excited to take Pacific’s Basketball program to the next level!

Alecia Wilson, Women’s Basketball
Prior to Pacific, Coach Wilson spent 4 years as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Whitworth University. She took the Pirates twice to the Northwest Conference Tournament semifinals. Coach Wilson is passionate about guiding student-athletes to success, in all areas of their life. Her two passions are basketball and helping people grow.

Brittany Hartmann, Women’s Lacrosse
Brittany Hartmann was named the new Head Coach for Pacific’s Women’s Lacrosse team this summer. Coach Hartmann previously coached at both Linfield and George Fox, but has returned to her alma mater to take over and lead the Boxers on the field for the 2018-19 season. She is excited to come back to her roots and make the program grow and flourish.

Beth Whittle, Men’s & Women’s Swimming
During her swimming career, Beth Whittle was a 20-time All-American and the recipient of 11 Northwest Conference titles. As a coach, she has been just as successful. While coaching at Macalester College, Washington University in St. Louis, and University of Washington, she took her teams to the top 20 in their respective divisions multiple times each. She can’t wait to lead Boxers to victory!

Become a Boxer!
Pacific University is always looking for quality individuals to become part of the Boxer athletic squads. Pacific competes in the Northwest Conference, one of the toughest small college conferences in the nation. In the past 10 years, Boxer teams have won 12 conference championships and advanced to national tournaments on 14 different occasions. Some of our more successful Boxer athletic alumni include Brett Jefferies '97 (men's basketball, played professionally in Australia), Nick Vorberg '97 (men's soccer, professional indoor goalie) and Rich Burk '88 (baseball, play-by-play announcer for ROOT Sports, Pac-12 Network and the Class A Hillsboro Hops).

NCAA Division I OR NCAA Division II Transfers
If you are a transfer from a NCAA Division I or Division II school, your current institution must provide a "Permission To Contact" letter. This letter must be provided by your current institution and faxed to the Pacific Athletics Department, Attention: Compliance Officer, at 503-352-2209. If a letter is not received, or if your current school does not grant permission, we are unable to talk with you.

NCAA Division III Transfers
Transfers from other NCAA Division III schools may issue their own release ("self-release") to allow Pacific to make contact about a potential transfer. You must fax this letter to the Pacific Athletics Department, Attention: Compliance Officer, at 503-352-2209.

Key Facts About Pacific Athletics
Pacific University is a NCAA Division III institution. Like other Division III schools, Pacific cannot give scholarships based on athletic performance. Other financial aid solutions are available based on academic merit and financial need.

Pacific sponsors 24 intercollegiate sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, indoor/outdoor track & field and wrestling for men; basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor/outdoor track & field, volleyball and wrestling for women. Additionally, club programs are offered for men's and women's handball and rugby as well as cheerleading.

Recruiting Basics
The following links will help you become better informed about the collegiate recruiting process:
NCAAStudent.org: Information about becoming a college athlete, including the NCAA Guide For The College Bound Student-Athlete.
NCAA Eligibility Center: Eligibility information for competing in college athletics.
Pacific Admissions: Learn what it takes to apply to Pacific University and what it takes to be accepted. You can even apply online!

Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS)

At Pacific University, we sincerely believe in helping our students succeed in their area and choice of study.  The academic programs we have are designed to help students find the right pathway but everyone can always use a little help along the way.

We are proud to announce the relaunching of our tutoring program.  Known as the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS), students can now get peer support and tutoring Sunday through Thursday until 10:00pm.  Appointments can be made ahead of time to work around class schedules or students may also go to the kiosk located in the Tran Library on a walk-in basis.
 

Future additions to the program such as conference capability and workshops will also be available for students such as time-management, how to set attainable goals as well as study skills and habits.

CLASS is located on the second floor of Tran Library.  For more information contact, Josie Ragolia, our Student Success Librarian at JRagolia@pacificu.edu.

Visit campus today and get a tour of our beautiful school including Tran Library and the newly launched CLASS.  

Explore the Pacific Northwest and earn College Credit!

At Pacific University, we are proud to say students can explore the many different options nature has to offer.  Students can learn about sustainability and the environment while taking on leadership roles. Take such courses through rock climbing, sea kayaking, rafting and use the skills learned and apply them to everyday activities or future careers.

Our students who minor in Outdoor Pursuits have been able to transition their experiences to fields such as education, psychology, environmental science, business and more.
Tailor Dolguin (Class of 2018), recent Pacific graduate, talks about her experience as an Outdoor Leadership minor and her time here.

Explore the Galapagos Island!

At Pacific University, we offer short-term study abroad opportunities that range from theater programs in England, education programs in New Zealand to environmental sciences in the Galapagos Island. Senior, Wyatt Eng, spent this past winter on the islands and shared his experience.

  

Name: Wyatt Eng

Major: Bioinformatics

Year: 2019

Hometown: Los Altos, California

What brought you to Pacific?

The family atmosphere and personal care that the faculty members provide for us initially attracted me to Pacific University. During the admissions process, Pacific University was the only school that valued me as a person.  I felt like an individual, not just a number.

What got you involved in the trip to the Galapagos Island?

The biology courses that my major requires gave me the proper background to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. I also love exploring the outdoors and thought this trip fit me perfectly.

Do you have to major in biology to be able to go on this trip?

No, we had both major and non-major students on the trip. I took this course to fulfill an upper division major requirement for biology, but you do not have to be a natural science major to go.  

How many credits is it worth?

The class is worth a total of four credits.  The first two credits is a prep course on campus and the last two credits is the trip itself, which took place during the winter term.

Was there a lot of preparation for the trip?

Besides the prerequisite courses, we spent the first two days of our trip in Ecuador to acclimate to the culture, climate and elevation.  All of the meals were provided for so we didn't have to worry about packing extra food. The food was amazing especially all the fresh fish we got to eat.

What was a normal day like on this trip?

We spent most of our time exploring the different habitats and nature on the islands. We island hopped every few days so there was always something new to see.

Did you have a lot of assignments?

We had a few, but they were all relevant and really interesting. There was about 15 of us on the trip, including two professors. We would read primary literature articles assigned to us every day and gather in the evenings to discuss the material as well as a brief recap of the day. We also had to maintain a journal and sketches of the different animals and plant organisms that we encountered. 

What was the most awe inspiring moment?

The whole trip was amazing. The only thing I would change, if I could, would be the duration of the stay. I wish it could have been a longer program. However, all of the abundant plant and animal life on the islands was extremely intriguing. Since Ecuador is located on the equator, the mere thought of exploring the center of the planet was absolutely fantastic. While on the Galápagos Islands, I got to see first-hand how evolution affected different organisms. We also got to see historical landmarks, including the first cove that Charles Darwin himself stepped foot on when he first discovered the Galapagos Islands. Overall, I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone considering the experience.

What were some of your favorite moments?

While we were moving to a new island, our boat got surrounded by a pod of dolphins, which then led us to a pod of whales. This particular moment was simply breathtaking and surreal. Some other moments I loved include getting to spend time at a tortoise preservation center, exploring the Cloud Forest, and connecting with all of the people I went on the trip with. In the end, I got to experience what I learned in the classroom and apply it to real life, showing how this incredible trip could be useful throughout my life

Would you study abroad again?

Hands down, I would! Word of advice: The additional cost was worth every penny. If you have the resources, go for it! Live your dreams!

Check out Wyatt's video of his experience!

Schedule a visit today to learn how you can join the next trip!

Academic Highlight 008: 3+3 Pharmacy

College is a great time to explore the many different programs and opportunities life has to offer.  Some students will take their time before declaring a major, others have a clear vision in which career field they will be going in. 

For those who know Pharmacy is the way to go, Pacific University’s 3+3 pathway may be a great fit.  The curriculum is rigorous but those who enter into the School of Pharmacy through this pathway will be able to receive a doctor in pharmacy in six years instead of the traditional seven or eight years.

Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology and pharmacology the first three years in our undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences.  During this time, students will also attend workshops, work with mentors and professors to build a portfolio and receive a conditional admission to Pacific University’s PharmD program.  Maintain a cumulative weight GPA of a 3.0 or higher and have a guaranteed interview to save an early seat in the School of Pharmacy. 

Pacific’s PharmD program is the only school in the northwest that offers a 3-year program.  Through this program, students can prepare for many different careers such as pharmacists, health systems, drug research and many more.

Learn more by scheduling a visit to our campus! 

Forest Grove: Home of the oldest chartered university in Oregon!

After visiting Pacific University, many comment on how friendly our staff, faculty and student are.  The uniqueness of our campus does not stop within our campus but extends to our small town of Forest Grove, Oregon.  Home to roughly about 24,000 residents, the city and university have a long-standing history of not just working together but also growing.

Students have the advantage to walk onto Main Street, about a 3-minute walk from campus, to enjoy the local mom and pop restaurants.  Residents and visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the local Willamette Valley’s famous Pinot Noir, watch a show at the local theater, enjoy Hagg Lake and other outdoor nature trails or simply enjoy the live music during the community Farmer’s Market. 

Although Forest Grove is small, the town is proud of its rich culture and diversity.  Forest Grove boasts small town feel but also brings in rich culture and diversity.  Adelante Mujeres is “among the leading nonprofit organizations working to education and empower low-income Latina women and families in the state of Oregon.”  One of the results of their hard work is the Forest Grove Farmer’s Market and the Dia de los Muertos.   Partnering with them is the non-profit Valley Art Gallery that hosts the annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival. 

Swing by to hear the International Quartet Champions and have a chance to take a photo next to the world’s tallest barber pole located in our football field.  Or stay at the local McMenamins Grand Lodge that offers a restaurant with handcrafted drinks, theater and live music and events.  The location is an eclectic mix or something for everyone in the family, just like Forest Grove.

Oregon Private College Week 2018

With the school year coming to an end, we are seeing an influx of prospective students and families visiting and touring different campuses.   Organizing and coordinating the numerous times and appointments can be tricky; especially when there is more than one school involved. 

The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities has worked together with private universities and colleges throughout the state of Oregon to find an easy solution to help with scheduling. 

Participate in the annual Oregon Private College Week, July 23^rd through the 27^th!  Registration is free and open for all families and students.  During Oregon Private College Week, 11 private institutions across the state of Oregon will have two sessions each day for families to easily register and visit.   Morning sessions will begin fromr9:00 am to 11:30 am and afternoon sessions will be from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.  Get a side by side comparison of these amazing institutions and learn about academic programs, campus life and much more.

The eleven institutions participating are:

Visitors can go to as many as you would like to or as few as you would like. Register today!

The “Right” Fit

Often families will hear about finding the “right” fit; that perfect university that embodies everything the student wants in a university experience.  So, what exactly is the right college and how do you know if it is right for you?

As each individual is different, the types of criteria one looks for in a university experience will be vastly different.  Just as Goldilocks found, trying on a school by experiencing the campus in person is the best way to find your new school.  Here are just a few common criteria students look at and questions to ask yourself when looking for the right school.

Location:  Is the student looking to attend school in state or out of state?  Some students want to be close enough to be able to drive home on the weekends while other students are happy to explore a new state and its surrounding areas.  It is also common for other factors such as geography, climate to play an important role in a student’s list of schools.  For example, a student may feel that it is critical to have access to a nearby coast, or to have ready access to the city, the forest and the mountains.  Looking at states in the same time zone is something to consider.  What may be an easy phone call home, will become a little more difficult or inconvenient with even just an hour time difference.

Size: What size school is the right size?  Larger, public universities versus smaller private schools have very different environments on campus.  Depending on the campus, lectures will be more like classes.  Is it important for students to get to know their professors?  If so, attending a smaller campus will offer opportunities for personalized support that a larger institution may not be able to provide.  Some students prefer anonymity.  If being noticed by professors might make students feel uncomfortable and confined, a larger school might be a better fit.

Tuition and scholarships:  Being able to afford a college education is one of the biggest struggles many families face.  Attending a college is expensive but do not walk away without asking about the different scholarships that are available.  While the price tag may seem high, schools will offer scholarships and grants to help offset the cost of attendance.  Families will make decisions based on one year’s tuition cost.  Remember to think long-term about what the value of the education will be.  Private education may carry a higher price tag but the number of students who are able to graduate within four years are likely going to be higher than students who attend public universities.  It is important to take a step back, look at the whole picture, and think about how this will affect not only finances but future career and internship opportunities.  One of the greatest things about Pacific University is that we have a 4-year graduation guarantee and offer amazing merit-based, need-based and talent based scholarships.  With our smaller class sizes, students get to really know their professors and are able to ask them to write letters of recommendation for many important milestones post college graduation (internships, job or graduate school).

Feel/Intuition: One factor we cannot ignore at Pacific University, is the number of students who have told us they knew the minute they stepped onto campus that this was the school for them.  Being able to find a place where they can call home away from home is not easy so this is not something to overlook.  The campus will be where students become adults and transition, for many, on their own for the very first time.  That gut feeling shouldn’t go ignored.

There are many ways for students to find the right fit.  Visiting a campus is the first step!  Schedule a visit to Pacific University and get a chance to tour the campus and meet with an admissions counselor.

College Readiness 101: Timeline

The relaxing, fun days of summer are upon us! Although it seems counterintuitive, summer vacation is the perfect time to start working on your strategy for college search. The question that gets asked most often by students is, “Where do I start?” This Pacific College Readiness Timeline will give you a good idea of what steps you need to take to apply to Pacific and the other colleges you are considering.

Month:	Dates and Deadlines:	Tasks:
June	ü  RSVP to Oregon Private College Week (side by side comparison of private schools in Oregon) ü  Common Application for 2019-2020 opens first week of August - Start your application! ü  SAT or ACT registration for 2018-2019 begins	ü  Compile a list of colleges that interest you ü  Look at campus tour times and dates & visit college campuses ü  Start thinking about essay prompts to write for your college application ü  Write rough drafts of your college essays ü  Create a professional email account to use solely for your college search ü  Start a CommonApp account ü  List the schools you will be applying to and get to know their admissions process Tip: Visiting a variations of colleges will help narrow your search: big vs. small schools, in-state, out-of-state etc.
July
August
September	ü  Attend Senior Preview Day to earn a $4,000 scholarship	ü  Fine tune your college essay ü  Ask for letter of recommendations as early as possible ü  Check and read your email regularly ü  Check-in with your admissions counselor to double check all documents have been submitted
October	ü  Submit your FAFSA application; opens Oct. 1st
November
December	ü  Application deadline for Pacesetter Honor’s Day consideration	ü  Check to make sure your application is complete by contacting your counselor ü  Start & submit applications for Special Talent and Award Scholarships
January	ü  Special Talent and Award Scholarship application deadline coming up ü  RSVP & Waitlist for Pacesetter Honor’s Day	ü  Finish applications for Special Talent and Award Scholarships ü  Add yourself to the Facebook page: Pacific University Class of 2023
February	ü  Financial aid letters sent via U.S. Mail and online	ü  Last chance to earn a Senior Preview Day scholarship
March	ü  RSVP for Spring Receptions: deposit in person while meeting other future Boxers	ü  Final campus visits ü  Connect with assigned Financial Aid advisors to get all your questions answered ü  Log into Facebook and watch the bi-monthly Live Q&A videos featuring current students
April
May	ü  National College Decision Day is May 1st	ü  Deposit to become an official Boxer! ü  Regularly check PacificU.edu email for communications from various departments

If you have any questions about applying to Pacific or the college search process, please reach out to our admissions team at admissions@pacificu.edu or 503.352.2218