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!