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 

Why Pacific? ~ Destiny's Story

Name: Destiny
Major: Biology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Lake Arrowhead, California

What was your college search like?

My college search was guided by my career goal of becoming a physical therapist. I had only applied to 4 or 5 different colleges but I had made sure that each one contained my major and was able to get me onto the right path for my career. I also had a general idea of what I was looking for in a college and location, which helped narrow my search even more.
 
How did you hear about Pacific University?

I heard about Pacific online while I was searching for colleges that had health professions/pre-med courses and that’s when Pacific Health Professions Education (HPE) program had popped up. After further research I learned that this program offered a great advantage into getting an interview with one of Pacific’s graduate schools and I wasn't going to surpass this offer.

What was your first Pacific visit like?

My first visit to Pacific was actually the day I was registering for classes and meeting with my advisor. I hadn’t had the chance to visit before I accepted to come to Pacific, but I had looked up pictures of campus and the town surrounding it. I was amazed by how beautiful the campus was, the scenery was vibrant and green when compared to California’s national forests that I’m used to. I felt at peace being on campus, everyone I met was beyond friendly and helpful, it felt as though I had belonged here which was great feeling since it was now my new home for the next four years.

Why Pacific?

There were a few main reason why I had choose Pacific over all the other schools I was accepted into. I liked the fact that I was able to get involved with the HPE program, which would help turn my career goals into a reality. Pacific was more personal than any other school I applied to, I lovedthe fact that I had received hand written letters in the mail as well as getting personal phone calls from current Pacific students and my admissions counselor. I figured since Pacific was making a huge effort to make their incoming students feel welcomed then it would be the right choice for me. I also liked the fact that Pacific was a small private university, so it gives you the opportunity to know you professors on a personal level and there’s not a chance that you’ll be lost in the system as you would at a bigger school.

Are you happy with your college choice?

There’s going to be a time in your decision process where you start to question whether or not you made the right choice and if you ended up where you needed to be and Pacific is exactly that for me. I love the fact that I know each and every professor on a personal level and that they are always willing to work with us students so we can succeed.  It’s also nice to see professors on campus and having the opportunity to have conversations with them outside of the classroom.  This is something that a larger school wouldn't be able to offer their students and I think that this makes Pacific more personal for students.
 
What are you involved in at Pacific?

I’m a part of the admissions student workers here, as well as a part of an intramural sports team. In the past, I was a part of Outdoor Pursuits and helped lead the white water rafting Voyage which was an amazing experience and I would highly suggest any freshmen take part in the Voyages program.

What are you planning on doing with the rest of your time at Pacific?

I plan to finish my Biology major as well as try to finish up my Exercise Science minor. I also plan to do some research and gain more knowledge from the amazing faculty here.

What are your plans after Pacific?


After Pacific I plan on attending medical school so that I could pursue my goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. There are many different paths to becoming a surgeon, but I think that I may become an Air Force surgeon so that I help give back to those who need it.

Academic Highlight 007: Environmental Sciences

Academic Highlight 007:
Environmental Sciences

Here at Pacific University we want to empower students to find news ways to support the environment and sustainable development. That's why we have 5 different programs within our Environmental Studies department (click on each to read more):

Environmental Biology
Environmental Science
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Environmental Studies: Policy, Culture and Society, and
Applied Sustainability

Our students can learn anything from Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology to Permaculture Design Science and Geospatial Analysis of ecological systems in specific geographic locations. We even have a professor who's working to save the world, one bird at a time (watch here)!

Basically, what we're trying to say, is that if you want to study the Environment and how to support it, we've got your back.

Do you want to help keep our environment healthy for generations to come? Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that's helping passionate Environmental Scientists to change the world by helping others live healthier and happier lives.

The Annual Pacific University Lu'au

Our 57th annual Lu'au is coming up on April 8th, and we are more excited than ever.

Each year, we put together the largest Lu'au on the mainland, and we're proud of it.

Why?

Because we believe in giving students knowledge and experiences that broaden their perspectives of the world and the people around them. Students from all over the map participate in our Lu'au, increasing the community learning experience of the event.

So, not only do you get to watch an amazing show and eat delicious food, you also are enriched with a broader understanding of our world, different cultures, and the people that make everything special.

New and diverse experiences are things we deeply value here at Pacific, and we’re excited that you do too. Come see what we’re all about: contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit.

Environmental Action Clubs

Our students care here; even in their clubs.

Our passion for environmental action and advocacy even extends beyond the classes, our Leed-certified buildings, and our passionate professors; it's in the day to day actions of our students.

It's in their conscious consumer habits.
It's in their mindful transportation choices.
It's in their encouragement of our community to "grow green" with us.

From our club for our own certified organic B-Street Farm, to our Animal Ethics club, to our campus group of Students for Environmental Activism (SEA), our students care. 

They care about taking what they learn in the classroom into the world to do good for others and for earth.

Whether these clubs are hosting advocacy events surrounding Earth Day or encouraging more sustainable, small, daily choices, our students are helping all of us to become better citizens of our planet.

Want to join in our students' efforts, both in and out of the classroom, to create a more sustainable future? We sure would love it if you did. Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University with clubs that care.

Academic Highlight 006: Music Therapy

Academic Highlight 006

Music Therapy

Do you like music? How about helping people?
Music Therapy just might be the perfect fit for you.

Here at Pacific, we are always looking for new ways to help make the lives of others better. One way that we do that is by giving students who are passionate about both music and helping professions a way to directly blend both of their passions into one field of study. Not only that, but you will also graduate ready to become Nationally certified as a professional music therapist:

"The bachelor of music therapy degree offers musicians the opportunity to take their talents into the healing and helping professions. Provisionally accredited by the American Music Therapy Association, the music therapy program is a rigorous, five-year course of study that includes a year-long internship with a board certified professional and prepares students to sit for national certification."

You will take courses in music, psychology, physiology, healthcare ethics, and philosophy, and will even have a year-long hands-on experience built in to your education. So, if you are ready to take your passion for music into a helping profession, we are here to empower you in that process.

So, do you want to join us in using music to help others live life to the fullest? Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that's helping passionate Music Therapists to change the world by helping others live healthier and happier lives.

Why Pacific? ~ Nicole's Story

Name: Nicole Mari Paz J. Corpuz

Major: Biology

Year: 2018

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii 

What was your college search like?

     When I was applying for college, I wanted to go to a small university. In high school, I went on a college tour that visited schools with big campuses. Since that tour, I knew that I wanted to attend a school that had small class sizes where my professors would know my name, and I would be more than just another person taking up a seat in a lecture hall. In addition, I wanted to make sure the college I attended was a school that my family and I could afford. Also, choosing a school that had a pharmacy program was an ideal factor as well. Lastly, wanting to leave the islands and experience going to school was a huge factor for me. 

How did you hear about Pacific University?

     It was near the end of my junior year when I heard that my old high school counselor was returning to Oregon to work for Admissions at Pacific University. Then, the following year, Uncle Jeff and Uncle Gary came to school to give a presentation about the Pacific, where we were fortunate enough to Skype with my old counselor. Seeing that Pacific had an accelerated pharmacy school and gave out scholarships for your grades, I knew that Pacific University was a great option. 

What was your first Pacific visit like?

     It was the end of January when I visited Pacific during a Pacesetters day. I remember driving to Forest Grove using the back roads, and I saw how different it was from back home. My mom and I wanted to cross Pacific out of our list, but because of the academics, the people, and the campus environment, Pacific was still in the running. 

Visit Campus for a $4,000 Scholarship!

Why Pacific?

     Pacific was the only school, in my opinion, that made a personal connection with me as a senior in high school. Having that sense of belonging, I knew I was excited to go to college already. Also, in March, there was a reception that my mom and I attended. I remember at the end of the reception, my mom and I, along with so many other people went to speak with Karen, the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment. The line was so long we wondered if it was really worth it because she was so busy. I remember while waiting in line, she turned towards us and asked for us to wait because she was going to give us a chance to speak with her. This was my mom’s first experience with the application process here in the U.S., and for someone with such a high title to make time for you reaffirmed that sense of belonging. 

Are you happy with your college choice?

     I am beyond thankful for attending Pacific University for it has opened SO MANY doors for me. Every time I return home or even think about how I was in high school, I am so proud of myself of how I matured throughout the years. Each year I find myself joining more clubs, participating in more extra-curricular activities, and just putting myself in positions where I continue to grow. I am very thankful for being here and being able to experience this dream of mine.

What are you involved in at Pacific?

     I am a member of Pre-Pharmacy Club, Biology Club, Chemistry Club, STATs club, and Hawaii club. In Hawaii club, I co-chair in two committees, PAC Decorations (decorating for our annual luau) and Floral. In addition, I work in Admissions as a receptionist, I am a tour guide, and a member of our Current Student Panel. My sophomore year, I was a student ambassador that worked the few weeks before school started by helping with the freshman orientation. 

What are you planning on doing with the rest of your time at Pacific?

     With the remaining time at Pacific, I choose to involve myself in positions that help me to grow. I want to finish up taking classes required for my major, and maybe squeeze in classes to work on a Public Health minor. There are just so many resources here at Pacific to connect me with the right people and I know that Pacific continues to shape me into the well-rounded person that have become. I can't wait to see how much I've accomplished by the time I graduate!

What are your plans after Pacific?

     After Pacific, I hope to attend Pacific's School of Pharmacy, and, one day, I hope to work in California or back home in Hawaii. In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy every second and moment I make whether it be studying, with friends, or participating in school events. Well, because at Pacific, every day is a learning opportunity and another chance to better myself for the future ahead.