Pacific University Top Questions

Don't stay close to home - travel across the country if need be - you'll become a better person because of it.

Be sure that you have an open mind when looking for a place to spend the next 4 years. When I was looking, I wanted a place that was similar to my high school, which I immediately thought was probably a mistake, but I ended up going to that school anyway and having more opportunities than if I were to have gone to a state school or larger private school. Make sure you feel welcomed at the school you're looking at, and if it feels off, don't do it! It's your money, you shouldn't feel forced into doing something expensive that you're not going to benefit from! And it's okay to have a social life, school is important, but don't neglect yourself while slaving away over that 20 page research paper. Take a break, have some fun!

Visit the college you plan on attending, stay the night there and try to meet new people right away. Don't think about home too much too early on, make friends and involve yourself on campus

Try to figure out what exactly it is that you want to do after you graduate. Know exactly what kind of school that you want to go to. A big public school in the city where you are pretty much just another student or a small private college out of the city where the staff and faculty know you by name. Look for a school that has many different things to offer, academically and socially. Look for a school that has many travel classes like Pacific University. I think by traveling, you can learn much more than inside of the classroom. You should also know about how challenging the school you choose is academically and be ready to meet those challenges. I suggest that a student should consider taking general education requirements at a community college where it is cheaper and then transferring to a 4-year college ready to focus on their major.

I would tell new parents to encourage their student to take up new hobbies and try new things. Also to tell their son or daughter no matter what they do how much they are proud of them and how much they love them. That really helps. To new students I would advise them to just go out and make new friends, even if it means just going to the person across the hall. Your peers wont judge you or hate you if you decide not to go out with them they will understand. Also don't be afraid to ask for help even if it is from another student. Also make an appointment during your teachers office hours if you have to. At times things will be overwhelming and hard and you will just want to quit, but don't just call a friend, your parents or someone you trust and talk about how you are feeling because it really helps. If you don't want to be alone find someone you feel comfortable around and just have a movie night or just do your homework together. Those are just a few thingsI would advise one to doing.

When I first started looking at colleges and universities toward the end of high school, a tour guide at the University of Idaho gave me some incredible advice: "When you're looking around at colleges and campuses, one of them will immediately feel like home. That is where you should end up." I took this advice to heart as I continued my search. I visited more than 10 college campuses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Montana. When I came across Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, I knew I had found my home away from home. The campus is in a small town similar to my own, but is also a short car or train ride from Portland; there are less than 1,500 students and a great student-professor ratio; every student I met was very welcoming; and the university provides great financial aid for those who have a hard time affording the tuition. It was perfect. So my advice is this: think about what you want to get out of your university experience and, as you continue your college search, you will find someplace where you feel like you belong. That is where you should end up.

It is never too early to begin looking at prospective colleges for yourself. Plan early and do as much research as you possibly can to be sure that you find the right college for yourself. Most high schools, if not all of them, bring in Admissions Directors or Admissions Counselors to speak to students about the college they work for. It is extremely useful to go to as many of these as possible because you should have an open mind about each college when you first begin to look around. You should have enough research done to choose your top five, or even top ten colleges. Visit colleges when you get the chance, and look into the application processes for each college. Do everything you can to prepare yourself for what lies ahead of you after you graduate from high school.

Know if you're a city person or a small town person. Know if you want to be able to talk to your professors, know if you like to be more than a number. Many people are happy in very large schools, but I believe, even if you think it would be best to blend in, you will get more out of your experience if you are expected to interact with those knowledgable in your field. Even at a small school 1200 people, there can be people in your major that you never see. Which I think is good. You don't want to have to see everyone all the time. It's all about financial aid too...do not go to a school where you will have loans for the rest of your life. Save it for grad school or something else. You want to be debt free.

When applying for colleges, the first step is deciding what you want from staff, students, and the school itself. I wanted to attend a small university with open-minded and diverse students and staff. I wanted easier access to available help. Of course I also wanted a great education and a university that opened many doors for me and allowed me to reach my full potential. After you decide what is right for you, reasearch colleges, visit campuses, talk to administrators or students who attend(ed) those colleges. However, the best advice I received during high school was to not let money interfere with my decision. Of course finances are a huge part of the decision process--but there is always help. There are endless amounts of scholarships, financial aid, and loans. So get a head start and fill out applications as soon as possible. The earlier you apply, the higher your chances are of getting accepted and receiving more financial aid as well. I chose Pacific University and it is everything I wanted and more.

The only way to really feel out a school and know if it could be the right one for you is to physically visit campus. Get a feel for the surroundings, meet a professor or two, talk to other staff and students, taste some of the every day food (not just what they feed you at organized events), visit the library... You'll be able to get an impression of how the school really is based on your comfort level and observations that will tell you much more than the school website or other reviews can. Just remember that when you go on a tour or to a university sponsored event you are seeing the school as they want you to view it- not necessarily the most accurate lens. Take your time and really get to know the school!