The classes here are phenomenal. The professors interact directly with each student, and the class sizes stay small enough that you get to know your profs really well. This is not high school where you have to agree with the teacher because that's what's expected. Here, the profs encourage you to think for yourself and disagree with them. In an academic setting, of course, meaning you still have to respect that they are your instructor. But that's not hard, because the profs are good enough that most likely, you will respect them anyway. And they respect you back as students, which helps you to learn more. Yes, the work load can be killer, but it wouldn't be college, much less a private college, if you didn't have to actually work to get the grade and the education you are paying for.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
If not for certain class requirements, I almost never leave campus. The whole campus is gorgeous and so alive, and almost everything you could possibly need is within a few minutes walking distance of your dorm, if you live on campus. The town of Forest Grove is cool, too, and many of the best spots are within walking distance of campus, as well. There's a Walmart a short drive down the road if you need anything that you can't find in the vicinity. And, of course, Portland is about 45 minutes away, accessible by car or public transport.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
It's super spendy to get into, but it is well worth it. The community at Pacific alone makes it a worthwhile college. You will never lack support from your professors or peers here, and it's easy to feel safe wherever you go on campus. The level of academia and the quality of education is well worth the $40,000+ figure. And, although grades are not the most important thing, they help a lot. There are tons of scholarships, academic as well as merit, available through the school and its departments that can apply for. Work study opportunities are just about endless, and there are jobs on campus as well as off that can appeal to anybody, no matter what their interests or schedules.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
+Go to Pacific's bookstore website early on in the summer to get your book list for your classes. You always have the option of finding the books you need from that site and ordering them elsewhere, but they also offer a great rental program that is easy to afford on just about any budget.
+Ask for help! The professors are more than happy to help you out if you need it, but won't know that you're struggling if you don't ask. They are very approachable and easy to talk to, so don't be afraid of them just because they have a Ph.D. and you don't. If you still don't feel comfortable asking your prof, there are any number of great on campus resources you can go to for help, and many of them have student volunteers that may be easier for you to talk to.
+Get involved in something. There's plenty of sports, especially now that Pacific brought back football. There's clubs for just about anybody, whether you're a biology or math fan or all about cancer research and prevention. There are tons of music groups for you to join, from symphonic band to orchestra to the chamber singers and more. The Theater Department has a full schedule lined up with any number of plays that you can get involved in, and even if you don't act, you can get down and dirty building sets in the scene shop or helping put together costumes in the costume shop.
+Don't come with a bad attitude or crummy work ethic. Someone once said that college is the only institute you /pay/ to get into but relish your days off. Just because you have a free day, remember that the weekend ends on Monday morning, and even though the professors are cool, they will still get grumpy if you don't have your act (and your homework) together. Don't put things off until the last minute and throw crap essays together the night before, because it's easy for profs to tell when that's the case. And don't think you can just skip readings because you have too much other work. Even if you just skim the chapter and get an idea...
Which types of students will excel at your college?
+Anyone who simply loves to learn
+Anyone who likes getting involved in stuff
+Anyone from a small town (it's a small campus, apparently)
+Anyone looking for a change of pace
+Anyone who thinks a great college name is the clincher on a good resume (although we all know that it's what you do at college that matters, not where you went, right?)
+And anyone who thinks having a mythical creature as a mascot is awesome.
The classes here are phenomenal. The professors interact directly with each student, and the class sizes stay small enough that you get to know your profs really well. This is not high school where you have to agree with the teacher because that's what's expected. Here, the profs encourage you to think for yourself and disagree with them. In an academic setting, of course, meaning you still have to respect that they are your instructor. But that's not hard, because the profs are good enough that most likely, you will respect them anyway. And they respect you back as students, which helps you to learn more. Yes, the work load can be killer, but it wouldn't be college, much less a private college, if you didn't have to actually work to get the grade and the education you are paying for.
If not for certain class requirements, I almost never leave campus. The whole campus is gorgeous and so alive, and almost everything you could possibly need is within a few minutes walking distance of your dorm, if you live on campus. The town of Forest Grove is cool, too, and many of the best spots are within walking distance of campus, as well. There's a Walmart a short drive down the road if you need anything that you can't find in the vicinity. And, of course, Portland is about 45 minutes away, accessible by car or public transport.
It's super spendy to get into, but it is well worth it. The community at Pacific alone makes it a worthwhile college. You will never lack support from your professors or peers here, and it's easy to feel safe wherever you go on campus. The level of academia and the quality of education is well worth the $40,000+ figure. And, although grades are not the most important thing, they help a lot. There are tons of scholarships, academic as well as merit, available through the school and its departments that can apply for. Work study opportunities are just about endless, and there are jobs on campus as well as off that can appeal to anybody, no matter what their interests or schedules.
+Go to Pacific's bookstore website early on in the summer to get your book list for your classes. You always have the option of finding the books you need from that site and ordering them elsewhere, but they also offer a great rental program that is easy to afford on just about any budget. +Ask for help! The professors are more than happy to help you out if you need it, but won't know that you're struggling if you don't ask. They are very approachable and easy to talk to, so don't be afraid of them just because they have a Ph.D. and you don't. If you still don't feel comfortable asking your prof, there are any number of great on campus resources you can go to for help, and many of them have student volunteers that may be easier for you to talk to. +Get involved in something. There's plenty of sports, especially now that Pacific brought back football. There's clubs for just about anybody, whether you're a biology or math fan or all about cancer research and prevention. There are tons of music groups for you to join, from symphonic band to orchestra to the chamber singers and more. The Theater Department has a full schedule lined up with any number of plays that you can get involved in, and even if you don't act, you can get down and dirty building sets in the scene shop or helping put together costumes in the costume shop. +Don't come with a bad attitude or crummy work ethic. Someone once said that college is the only institute you /pay/ to get into but relish your days off. Just because you have a free day, remember that the weekend ends on Monday morning, and even though the professors are cool, they will still get grumpy if you don't have your act (and your homework) together. Don't put things off until the last minute and throw crap essays together the night before, because it's easy for profs to tell when that's the case. And don't think you can just skip readings because you have too much other work. Even if you just skim the chapter and get an idea...
+Anyone who simply loves to learn +Anyone who likes getting involved in stuff +Anyone from a small town (it's a small campus, apparently) +Anyone looking for a change of pace +Anyone who thinks a great college name is the clincher on a good resume (although we all know that it's what you do at college that matters, not where you went, right?) +And anyone who thinks having a mythical creature as a mascot is awesome.