Oct 07, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Undergraduate Admission Requirements


Acceptance Deposit

Procedures for Freshman Applicants

Procedures for Transfer Applicants

Transfer Credit

Procedures for International Undergraduate Applicants

 

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Readmission After Absence 

Credits for Prior Experiential Learning (AP, CLEP, DANTES, IB)

Advantage Scholars Program

Limited Enrollment for High School Students

 


Pacific University seeks to admit students who demonstrate the skills necessary to be successful in a rigorous academic environment, with primary consideration given to academic preparation and potential for successful study at the college level. Preparation is assessed by evaluating documents such as official high school, college preparatory and college transcripts, recommendations, standardized test scores, written essays and other information submitted by applicants.

Pacific University undergraduate applications are available through the Common Application at www.commonapp.org. Students also can link to the Common App at http://www.pacificu.edu/admissions/applications/apply_undergrad.cfm. Undergraduate admission is offered on a rolling basis with an Early Action deadline of November 1 for fall of the application year. Please refer to the Common Application for all relevant undergraduate application deadlines and other pertinent details.

Information for international undergraduate applicants can be found at www.pacificu.edu/intl.

Acceptance Deposit

To secure a place in the incoming class, a $200 deposit is required of all admitted undergraduate students by May 1. $100 is credited to tuition charges during the first semester. The remaining $100 is placed in a general account and held until the student leaves the University. If there is a balance on the account at the time the student leaves the University, this $100 amount is applied to the outstanding balance. Any portion remaining then is refunded to the student. If there is no outstanding balance at the time, the $100 is refunded in full in a timely manner.

Procedures for Freshman Applicants

Submit the following:

  • Completed online Freshman Application
  • $40 non-refundable application fee
  • Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
  • Recommendation form from high school counselor, teacher or appropriate faculty member
  • Official high school transcript
  • Official transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended
  • Official SAT I or ACT scores

To be eligible for federal financial aid, accepted applicants also must submit proof of high school completion, which can be shown through one of the following:

  • a final high school transcript showing graduation date
  • a high school diploma (or its equivalent) showing graduation date
  • an official document showing a passing grade on the General Education Development (GED) examination

Procedures for Transfer Applicants

Submit the following:

  • Completed Transfer Application
  • $40 non-refundable application fee
  • Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
  • Letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, teacher or appropriate faculty member
  • Official high school transcript*
  • Official transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended
  • Official SAT I or ACT scores**

* Not required of applicants who have completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter transferable credits by the time of application, although all students earning college credit prior to graduating from high school are encouraged to submit official high school transcripts to aid in the evaluation of those credits for transfer.

** Not required of applicants who have completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter transferable credits by the time of application.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, accepted applicants also must submit proof of high school completion, which can be shown through one of the following:

  • a final high school transcript showing graduation date
  • a high school diploma (or its equivalent) showing graduation date
  • an official document showing a passing grade on the General Education Development (GED) examination

Those with 60 or more semester credits (90 quarter credits) of transferable college-level coursework earned at a regionally accredited college or university may not need to provide proof of high school completion. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Transfer Credit

Pacific University accepts, for transfer, coursework and credits comparable in nature, content, academic quality, and academic level to the coursework expected of the relevant Pacific degree program, according to evaluation criteria and transfer limits determined by each College, School, and/or Program. To meet minimum comparability criteria, coursework must be college-level rather than developmental, must have been designed to deliver assessed learning outcomes, and must have been earned at regionally accredited institutions that were at least in accreditation candidacy at the time that the coursework was completed. Credit awarded through exams cannot receive duplicate credit through transfer transcriptions. No Pacific program transfers in courses with grades below C-; some programs have higher minimum grade requirements. See specific degree pages for transfer information particular to those degrees. All Pacific undergraduate degrees require that at least 30 of the final 40 credits for a degree be earned at Pacific. In all cases, the Pacific GPA includes only grades earned at Pacific University.

Academic programs determine the criteria according to which particular transfer credits may meet specific program requirements, serve as prerequisites, or apply as elective credits. While students may receive preliminary evaluation of credit transferability during the admissions process, final determination of credit transfer and applicability is completed only in relation to official transcripts as processed by the Registrar’s Office.

Exceptions to transfer policies may be made at the university or program levels on a case by case basis, when special circumstances warrant.

Students transferring in coursework from institutions on a quarter system should be aware that one semester credit is worth 1.5 quarter credits, such that a credit earned in a quarter system transfers in as .67 of a semester credit.

Procedures for International Undergraduate Applicants

Submit the following:

  • Completed Common Application (www.commonapp.org)
  • $40 non-refundable application fee
  • Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
  • One letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, teacher or appropriate faculty member
  • Official high school transcript(s) showing graduation date
    • If an original document is not in English, a certified English translation also must be submitted
  • Official transcript(s) of any college work
    • If an original document is not from an American college or university, a certified English translation and course evaluation from a company such as WES (www.wes.org) or AACRAO (www.aacrao.org) also must be submitted
  • TOEFL Scores or IELTS Scores or PTE Academic Scores
    • The institutional code for TOEFL is 4601
  • Financial Statement Form/Affidavit of Support from the sponsor
  • Original copy of the bank statement from the sponsor that was issued within the last six months
  • Copy of the information page from applicant’s passport
  • Additional information may be requested

For more information, contact: International Admissions, Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, U.S.A.
Phone: + 1.503.352.2218 Fax: + 1.503.352.2975
Email: intladmissions@pacificu.edu Web: www.pacificu.edu/intl
Skype: pacificu.international Facebook: International Admissions Facebook

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Enrolling as an undergraduate degree-seeking student requires English proficiency. This can be proven by graduating from an American high school, or by earning a TOEFL score of at least 79 (iBT), 550 (paper), or an IELTS score of at least 6.5. Pacific University offers conditional admission to applicants who meet the academic requirements for admission but have yet to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. Contact intladmissions@pacificu.edu for more information.

Readmission After Absence 

Students wanting to return to Pacific University after an absence of any length must apply for readmission at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester. Students who have attended courses at other academic institutions during their time away from Pacific must submit official transcripts, along with their application for readmission. Contact Academic and Career Advising at advisingcenter@pacificu.edu.

Credits for Prior Experiential Learning (CPEL)

CPEL will be applied to a student’s Pacific record and will only be awarded after a student completes an enrollment deposit. Official transcripts or score reports must be sent to and received by Pacific University’s Registrar’s Office. Acceptance of CPEL may result in either awarding of credits, or the waiving of course/credit requirements, or a combination of both.

Pacific students may earn CPEL in the following ways:

Advanced Placement (AP)

Students may only earn credit once for each course. If Pacific has transferred credit previously awarded from a college or university for a high school AP class then the student cannot have additional credit awarded for the AP test score of 4 or 5. Actual placement in Pacific courses depends on the student’s preparation and is arranged through the appropriate department. See the AP Tests, Scores, Equivalencies  list for acceptable tests and scores.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit may be granted for both subject and general CLEP examinations. Each department decides whether a specific CLEP examination may substitute for a specific course or entrance requirement. Most CLEP exams with an earned score of 53 or higher equate to four general or content-specific elective credits. See the CLEP Exams, Scores, Equivalencies  list for more information.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Credit may be granted for DANTES tests with a score of 434 (B grade equivalent score) or higher and will equate to four general or content-specific elective credits. Each department decides whether a specific DANTES/DSST may substitute for a specific course or entrance requirement. See the IB Tests, Scores, and Equivalencies  list for more information.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Students completing the IB Diploma with a score of 30 or higher receive several benefits, including sophomore standing. Eight semester credits also are awarded for each higher examination passed with a score of 5 or higher and four credits for standard examinations passed with 5 or higher. 

Students may only earn credit once for each course. If Pacific has transferred credit previously awarded from a college or university for a high school IB class then the student cannot have additional credit awarded for the IB diploma or test score of 5 or higher. See the IB Tests, Scores, and Equivalencies  list for more information.

Andego Internships Abroad Program

Students who complete a year-long internship in France via the Andego Internships Abroad Program prior to coming to Pacific University may apply to receive 12 credits for prior learning experience (CPEL) apportioned as 6 general education credits, 4 credits counted as the equivalency of WORL 365  , and 2 credits counted as the equivalency of a lower-division FREN course. 

Advantage Scholars Program

The Pacific University Advantage Program offers students rigorous preparation for careers in the health professions through a combination of coursework, advising, observational hours, experiential learning opportunities, and assistance with the application process. In addition, students in the Advantage Program may apply for an early decision for admission to Pacific’s health professions programs during their junior year. Advantage Scholars who successfully complete all program requirements will be offered one guaranteed interview with the Pacific University Graduate or Professional Program of their choice. Successful early-decision applicants will thus be able to complete their senior year with the knowledge that they have a space held for them in one of Pacific’s graduate or professional programs, provided they continue to perform well in their coursework and meet standards. For more information, contact the program coordinator at 503-352-2845. http://www.pacificu.edu/career/pathways/advantage/

Limited Enrollment for High School Students/Tualatin Academy @ Pacific University

Academically talented high school students may enroll as non-degree-seeking students for one course per semester on a space-available basis. Tualatin Academy @ Pacific University is an option that provides tuition-free non-degree-seeking registration for select individuals on a limited basis. For information, contact the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences at 503-352-2201.