Pacific Lutheran University Top Questions

Everyone is a slave to their own desires. The desire to be recognized, loved, healthy, and successful. Desires can be obtained through hard-work, intelligence, passion, and fate. All human beings in this global community shares the same ultimate desire of life; the desire to be happy. Happiness is the sum of the various levels of fulfillments in one?s life. The fundamental base for many of our own desires is a college education. Therefore, a college education is essential. Be an active pursuer who has the ability to hold the reins of your future. It is necessary to have a college major in sight and a second for back-up, a set of goals, and an extensive network of connections. Charge at your goals and be a calculating but not overly critical pursuer. Be aware that your plan could change unexpectedly, and that is okay. However, do not lose your enthusiasm and focus. Build relationships with the individuals within the various communities in your life. Connections will enhance your life with friendships and opportunities. What you have accomplished in college will determine the optimism of what is ahead. Invest in yourself. Work hard will be awarded.

If i could go back in time, I would tell myself to make more guy friends. I went to Orientation and met lots of girls, and the complex emotional craziness was not the best thing to subject myself to. Also, I would make sure to tell myself to get a good night's sleep every night. But I think the most important advice I would give myself is to not put so much importance on my piano. I got very disappointed when I realized that people were better than me and that a performance major was not a good idea. So I would tell myself to not expect to be the best.

?You need to be very wise about what college you decide on, dear. It?s a major choice! You?ll spend the next four years there, make everlasting friendships and establish a career,? I advised my high-school self. ?You?re crazy,? the young me responded nonchalantly, ?I?m doing everything right. I did well on my SATs, my applications are in, and I have visited prospective colleges. I don?t need advice.? The older me shook my head. ?Do you know why I?m here?? A puzzled look danced across the younger me?s face. ?I made a mistake the first go-round and chose poorly. Make absolutely certain to give each college an equal chance, otherwise you?ll overlook the best one. Also, listen closely to the people in your life; they know what?s best for you, so respect their opinions.? ?Alright, I can do that.? ?Good. It?s vital to remember that moving to college is an emotional experience. Keep in touch with your family and old friends, but don?t be afraid to branch out and meet new people. Take advantage of the opportunity to try new things and most importantly have fun!?

If I were granted the opportunity to go back in time and give myself advice, I would have told myself to work more and to save up for college tuition. With the recent economy crisis and the steep cost of private school, paying for tuition at Pacific Lutheran University has been the most challenging experience. As a high school senior I decided to focus more on school and less on earning an income. Although I did do well academically in my senior year, it wasn't enough to help with my tuition. I absolutely love being apart of PLU and it is such a privilege to be at this university. Even though I had offers to attend other universities, I would never change my thoughts about going to PLU. Other than saving up more money, I would not change any other decisions I have made about college.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self advice about the transition into college life I would tell myself not to be afraid of new things or new people. In high school I found that I had a talent for journalism. I spent all of my time working on our newsmagazine, The JagWire, with no time for anything else especially friends. When I arrived at college I thought I knew that journalism was where I belonged. After beginning college I realized that however talented I was at journalism didn?t make up for how unhappy it made me. I wish in high school I would have been less afraid of trying new things because maybe if I hadn?t spent all of my time in the newsroom I would have made more friends, (like I did in college), and maybe I would have enjoyed high school. If I had known conquering my fear of change and lack of trust in people would get me to where I am today I would have been a happier high school senior and more excited to take advantage of all the opportunities that college life has to offer.

I would tell myself that everything will turn out okay and there is no need to constantly stress. Everything happens for a reason and we learn from the decisions that we make throughout our life. College is an amazing experience and it is important to go where you want to go because that will make the difference rather than having finances or others sway your decision. It is important to continue to work hard as colleges continue to look at your grades even after you are accepted, but also take time to enjoy my senior year of high school because you only go through this experience once in a lifetime. The friends that you make in high school are very important, but you find your lifetime friends in college. Follow your dreams, live life to the fullest, and never let others bring you down.

Keep applying for scholarships. Dont be held back by finances. Finish high school strong and focus on your next steps. Smile and enjoy life. Spend time with family and friends as much as you can before you miss those opportunities. Visit prospective schools and pray for direction. Keep smiling.

Don't be scared. The people here are sweet and understanding. The teachers are competent. Ask questions, don't shy from others. They know so much. Even the youngest people here have so much to say. Take everything you hear to heart. Sit quietly and listen. There is so much meaning hidden within this campus. Go to guest lectures as the people this campus can pull are absolutely amazing. On the surface, it may seem like another Christian college. It isn't. It's not even close. In the smallest brick and crack there is history. There are a thousand things to learn just by sitting in the campus square. Watching the young adults pass, in their walk, their speak, their movement, the world can be explored. This campus teaches far beyond the classroom. Learning comes even from sitting and watching.

The best advice I would give myself is to GET INVOLVED as much as possible while being able to still maintain good grades! Whether its in sports, clubs, or school functions. It is a great way to make a lot of long lasting friends and not only looks good to colleges or potential jobs but it would make you feel good knowing that you accomplished many things and that was only in highschool, so imagine what's to come in college. Not participating as much as I could have would have to be the thing I regret most and now I am am participating and getting involved with fashion shows and every college activity I can make it to.

Take every opportunity that arises, even if you don't think that it will add anything to your resume or your experience, and even if you think you will hate the experience. I took the leap to study abroad for a year and ended up with more academic and travel experience than I ever could have imagined as well as jump starting my archaeological career by working in four different countries. And it was all because the dominoes were set in place when I checked the box for "full year abroad". Growing up in the rural Midwest I never thought I would be planning to live in London for the next phase of my life, but my Master's course will begin there next fall. High school isn't the be all and end all. It gets better. I promise.

I would tell myself to look for scholarships outside of what I received from the government/PLU. I received a good amount of financial aid but I will still graduate with a substantial amount of debt, when I started at PLU, it didn't seem very expensive but now that I look at how much I've spent, it's actually a lot. I had great grades and was very involved in high school, so had I applied I probably could have gotten more scholarships then I did. Other than that, I think I did everything "right" after high school. I'm excited to graduate as an RN!

To be open to new people and ideas. To realize things don't always go the way we plan. To not overload myself even though there are a lot of things I'll want to do. To learn to manage my time. To get enough rest.

Being a high school senior can be a terrifying thing. College applications, SATs and other big moments grab a hold of your life. I made the mistake of making too many commitments that I wasn't able to enjoy every moment of my senior year. I stretched myself too thin and tried to make everyone happy, which made me lose sight of what I was passionate in and what I wanted for myself. Looking back, I should have challenged myself more academically and put my energy into the things that I truly loved. So here is what I say to you: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and pursue your passions. Make sure that they are YOUR passions and not anyone else's. You have nothing to lose if you challenge yourself.

Carolyn, don't be afraid of the future. Take it by the horns and stare it down. You are smart enough, brave enough, good enough to do anything you put your mind to. Yes, college will be much more difficult academically than you are used to, but you will grow, mature and learn what you need to excel! As I look back at you and how unsure you were of yourself, always worrying you weren't good enough, I laugh to see how life is a process and every experience or class you take will bring you to a brand new way of looking at yourself. Life changes you. Classes you take, friends you make, experiences you go through will only help to shape your character into a person of great value. So don't hesitate, don't drag your feet. Life is an exciting adventure that you can have if you will be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Make new friends, learn new concepts, have amazing new experiences you never thought possible! Who knows but you who you will become? Who knows but you how you will change the world? GO FOR IT!

I would tell myself to find a liberal arts school, like the one I am attending now, that pushed its students to open their minds to the academic realm as a whole. Though I am a lover of music, I also wanted to pursue academics outside of the arts and wanted to keep my options open. I am so glad I chose to do so, because I may have regretted it otherwise. I would also tell myself to search for a university that has a small student to professor ratio and a school that has a strong study away program. I believe it is so valuable for students to gain a global perspective and to open their minds to the surroundings outside of their college bubble. Lastly, I would tell myself to get involved and engaged right away. There is no sense in waiting around for life to come. Once I engaged in the various clubs, activities, etc. that the univesity setting had to offer me, I was able to see myself in a clearer manner and to see where I wanted to direct my purpose in life. Never hold back or let uncertainty get the best of you!

College is a wonderful experience. It is challenging academically, but do not be ashamed if you need help because there are countless resources and people that are more than willing to help. Also, if you know you need help, admit it and seek help instead of waiting for the last minute. Study hard, but remember to have fun because there are so many amazing people that you could meet.

I would tell myself to be prepared for a journey. I would probably tell myself to be careful about saying I won't do something, because those are the things that I generally end up doing. I would tell myself to be open to taking on responsibilities and challenges that seem out of reach, to take joy in the failures as much as the successes, because the failures teach you more than the successes ever can. There are several warnings that I could give about what's is coming up, several mistakes that could be remedied, but in the end, I think I would tell myself to be prepared to make those mistakes, because those mistakes are what have made this experience everything that it has been. I would most likely just offer words of encouragement, telling myself that no matter what happens along the way that I will not be alone, but that I will have family and friends who will support me and push me towards success. And above all, I would tell myself to enjoy those little moments with friends and family, because they are the treasure that I will keep for the rest of my life.

Knowing what I do know I could tell myself that i should definatly have a job during the school year to have a little bit of spending money. Also I would recomend not skipping class as often because that results in bad grades. I would also tell myself not to get mono right at the end of the swim season freshman year because I would have done much better. But most of all i would tell myself to be yourself. I have had a great time in college, and I wouldn't want to trade this experiance for anything.

TIFFANY! Stop procrastinating!! Just don't do it!! You're going to be so flooded with work during your first year of college! Put down those video game controls and work on your senior paper! Get more active in Honors Society and volunteer at the clothing bank more often! Talk more with your friends, because most will move away and you'll never get another chance! Be more confident and less shy! Stop watching so much TV, because you won't have any in college! Be more mature faster! Take initiative more often when you have the opportunity!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give this advice: to start applying for scholarships and financial aid as early as I could. After the stock market taking the big dive last winter, my family lost a lot of my tuition funds. If I could've applied/received scholarship money, I would've been able to help out my family with paying for school, just like I'm trying to do now.

The most important information that I would tell people looking for a college to attend is to follow their gut instinct. They should take time to visit and research anywhere that catches their interest, and go with the one that seems to be the best fit for them. Each person is different, and therefore a different kind of school will appeal to different people. They need to make sure that the college they choose is somewhere that they feel they could be comfortable, and that would allow them to succeed. For parents I would make sure to reiterate the fact that the school that their child chooses may not meet up with their own preconceived notions. Forcing the student to go to a school they do not want to attend could be disastrous. As they may feel unmotivated and not try their best. The school that they go to needs to be a joint decision, not a one way road.

It is truly important to visit the campus and classes on campus. You will be able to tell right away if the school is the right one for you are not when you visit it in person, it is harder when you simply look at it online.

Look for what type of a campus it is: is it big? is it small? is it a dry/wet campus? Also meet some of the teachers, stay for a class or two, stay overnight. Make sure to see what scholarships are available for you. Check the cost of the school and what you would pay.

Choose based on class size, campus size, and class choices.

In my opinion, there are three questions to be considered when looking at possible colleges. 1. Does this school offer classes and activities that I am interested in. It's important that you find a school where you can get a major that relates to what you want to do, or at least that provides the kind of activities you enjoy. 2. Are the class sizes and/or the overall size of the school right for me? One thing I love about my school is the small class sizes. I am so happy to be able to create the close relationships with other students and professors here that have been instrumental in helping me learn. 3. Is this campus safe? This may be the first time you're going to be away from home, or the first time your son/daughter is away from home. It's important to know that they're not only learning to be independant, but doing it in a safe, supportive environment.

Sit down and really consider what you want to do with your degree. Is there a general direction you would like your major to take you, like medicine, literature, or music? Once you have narrowed down your choices to a few potentially-interesting paths, look at schools and compare these specific programs. In my college search, I discovered that all undergraduate schools do NOT offer the same caliber programs across the board. For example, my school has awesome music and biology programs and I chose it based on this. My school is a great match for my interests, but it's definitely not the best choice for students with other intersts, like literature or history. So do your research because most schools have specific strengths and weaknesses. Also, don't rule a school out just because it's not Ivy League. I know people who chose to attend very rigorous schools and now regret it. Consider this: my school does a fantastic job preparing me for my graduate experience, but I am not overwhelmed or competing with my classmates for my undergraduate GPA to remain high. Graduate schools look at GPA when accepting students and offering scholarships.

To the parents and students, go visit the colleges/universities of your students choices. Make sure the student has a good feeling about where they want to go. Don't rush or force your student to make a decision until they are ready. Make sure the financial aid, scholarships, and other finances are in order before you go to any college or university. Once the student gets to the college or univsersity and gets settled in and begins to focus on their work and what is going on around them, it would be hard for your student to be withdrawn if the financial package was not met or settled. It's important to make sure everyone involved in the student's education, supports each other and makes everyone feel great about the decision that was made. Education is an important asset to a person's life, don't ever let anyone tell you that you can not succeed.

When selecting the right college, itWhen selecting the right college, it?s important to feel comfortable with your final choice. Parent?s can help, but it?s the student that should make the final decision. Choose a school that offers the major you want to study. If possible, you should try to visit the campus to get a better feel of what it would be like going to school there. To make the most of your college experience, think about the following when choosing a school: size, location, academics, living arrangements, and availability and types of social activities. Also, are the sizes of the classes and accessibility to instructors important to you? Talk with university counselors and financial aid counselors. Think about expenses and what you and your family can afford. Do research on scholarships and financial aid possibilities. I never thought I could attend a private university, but because of my high GPA and playing varsity soccer, I was granted scholarships to the university I?m attending. I also receive financial aid through a work study job and federal loans. Finally, once you?ve made your choice give thanks for the opportunity you?ve been given and make the most out of it!

The best wat to choose the right college is to go and visit. There is no better way to tell if you are going to like the school than being there. But don't just go and take a tour. Tour guides are directed to make each school look the best it can. I would suggest going into the schools university center and talking to students. Ask them how many hours a week they spend on class work, how they like there professors, what they do for fun, and simply if they would reccomend there school to others. Talking to students is the best way to get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. I would also suggest attending a class if you have a field of study that you are interested in. Finally, once you choose a school, make the best of it by getting involved in clubs and talking to your proffesors, they want to help you! Try as many clubs as it takes to find a couple that you enjoy, they are the best way for making friends and discovering yourself.

FInd a college that fits the person you are at heart and can encourage you to become the person you want to become and achieve the dreams you always imagined yourself achieving! Never lose your focus. As Einstein once said, "Remember yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow."

I would advise getting engaged with your classes, your professors, and your fellow students so that you can make the best use of your time and opportunities.

Chose the school with the best academic programs. Where as large schools are fun and exotic, smaller liberal arts schools often offer better academic programs, small class sizes (thus proffessors that teach, not teachers aids), individualized learning and a strong support system after graduation. The programs and teachers are most important when chosing a college.

to make sure you are picking the right college all you can do is visit the college and stay a weekend. Pay attention to how happy students seem there and how welcoming everyone is. the overall atmosphere of the school is very important. When i choose my school i thought about what was most important to me. I wanted to stay close to home, my school to be smaller, and to figure out what i wanted to do with my future. I am very pleased with my decision to go to a small private school because i have classrooms that are typically around fifteen people. I am able to connect with my professors and because of that was able to decide my major. So just make sure the schools you are looking at satisfy what your idea of college life is. Remember you are the one going there for four years of your life and should be happy with coming to campus.

Take classes that may not seem to relate to your major for your electives. It was important for getting into med school for me to be "well-rounded" and take classes such as religion, art, and other non-biology classes.

The advice I would give to parents and students when it comes to finding the right college is to definitely visit the campuses of schools prior to making the decision. In my case, after I had visited five other university campuses, I walked onto the campus of Pacific Lutheran University and I just knew it was the college and community for me. It is very important for you, as students and parents, to get a sense of the community on the campus and to be able to see yourself or your child as a student there. Furthermore, while on campus, I suggest that parents and students sit in on one of the class periods to see if the classroom atmosphere is something both of you enjoyed and were impressed with. It is very important for students to make the most of the college experience as it only happens once in a lifetime. From the day you step on campus, always be open-minded: join the clubs, play intramural sports, and go to the various events offered by the school. College will be something you will never forget so study hard and have fun at the same time!

Get to know your school. Talk to students, staff, professors, and staff. They can give you the best picture of the school. Those are the people that you will be working with. They will make or break a school for you.

I would advise any pending college student and their parents/guardians to know what type of learner they are. They should ask themselves, "Do I respond more to discussion classes or lectures? Do I want small classes or large classes?" This will be a huge deciding factor because it will determine whether the student will sink or swim academically in college. This also narrows the field for which colleges you are thinking about attending. For instance, the difference between a state school and small liberal arts college is vast. Another thing a prospective student should do is visit the college. Ask the university if they have a program in which inquiring students can sit in on a class or even stay with a current student of that college. This will allow the prospective student to really get a flavor of what it is like to be at college and what unique opportunites each college can give.

Visit the college, talk to students, staff, and faculty about it. I am very happy at PLU, but occaisionally students aren't; it's just not the place for them. Picking a school with an academic focus that fits your goals is important, but if you don't like living there, you will not be happy and you will not do well. Take time to get to know your school and who is there. That's the best way to guage if you will enjoy your education.

Focus less on school name/prestige, and select the place where YOU see yourself most likely to succeed.

First of all, I would definitely recommend getting involved in some sort of extracurricular activity whether it be a sport, band, or club. I have made my best friends and had the best times of my life in competing on my school's swim team. Second, make sure to take time to study abroad. It is an invaluable experience that every student should take advantage of. Third, take classes seriously, but also make sure you have fun. College is not just a place to earn a degree, but to try new things and meet new people. Get out, get involved, and most importantly have fun!

For me, college has been a very intriguing experience filled with new, wonderful people, awkward experiences, and realizations of new desires. At Pacific Lutheran University, I've met people that have become far better friends than those in high school because (at least I believe this to be so) we were all in the same boat. Being placed in a new environment with all new people was incredibly nerve racking, but I think its just something everyone needs to go through if they're going to learn to calm down in this messed up world. I feel like this may not work at large colleges due to the sheer scale of people they contain. I personally didn't really know what I wanted from an education in my first half of college and I'm only starting to form a vague idea of that, but I don't really think that what you study in college matters that much, just the experiences you have there and the friends you make. There are always people searching for other people on college campuses, you'll eventually find the people and experiences you're looking.

Visit campus to help decide where to go. It really gives you a better idea of the university community. Also, take into account how quickly and completely any questions you've had are answered. If the admission or student services offices aren't helpful now, they won't be later either. Know what size of a school you'd like to go to and, if you know your intended major, check out the school's programs. If you're involved with any clubs that continue into college, check their availability as well. Get involved. Put yourself out there. Meet new people. Smile. Study. Enjoy the best four years of your life!

I resort back to the advice I was given by a high school teacher many years ago. He told me, "College is a home and a vacation. Its a teacher and a friend; and it can be the love of your life or your worst enemy." Trying to find that perfect college for you can be much like trying to find any one of those forementioned things. I think that statement in itself speaks to the magnitude of the task at hand. However, finding the right college isn't impossible. In fact, I bet you, like most high school students, already have a mental idea of exactly what you expect college to be. This is key. Big classes, small classes, sororities, fraternities, big cities, small towns, coffee houses or school pubs. These things are often decisions we have made about what we want from our college experience... and the college you pick should match them. Academics is something everyone thinks of when picking a college; and it's certianly most important. But keep in mind that your not just picking a teacher, but a home, a vacation, a friend, maybe a love, but potentially (if not done right) and enemy.

The most important thing to remember is that college is about more than just earning a degree, it's about growing as a person emotionally and socially. You need to find to pick a school because it has a wide variety of offerings that interest you and not just because it's great academically. There's no point going somewhere that's going to make you miserable in the long run. College should not only be rewarding but fun and interesting at the same time.

First, realize that if the University does not make the student, the student makes the student. If you are a driven intelligent person you will succeed anywhere you go, so look for the University that feels 'right' or speaks to you. Do not feel that you have to go to a well known school if you cannot afford it. In the end, the economic freedom will serve you more than a ritzy name. To make the most of the experience be willing to suspend what you think you know and embrace the new experiences that come your way. College is a time for you to explore who you are, where you are going, and why you are on this planet, and you can't do that if you don't try some new things. Most importantly take advantage of what the college offers in terms of support and assistance, colleges are wonderful examples of a safety net and professors and TA's are very willing to work with students to improve their writing and research. The only advice I can give to parents is to be willing to let go it is time for your children to fly.

In looking for the right college one needs to think about where the college, how big the school is, and know what areas are important to you. Make sure you can pay for the school without killing yourself working three jobs, that takes away the rest of the experience of the school. While in school make sure you know what your priorities are; parties are fun, but you are paying thousands of dollars for your education so stay on top of it. Ask for help if you need it, don?t struggle on your own, people are paid just to be there to help. I always told my friends always read and do everything the professor tells you to, until you know how much of the book they are going to lecture about and then you can cut back on ?unimportant? reading if you need to. Go to class, there are very few reasons to miss a class and missing one can really hurt your chances at getting good grades in the class. If you can, take a class for fun, you will be amazed what you learn. Study abroad if you can. Take lots of pictures of everything.

Make sure you visit the campus and ask a lot of questions. Putting academics first will allow for a much better experience during college because you will feel more accomplished with your classes. Finding the right college takes time, so make sure you allow for as much time as you need. Use the upperclassmen and all of the resources that are provided on campus. The school uses the tuition money you pay for those services so utilize them to your benefit as much as you can. Go to orientation events because that is where you will meet some of the friends that you'll have forever. The 2 or 4 years you spend in college are some of the best you will have so enjoy them and work hard.

It's really all about you. First of all, what do you want out of college? Are you looking for a simple degree or a school that will challenge you to change the way you look at things? Are you coming here hoping for some good parties, or are you seeking to define who you are? Don't expect to know everything about yourself and what you want for your future -- that's what college is all about. But if you want to find the school that's right for you, you need to take an honest look at why you're going to college in the first place, because it's that honesty that will find you a school in which you'll be truly happy and able to thrive. And when you find that college, take time to establish yourself. Get plugged in. Find something you love, and don't be afraid to try new things or meet new people. Make time for adventures. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Don't over-do it, but let every aspect of college start to shape the person you will become. I promise you won't regret it.

I suggest to take time making the choices that come with choosing a college. With any luck you will only go through all of this once. But I think on of the most important thing to remember is that it is not the institution, wholly, that makes you a learned person. The time that you dedicate is what counts. Also realize that if there is something you want to learn or do and the options are not readily available take the initiative and make things happen for yourself. Learning isn't reserved only for the classroom. For parents I would say to trust your child if you can. College is a huge change and for many people my age it was a whole new world of freedom. I made the transition easier because my parents expected a lot from me early on. The trusted me to make the appropriate choices and I think that made all the difference. When I finally got to college I didn't feel the need to push my new freedom to far. I didn't go to parties and I didn't feel the need to expirement.

If you know what your intended major is, I advise you to contact someone within that department. Ask them if they will meet with you and get to know that person as well as you can. Odds are good that you will be spending a lot of your time with him or her and you will be able to tell after even a short meeting whether or not the school and major will be a good fit for you. Even if you are going to a school that looks good on paper or a tour, if you end up with teachers who don't inspire you, you will regret spending so much money. Ask the professor if there is a student you can speak with. Often professors know of students who will be involved enough in the program to tell you how it fits and you will be able to judge the fit. Not only that, if you end up attending the school you will already have a familiar face and someone to ask questions. This is of greater advantage than a school tour guide because they know the specific major information you need to know and can advise you.