Even before you apply to college, you have a lot of decisions to make: choosing where to apply, how to apply and when to apply.  

To make it easier for you, this article walks you through everything you need to know about each choice, so you can make it with confidence. Or, if you’re ready to get started, check out this step-by-step guide to college applications.  

Choose your schools

The first step is to make a list of the schools where you want to apply. The key here is to find the best schools for you. There are plenty of lists that rank colleges, but only you know exactly what you want from your college experience. So, think about what you want and use that to find colleges that fit you.  

Here are some questions you can ask yourself before you start: 

• What do I want to study? Does this college have a good degree program for that? Name recognition isn’t everything. When you’re researching a college, investigate your specific degree program. Is the school known for that area of study? Do the professors seem like a good fit for you?
• How much does this school cost? Does that make sense for my career path? Colleges and universities are required to provide the cost of attendance, which is an estimated total cost to attend that institution for a year. This includes tuition, fees, housing, food, educational materials and other related expenses.   
  • Any financial aid like loans, grants or scholarships offsets the cost of your education. The Department of Education has a Federal Student Aid Estimator that can give you an idea of how much aid you can expect from the government.   
• Is it a large (or small) school? A college’s size has no inherent advantage or disadvantage, but it does offer trade-offs. If getting to know your professors is important to you, for example, then a smaller college might be better.   
• What kind of extracurricular activities are available? Consider what kinds of clubs, professional organizations, Greek life or volunteer work you’re interested in and whether that college offers that.   
• How far from home do I want to be? Do you want to visit somewhere completely new, or do you want to be able to go home relatively easily?   
• What kind of academic support is available? Most schools offer some form of tutoring, but it’s useful to know exactly what kinds of help it can offer. You never know when you’ll need help with a class!  
• What does its career services center offer? Similar to tutoring, most colleges can assist your search for a job or internship. Look into what services it offers, like resume help, career advising or interview preparation.   
• What housing options are available? How long can you live in campus housing? If you do have to move off campus, what is the housing market like nearby?   

A college may not tick all your boxes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should exclude it from your list. Use these questions to home in on schools that are likely a good fit for you.   

How many colleges you include in this list is up to you and how many applications you want to submit. College Board recommends around five to eight applications, ideally giving you several acceptances to choose between.

Decide on application type

Once you’ve made your list, the next step is to apply. There are a few common ways you can apply to college: through the university’s own application, through Common App or by direct admission. Each option has its own benefits.   

The Common App is one of the most-used ways to apply to college and is accepted by over 1,000 colleges. You can use this application to apply to several schools at once, up to a maximum of 20. It saves information that most colleges ask for—like personal information, activities or in-progress coursework—to streamline your applications.   

Despite its popularity, not every school accepts Common App. You may instead need to use a school’s institutional application, which you can find on its website. Universities may offer additional benefits, such as waiving your application fee if you attend an open house or campus tour.  

While colleges can offer some benefits for institutional applications, they do not give preferential treatment based on application alone.  

Direct admission, on the other hand, is a relatively new way to get into college. Colleges like Pacific provide certain requirements, usually academic, to partner companies including Niche and Common App. If you meet those requirements when you create an account with those companies, you get an automatic offer of admission.  

You can still apply with a traditional application if you aren’t offered direct admission. 

Even if a school has direct admission, there may be some degree programs there that do not accept direct admission. These are typically majors with extra requirements for admission, such as an audition. For a more in-depth look at how Niche Direct Admissions works, take a look at this article.

Decide on when to apply

Once you have your college picks, make sure you know the application deadlines for each one. This process can be a little tricky because many colleges offer more than one type of admission, which each have their own pros and cons. The most common are Regular Decision, Early Action and Early Decision.   

Early Decision is a good option for your top-choice school, because it’s a binding commitment to attend that college if admitted. It shows that you’re really committed to going there, which can give your application a bump. If you apply through Early Decision, be absolutely certain that it’s where you want to be.   

Early Action, on the other hand, is not binding. You can apply to more than one school through early action, which means you’ll have more time to compare your acceptances based on things like financial aid packages.   

“You get a chance to visit on holiday break or compare your choices a bit longer,” Azarcon says. “There’s a bit more time to compare financial aid packages. So, the biggest advantage of those extra few months is knowing you’ve secured admission, secured the scholarship, getting your merit aid. And you still have until that May 1 deadline.”  

Regular Decision is the most common type of admission, typically due in December or January. While the other two options give you more time to compare your acceptances, Regular Decision gives you more time to polish your application. This can help if you’re busy with school, work, extracurriculars or family commitments.   

Can I submit my college application after the deadline? You should submit your application before the Regular Decision deadline, but you may still have a chance after this date. Some schools accept applications afterward, although at a disadvantage. Pacific, for example, considers applications on a space-available basis. Check a college’s admission page to see if they continue to accept applications.

Applying to college is your chance to showcase who you are—not just as a student, but as a whole person. Your classes, activities and experiences all tell a story about your strengths, interests, and goals. The key is highlighting what makes you unique and how you’ll contribute to a college community. 

So, if you’re feeling stuck, here’s some advice from Stephanie Azarcon, University of the Pacific’s senior assistant director of admission: “Share your uniqueness with our team, so we can understand why you would be a good fit on our campus or in one of our programs.” 

Whatever classes, activities or awards you have, there is something that makes you unique. You have a reason that you’re applying to this program at this college. And the key to your application is to use both to tell the story of why this is the right pathway for you.  

Here is Azarcon’s advice on crafting your application. 

Admission counselors look for personality  

Students sometimes approach college applications like pole vaulting, thinking they need to clear a certain bar of achievement to get in. But colleges look beyond test scores and activities. They want students who will thrive on campus and grow into proud alumni. 

“Genuine interest and also curious students,” says Azarcon. “Those are the ones who stand out. Not just students who are laser-focused on a major, but students who are open to new ideas and excited about being part of a campus community.” 

In other words, you’re not just trying to check boxes. You want to highlight your personality through your interests, your engagement with your community and your willingness to try new things.  

Let your college application tell your whole story

Most colleges and universities review applications holistically. In other words, they want to know who you are as a person. They try to understand your achievements in the context of your personal situation.  

Imagine a student who has a good GPA, but no extracurricular activities because they have a job and help take care of their grandparents. Their application may not seem as competitive at first glance. But if they include those obligations in their application, it demonstrates responsibility and work ethic. Those are good traits in a student.  

You should be as thorough as possible on each section of your application because admissions counselors do read it in detail.  

“At Pacific, we have first and second readers,” Azarcon explains. “We lay our eyes on the full application. I’ll highlight pieces of letters of recommendation or information from the essay. We read these closely.” 

4 tips to make your college application stand out

There’s no magic bullet that guarantees acceptance to college, but there are ways you can improve your chances. 

Take time with your personal statement

Your personal statement helps admission counselors connect the dots on your application and brings all the details together into your story.  

You don’t have to tell the story of your whole life, but it should make your choices or goals clear. The most impactful essays are passionate and unique to you.  

“I like creativity. Something different,” Azarcon says. “I love to walk away feeling that the student was passionate about what they wrote.” 

It’s also important to pay attention to the details, like your grammar. After you’re done, read your essay out loud or have someone else read it. If you apply to multiple schools, take the time to personalize the essay for each application. Azarcon sometimes reads essays addressed to other schools.  

For a more detailed look at good personal statements, read our post “How to write an eye-catching personal statement.” 

Have solid letters of recommendation

Just like your personal statement, a letter of recommendation shows admission counselors who you are and what you’ve done. Your recommender should be someone who knows you well, like a teacher, coach, boss or other mentor figure.  

“I will scour those for helpful information or tidbits about a student. It tells me more about what they’ve overcome. Maybe they got a low grade one semester, and the recommender tells me there was something going on in the family,” Azarcon says.  

If you’re not certain how to ask for a letter of recommendation, here’s an email template and a guide to asking.

Complete every section thoroughly

As you go through each section, make sure you add as much detail as possible. Some students exclude information because they don’t think it will help them get into college, but everything counts!  

Keep in mind, you’re trying to help the admission counselor understand who you are. When you complete the activities section, think beyond sports, volunteering and clubs.  

“You may only have three activities, but that’s OK,” Azarcon says. “Tell us what they are. And don’t discredit family responsibilities. Sometimes you have to be an interpreter for your grandparents or be the driver. Those matter.” 

Take some time to make a list of all your activities so you don’t leave anything out.

Meet early deadlines if you can

Many schools offer early application deadlines, such as Early Action or Early Decision, that can give you a leg up. An early application doesn’t necessarily boost your chances of acceptance—in fact, sometimes it’s better to take more time to work on your application—but you will find out months earlier and that gives you more time to compare schools.  

“You get more time to compare your financial aid packages. Pacific offers your merit aid at acceptance,” Azarcon says. “You have plenty of time to explore campus and even attend an earlier Admitted Student Day.” 

It’s no small feat to apply to college. But your application doesn’t have to be time-consuming. The key is to break it down into small steps, which makes each task more manageable and gives you a better idea of your progress.  

If you’re about to start your applications, this is a step-by-step guide to the process. If you’re still narrowing down your college picks and deciding on application type, check out this article.  

You may have special circumstances, such as being an international student. This article will still be helpful, but there will be additional research for you.

Gather your materials

Your application will be easier if you have all your documents ready to go before you start. These sections are in recommended order but take them on however makes sense for your situation. Remember to keep an eye on your timelines and make sure you have plenty of time to accomplish each task!

Request transcripts

Your high school needs to send your official transcript to each college you’re applying to. Colleges need your transcript to prove that you’re going to graduate, plus your college-level courses and language classes may waive requirements or qualify for credit.   

Inform your high school which colleges you need your transcripts sent to. You can talk to your college counselor, front office or directly to the registrar’s office. Let them know at least two weeks before your application deadline, so they have enough time to submit the document.   

Can an unofficial transcript be used for college applications? You may also have access to your unofficial transcript, typically available online and not certified by your high school. You should not submit this as part of your college application.  

Request letters of recommendation

A letter of recommendation is a great way to help admissions counselors know you better. Your recommender can show how you excel and demonstrate who you are as a person, too.   

“I scour those for info or tidbits about a student, and I include that in my file,” Azarcon says. “It tells me more about what the student has overcome. Maybe they got a lower than normal grade this semester and this letter of recommendation says there was something going on in the family. We can connect the dots behind the scenes.” 

Colleges approach this step in different ways, so you’ll want to check admission guidelines for each school. If a college does not require a letter of recommendation, then you will not be penalized for not including one. A good letter of recommendation can make your application more competitive, though.   

High school teachers and counselors are common choices for recommenders, but you can think creatively about this, too. There may be others who can speak to your achievements, like a mentor, a coach, an employer or other non-family members. 

Ask your recommender well before your application deadline. A good rule of thumb is at least two weeks, but more time never hurts. Your recommender sends their letters directly to the schools you apply to. Pacific’s guide to getting a letter of recommendation can help if you don’t know where to start.

Write application essays

Your personal statement is another chance to set yourself apart, highlighting what you’ve accomplished or overcome. Your essay can tie together your experiences and show why you’re excited about this college and this major.  

“I look for genuine interest and curious students,” Azarcon says. “I like creativity. And I love to walk away feeling like the student was passionate about what they wrote.” 

Applications that require a personal statement include a prompt to give you an idea of what you should address in your writing. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, take a look at Pacific’s guide to crafting a great personal statement.   

If you’re applying to multiple colleges, they may have similar prompts. You should resist the urge to use the exact same statement for each application. You don’t need to start from scratch but retool your writing to be specific for each college. 

Are personal statements on college applications optional? Most colleges require a personal statement, but there are some applications where it is optional. Still, your personal statement is a chance to stand out among other applicants.  

Do colleges check for AI in application essays? College admissions counselors do often check for artificial intelligence in essays. You can certainly use AI for ideas or to double-check your personal statement, but your writing should be your own. The goal is to reflect your story in your own words.

Submit your application

After all your work filling out forms, submitting documents and asking for letters of recommendation, you can submit your application. Keep your deadlines in mind! Most Early Action/Early Decision applications close in November and most Regular Decisions applications close in December but check with your picks for the exact due dates.   

You don’t need to wait for all your materials before you submit your application. Your application will indicate anything that you can submit after sending in your application, like official transcripts, personal statements and letters of recommendation.   

If you realize you’ve made an error or want to change something later, regardless of whether you submitted an instructional or Common App application, contact the school’s admission office to notify them and ask for next steps.  

Pay the college application fee

Finally, there is the college application fee. You generally pay the fee when you submit your application, but some applications may allow you to pay later. Just like your documents, make sure you pay the fee before the deadline! Otherwise, schools may not consider your application complete and will not review it.   

If applicable, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver. Check with your college picks and high school counselors to see if you’re eligible for a waiver.   

Ady Moran ’28
Major: Psychology

Two weeks ago, I finished my first year of undergrad, and recently I’ve been reflecting on just how much I’ve grown—academically, personally and emotionally. Being a first-generation Latina college student, this journey came with its own set of challenges but also so many valuable lessons that I’m proud to carry with me. 

Here are my top takeaways from freshman year: 

Use your resources 

This year, I truly saw the value of leaning into the resources around me. I was fortunate to receive multiple scholarships thanks to Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Jobs for Youth. I used Pacific’s tutoring services, office hours and study spaces when I needed help. I even found a job thanks to networking and connections I made on campus. The support truly is there—you just have to ask. 

Don’t be afraid to say yes 

Coming into college, I was nervous about leaving home and starting a new chapter. But saying yes to many things changed everything. One of the best decisions I made this year was joining Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. It became my second home and has given me lifelong friendships. Saying yes opened doors to experiences and memories I’ll cherish forever. 

Learning to handle stress 

Navigating college for the first time, by myself, was overwhelming, but I learned many ways on how to manage stress—from something as small as taking a snack break to as big as reaching out and having honest conversations when I was struggling. I’m grateful I learned how to take care of my mental and emotional well-being. 

Asking for help 

This is my biggest takeaway. I’ve always been someone who hesitates to ask for help, but this year taught me otherwise. Whether it was reaching out to friends, mentors, professors for academic support or my advisers—every time I asked for help, I received guidance that made all the difference. I didn’t do this alone and I’m beyond thankful for my community. 

This year has shaped me in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m excited (and ready!) for what’s ahead. Here’s to growth, resilience and Year 2!  

You may have caught yourself thinking, “One mistake and everyone will know that I have no idea what I am doing!” 

Imposter syndrome is a common feeling among high-achieving individuals—even people you would never suspect suffer from self-doubt. 

In an opinion piece in  Newsweek magazine, Pacific alumnus and NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez described how inadequate he felt when he was accepted into America’s space program. 

“Even as I wore the blue uniform and underwent rigorous training, a nagging voice in the back of my mind questioned whether I truly belonged among these remarkable individuals,” Hernandez wrote. 

If astronauts can feel that way, it won’t surprise you to know that imposter syndrome is common among college students as well. According to a 2019 study at Brigham Young University, 20% of college students have experienced it.  

Five types of imposter syndrome

Valerie Young, an internationally recognized expert on imposter syndrome, has identified five types of imposter syndrome: 

1. The Perfectionist: You believe that unless you are perfect, you could have done better. Your perfectionist traits convince you that you’re not as good as others might think you are. 
2. The Expert: When you don’t know everything there is to know about a particular subject or topic, or you haven’t mastered every step in the process, you feel like a fraud. 
3. The Natural Genius: You might feel like an imposter because you don’t believe that you are naturally intelligent or competent. If you struggle to get something right the first time, or it takes you longer to master a skill, you feel like an imposter. 
4. The Soloist: Sometimes you might feel like a fraud because you had to ask for help to reach a certain level of status. Due to not being able to get there on your own, you question your own skills and abilities.
5. The Superperson: You believe that unless you are the hardest worker or reach the absolute pinnacle of success possible, you will have failed and will be shown to be a fraud. 

How do you know if you have imposter syndrome?

Some common presentations include: 

• Worrying about or overestimating how much time others spend thinking about you 
• Failing to recognize your own successes and focusing on setbacks or negative experiences 
• High stress and increased anxiety for no identifiable reason 
• Despite successes, still worrying or fearing that others will find out that you are a fraud 

How to get over imposter syndrome

• Share your feelings: Talking to other people about how you are feeling and sharing your irrational beliefs prevents them from festering and allows you to get in-the-moment feedback that might challenge some of your doubts. Be strategic about the people you share with; venting to trusted individuals who are not peers can provide a more helpful picture of your accomplishments and values. 
• Let go of perfectionism: Adjusting your standards for success can make it easier to see and internalize your accomplishments. This doesn’t mean you are lowering the bar; you are focusing on your progress rather than aiming for perfection.  
  
  Also, when you don’t meet your standards, it does not mean that you have failed! Reframe “failures” as opportunities to learn and grow. Adopting a growth mindset will help release you from rigid standards and reduce your imposter syndrome significantly.
• Celebrate your successes: Imposter syndrome makes it easy to brush off your successes and chalk them up to luck or fortune, instead of your effort and skill. Taking time to applaud yourself, even for the smallest win, can help you internalize your success. 
• Accept it: As you continue to work through imposter syndrome, it may still show up, but you will be more effective in working with it instead of fighting against it and/or believing it completely.  
  
  It’s common for imposter syndrome to arise when there is a shift: high school to college, lower level to upper-level classes, undergraduate to graduate, internship to career, etc. We are always going to be faced with new experiences or roles, and it is more likely that imposter syndrome will come out during these times. It’s good to recognize that, even if you are making progress in overcoming imposter syndrome, these things may come up again. It’s not a failure if feelings and thoughts of imposter syndrome arise; it’s a reminder that you’re human! 

You can overcome imposter syndrome and realize you are worthy of your achievements. Hernandez says that in time, he was able to cope with his imposter syndrome and even regarded it as a positive sign.

“I came to understand that this feeling was not unique to me, that even the most accomplished individuals wrestle with it, and it was a testament to my drive for continuous growth,” he wrote.

If you are interested in learning more about the services that Pacific’s Counseling and Psychological Services, you can call our front desk at 209.946.2315 x2.  

Additionally, please follow us on Instagram @PacificCAPS to receive daily mental health tips.  

Do you find yourself calling home every night, rethinking your decision to move away for college? Maybe you miss your old friends, or you’re having an especially hard week at school and feel overwhelmed without your parents. 

Homesickness is a common experience

Although you may feel alone in the experience, feeling homesick is more common than you think. A 2016 UCLA study found that almost three-quarters of first-year college students “occasionally” or “frequently” felt homesick, leading to increased isolation and loneliness. 

It was difficult to comprehend that my outgoing and secure friends were unhappy and missing home. Some people are better at concealing their feelings and emotions than others. I’m an introvert who dislikes showing negative emotions, so I fell into this category. 

Although I am entering my third year of college, I still feel homesick from time to time. I’ve learned that certain events trigger the feeling. For example, when my college friends drive home for a weekend. Or when my high school friends meet up for brunch and post pictures on their Snapchat stories. These scenarios used to leave me feeling empty and withdrawn, but I’ve learned to overcome them by keeping myself busy and working through the feelings. 

Get involved on campus to fight isolation

Joining organizations, clubs or intramural teams is a quick way to find friends and join a community. I understand it can be difficult and uncomfortable to put yourself out there but do it for the plot. Think back to kindergarten when you could be best friends with anyone you wanted because you were unapologetically yourself. Embrace that same energy in college and take risks. 

Once I started branching out of my athletic bubble by attending events, joining organizations and working for the university, I instantly felt more connected to the school and the Pacific community. 

Establish a routine

You can improve your mental and physical health by establishing a routine. Routines create structure, which is beneficial for first-year college students living away from home. When events are repetitive and predictable, you don’t have to worry about what to do next.   

During my first year, having a strict routine with volleyball practices, class and study hours helped me adapt to life on my own. It helped alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with new environments. There was always somewhere to be and things to do, and I was too busy to think about missing home.  

Use support systems to combat homesickness

You’re going to have rough days; it’s inevitable. Before panicking and making rash decisions, take a few deep breaths and figure out what you need in the situation. Maybe you need someone to vent to, or you need to take the night off from all your responsibilities.    

There are many resources at Pacific that can help you cope with homesickness. Talk to your roommate or reach out to your RA, who has already been through the transition to college. I found comfort in talking to my friends who were in similar situations and couldn’t just drive home. Knowing that I wasn’t the only one experiencing homesickness, made me feel less alone. 

If you need more assistance, reach out to student support resources like CAPS, Care Managers and Student Life. You can make a CAPS appointment online or contact them by calling their front desk at 209.946.2315 x2.  

Find a support system that will be there for you through the highs and lows. Recognize and tackle your homesickness as soon as possible. You will have an easier transition to college and flourish in your newfound independence! 

Megan Nishimura

Megan Nishimura is a fourth-year marketing major from Honolulu, Hawai’i. You can find her in Burns Tower as Enrollment Marketing’s student copywriter, in the stands as an athletics event staff worker or on the court as a member of Pacific’s Division 1 volleyball team.

Welcome to college! Whether you were the class president or the shy bookworm in high school, you are once again the little fish in the big pond. And that is exciting! Over the next four years you will have the opportunity to start fresh and grow into whoever you want to become. 

College will, without a doubt, be a journey. As a junior, I’ve come to appreciate the independence I’ve developed. I have grown much during my first two years at Pacific, and I anticipate learning and growing even more during my next two.

I have a bit of experience under my belt, so here are nine tips to help you survive (and thrive!) during your first year away from home.

Get involved on campus

There is a plethora of ways to get involved and meet new people at Pacific. You can join a club, rush a fraternity or find an on-campus job. I’m a member of Pacific’s volleyball team and a student copywriter for enrollment marketing at Pacific. Both positions have allowed me to meet and befriend various types of people from all across campus and the world. My experience at Pacific would not be the same without the relationships I’ve formed with my peers, my professors and the university.  

Go to class

Although it can be tempting to skip class, take my advice and just go. Many professors will include attendance credit in their final grades, so you don’t want to miss those free points. A good attendance record also informs professors that you are a committed student and care about their class. It might help you get extensions on assignments or boost your grade at the end of the semester. 

Stay organized

Whether you prefer to write things down on paper or digitally, keep track of due dates, exam dates and all other important events. Organization helps you stay on top of your assignments and alleviate unwanted stress. I track all major assignments and exams on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and use the Notes app as my weekly planner.  

Always check Canvas

Canvas is your home base for all school-related activities, so familiarize yourself with the platform and constantly check it. You can find your syllabus, access assignments, send messages and more all within this one application. Professors will often send announcements via Canvas, like cancelled classes or extra-credit opportunities. 

Ask for help

First, understand that it is normal to feel homesick or overwhelmed or just a little off at times. Discuss your feelings with a friend, a parent or someone who you trust, and reach out for more help if needed. There are many resources at Pacific, including free Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Remember, your mental health is equally as important as your physical health. 

Take time for yourself

Balancing school and a social life are by no means easy. Give yourself a break and ensure you are taking care of your mind and your body. In addition to eating, drinking water and sleeping, treat yourself to self-care and partake in activities that bring you joy. I like taking evening walks and watching the sunset at Knoles field while listening to Lizzy McAlpine.  

Use your meal plan efficiently

Since it’s mandatory for everyone who lives on campus to be on meal plan, consider using it to best benefit yourself. There are several places on campus to use them, and I recommend checking each of them out. Before using your own money to buy groceries from off campus, check if they have the items at the Grove. I like to pay for my Starbucks with meal plan and scan the app so I can rack up stars. It’s also convenient to link meal plan to Grubhub, so you can order ahead your 11 p.m. sweet potato fries craving from the Lair. 

Explore outside of Stockton

Stockton is great because there are so many cool places to explore just a short drive away. If you’re craving the outdoors, there’s Mission Peak, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park all less than 2.5-hours away. Take a day trip to the Bay or attend a professional sports game. One of my favorite memories was watching Stephen Curry play for the first time at Chase Center in San Francisco.  

Embrace the change

You are going to undergo so much change in the next four years, physically and emotionally. Looking back, I am not the same person I was when I first came to Pacific three years ago, and looking forward, I know I will leave a different person than I am now. Be open to new opinions, make your own educated decisions and discover what you truly value.  As cliché as it may sound, college is where you find yourself. 

I hope this advice replaces your worries with confidence and excitement. Enjoy the process, live in the moment and have a great first semester of college! 

Megan Nishimura

Megan Nishimura is a fourth-year marketing major from Honolulu, Hawai’i. You can find her in Burns Tower as Enrollment Marketing’s student copywriter, in the stands as an athletics event staff worker or on the court as a member of Pacific’s Division 1 volleyball team.

With graduation around the corner, I decided to catch up with some of our graduating seniors, before they walk, for their advice for incoming students. Here’s what they said:

Keep an open mind

Tyler McIntosh, Bachelor of Science in engineering management – computer science concentration

“For students interested in engineering management, I would recommend keeping an open mind when picking their concentration. This mindset can be applied to all aspects of college. You get exposed to a variety of different organizations, opportunities, people and more. Try new things and even when you settle on a major, don’t think it’s the end-all be-all. Take classes in a different field to broaden your knowledge and expand your skillset.”

For more advice from Tyler, check out this article.

Make the most of your opportunities

Emily Jarrell, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in sports management

“I made sure to attend every trip/opportunity presented to our sport management group. I went to Charlotte, Dallas, Arizona, Las Vegas and Stanford University for competitions and conferences this year. At the SBRnet marketing conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, my team and I presented our marketing case to the Charlotte Hornets. These networking events, the career seminar class and the sport management internship class have prepared me for post-graduation.”

Get to know your professors

Brooke Tran, Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in film studies, sociology and data science

“Pacific has great professors who want you to succeed, and I was fortunate to build great relationships with them. Our meetings outside of the classroom, whether it was getting breakfast at the DUC or coffee at Starbucks, are where we have the best conversations. I can talk about my future or bounce research ideas off them. They’re always very affirming, and our conversations give me confidence that I can make a difference in education policy.”

Learn more about Brooke’s Pacific experience.

Build a strong support system

Alfonso Villalobos III, Bachelor of Science in applied economics with minors in business administration and psychology

Congratulations, seniors, and best of luck with all future endeavors! And to all incoming Pacific students and parents, let me extend a warm welcome to the Tiger family!

About the author

Megan Nishimura

Megan Nishimura is a fourth-year marketing major from Honolulu, Hawai’i. You can find her in Burns Tower as Enrollment Marketing’s student copywriter, in the stands as an athletics event staff worker or on the court as a member of Pacific’s Division 1 volleyball team.

As a music education major, I have to balance a heavy course load with practicing, my social life, extracurriculars, working out, getting enough sleep and more.  Through trial and error, I have developed a few time management strategies utilizing my calendar that have really helped me to navigate this balancing act. I hope these tips will help you manage your time throughout college as well!

Tip #1: Schedule everything

From classes to free time, I put everything into my calendar, so I have structure in my day. In areas of time where I do not have any activities scheduled, I make sure to plan out what I will do for that period. If I leave unscheduled time without a plan, I do not accomplish much. Scheduling things like eating, homework, working out, or simply time to decompress can be really helpful with staying organized and on top of assignments.

Here’s an example of a day in my schedule. I use Apple’s Calendar app but most online calendars use the same functions.

Tip #2: Create a system

For me, if I leave everything the same color on my schedule, it becomes overwhelming. What works nicely instead is having a color-coding system, which helps with visualizing my schedule as well as quickly recognizing what type of activity is next. Some calendars have the option to simply change the color of each item while others, like Apple, require users to make separate calendars for each color.

Because I use Apple, I made a separate calendar for each color, which worked out nicely because I was able to create categories for my system. These categories help me with color-coding by giving a specific name for each category of event.

These are my categories:

Tip #3: Give yourself notes

One final way to utilize a calendar is to put notes on each event. This helps me with keeping track of what I want to practice, where my classes are located, what I want to study, etc. I find that these notes help me with making deadlines on schoolwork, effectively using my free time, and even with what I want to do at the gym that day.

Here’s an example of a period of time I allotted for studying, where I put upcoming assignments in my notes to know what to work on:

I hope these tips are helpful for organizing your schedule!

Check out more time management resources for college students. And, if you have productivity tips to share, let us know in the comments!

About the author

Tristan McMichael

Tristan McMichael ’25 is a music education major at University of the Pacific. He plays saxophone, flute, clarinet, and various other instruments. McMichael is the co-founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit Plumas Performing Arts and currently serves as the public relations officer. On campus, Tristan serves as public relations officer for the Pacific Pep Band, secretary for Pacific’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education and as the alumni secretary and the conservatory community service committee head for the Mu Eta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Additionally, McMichael is a member of the Tiger Team in the admissions office at the University of the Pacific.

My name is Tristan McMichael, and I am currently in my second year at University of the Pacific working toward my Bachelor of Music in Music Education. As someone who has recently applied to music colleges, I’m here to provide you with tips to help you get through the admissions process and ultimately, get into a music conservatory. 

I come from the small town of Quincy, California, where I did not have easy access to private lessons or music colleges, so I understand the struggle of navigating the process of applying for a music college or conservatory. From what to know about admission requirements to how to choose which university to attend, I hope these tips help demystify the application process and give you confidence as you start to apply to music conservatories. 

Tip #1: Know your admission requirements

Applying to college as a music major is like applying to the same college twice because you have your general university application that every student fills out, but then you also have your audition and interviews for the music department separately.

When I applied to school, I applied to three CSUs, the University of Nevada, Reno, and University of the Pacific. The audition requirements for each were completely different, which meant I needed to learn more repertoire and scale patterns for my auditions on saxophone. 

 Tip #2: Have trial lessons with professors

While I was applying to schools, my high school band director recommended that I reach out to the applied professor (the professor who teaches private lessons for a specific instrument) of saxophone at each school and schedule a trial lesson with them. This advice is the best tip I can offer any incoming music major because the applied professor is the one professor a music student will work with closely for their entire collegiate experience. I am incredibly thankful that I knew to do this because it informed my college decision. 

After I had a trial lesson with each professor, I was able to narrow my choices down to three colleges. I ended up choosing Pacific because I really enjoyed the trial lesson I had with Professor Ricardo Martinez, the applied saxophone professor at the Conservatory of Music (and because of the financial aid offer and the amazing music education program led by Professor Ruth Brittin here). Trial lessons are not only a great way to see what professor fits best for you, but they are also a great way to get helpful advice on your audition repertoire and technique to improve before you ultimately audition for your selected universities!

 Tip #3: Practice efficiently for auditions 

Something that I wish I knew when I was preparing for my auditions is how to effectively practice and prepare repertoire. A common misconception is that “practice makes perfect.” This is only true if the repertoire is practiced perfectly. Practice makes permanent, which means that the final product may still contain mistakes. 

In a master class last year, I was told that it takes three repetitions to make something semi-permanent. This stuck with me because if I were to practice something incorrectly several times in a row, it would become a habit, which is hard to break. After this master class, I adjusted how I practice so that I now prioritize accuracy, even if that meant playing passages at very slow tempos. Though this may seem obnoxious at first, it saves time in the long run because I no longer have to go back and try to break bad habits after they are formed. 

A practice journal is a great way to efficiently practice because it helps you to track your progress and plan your practice sessions before they happen. In my experience, going into a practice session without a goal or a specific passage to work on was a waste of time because I always ended up just practicing what I knew already. When I applied to college, I had two pieces of repertoire, two etudes, and 12 different scales to learn between the five schools I applied to. In order to efficiently practice, I would have goals with what I wanted to achieve with the materials and by what date. After each practice session, I would write down a reflection on how I did, along with what I wanted to improve on in the next practice session. This was both a great way to track my progress and to be able to recall what I needed to practice in the following sessions. 

If you would like to learn more about applying to Pacific as a music major, visit our Conservatory of Music admissions page. 

About the author

Tristan McMichael

Tristan McMichael ’25 is a music education major at University of the Pacific. He plays saxophone, flute, clarinet, and various other instruments. McMichael is the co-founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit Plumas Performing Arts and currently serves as the public relations officer. On campus, Tristan serves as public relations officer for the Pacific Pep Band, secretary for Pacific’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education and as the alumni secretary and the conservatory community service committee head for the Mu Eta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Additionally, McMichael is a member of the Tiger Team in the admissions office at the University of the Pacific.