It’s hard to believe, but college application deadlines are right around the corner!

Before you hit submit on your application, we’ve put together a quick explainer on how to apply to college and a checklist to guide you through the process.

How to apply

There are two ways to submit your application to Pacific: the Pacific Admission Application and the Common App. Each method has its own benefits and things to know before filling out and submitting your application.

Pacific Application

The Pacific Admission Application is a streamlined way for first-year students to complete their applications to Pacific in just one sitting. To complete the Pacific Admission Application, follow these three simple steps:

1. Fill in the form on the first page with your personal information. Then, click continue.
2. On the next page, Application Management, click “Start an Application” to begin.
3. Answer a few quick questions about your academics, your plans for college and your extracurriculars/accomplishments. You can also upload your personal statement on the spot, or you can complete and send it to us later. Hit save and continue.
4. On the final page, review your application details and complete your agreement. Then, click submit. Pacific will then set up an account for you and notify you about next steps, including how to submit your transcripts and other documents.

The Common App

You can also apply to Pacific through the Common App, an online college application platform that allows you to submit a standard application form for multiple colleges and universities.

For this method, you’ll need to create an account on the Common App website, then follow a few quick steps to apply to Pacific:

1. Once you’ve created your Common App account, use the College Search tab to search for University of the Pacific.
2. Add Pacific to your “My Colleges” list by clicking the “Add to My Colleges” button on the information page.
3. Complete the Common Application, a series of common questions that apply to all schools on your list. This is also where you will submit your personal statement.
4. Go to your Dashboard to view application requirements for Pacific and keep track of your application status. Complete all supplemental requirements for your Pacific application as shown on your Dashboard.
5. Once you have completed all application requirements, hit the “Review and Submit” button. Make sure your information is accurate, then submit!

Pro-tip: The Common App has a great application guide for first-year students with tips and video tutorials on its website.

Application Checklist: Tips for Success

You can reference this list throughout the application process to make sure you aren’t missing any key steps. We recommend bookmarking this page so you can pull it up as you’re completing your application.

1. Keep track of deadlines. Pacific’s application deadlines are November 15 and January 15 — mark them on your calendar and set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
2. Request letter of recommendation (optional). Make sure to give your recommender plenty of time to write your letter — and don’t forget to send a thank you note.
3. Make sure your transcripts are sent. Make sure to talk to your high school counselor about your application deadlines to ensure your transcripts are sent to Pacific in a timely manner.
4. Gather your materials. Before getting ready to fill out your online application, make sure you have everything you need on hand, including:
   
   – A copy of your high school transcript to report your grades and current courses
   – A list of your extracurricular activities, work or volunteer experiences, awards and honors
   – SAT or ACT scores if you have them (Pacific is test optional)
   – Family information, including your parents’ occupations, employment status and level of education
5. Read application questions and instructions carefully. Make sure to go through each question carefully and take your time while answering so you don’t miss important details.
6. Take plenty of time on your personal statement. Your essay is your chance to shine and our chance to get to know you on a personal level, so don’t wait until the last minute to write it! We recommend writing a few drafts and sharing your essay with at least two people to get feedback before you submit. And don’t forget to proofread!
7. Do a final review.  Better safe than sorry! Go over everything one more time to make sure you haven’t missed anything and all your information is accurate.
8. Give yourself a pat on the back. You did it! Sit back, relax and treat yourself for all your hard work.  
9. Keep an eye on your application portal and email. Admission decisions will be released in March. In the meantime, learn more about the Pacific experience or schedule a campus tour.

This article is part of the Before You Submit series, where we offer tips to help guide you through the application process. Check out part two to learn more about writing your personal statement.

If you have any additional questions about applying to Pacific, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 209.946.2211 or admission@pacific.edu. Happy application season!

Navigating the college admission process can feel overwhelming, especially with all the jargon that gets thrown around. If you’re a high school senior applying to colleges, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the key terms used in the process. Here’s a guide to some of the most common college admission terms and their definitions to help you as you apply to college. 

Term: Application deadline 

The final date by which your college application, along with all required materials (like essays and transcripts), must be submitted. There are different types of deadlines, such as Regular Decision, Early Action and Early Decision. 

Term: Bachelor’s degree 

An undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon completion of a specific course of study, usually lasting four years. Examples include Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. 

Term: Direct admission 

Under direct admission, a college might offer you a spot before you even apply—if you meet certain academic or sometimes demographic criteria. Plus, in some cases, they’ll even waive the application fee. 

Term: Early Action (EA) 

A non-binding application process that allows you to apply early (usually by November) and receive a decision earlier than Regular Decision applicants. Since it’s non-binding, you can still apply to other schools and are not required to attend the school if admitted. Pacific’s Early Action application deadline is November 15.

Term: Early Decision (ED) 

A binding application process similar to Early Action but with a significant difference: if you’re accepted under Early Decision, you are committed to attending that college and must withdraw any other college applications. This option is for students who are absolutely sure about their first-choice school. Pacific does not have an Early Decision deadline. 

Term: Regular Decision 

The standard application process with a deadline usually between January and February. Pacific’s Regular Decision deadline is January 15. Unlike Early Decision, you’re not bound to attend the school if admitted, and you can take your time to weigh multiple offers before making a final decision. 

Term: Common Application (Common App) 

A single online application that can be used to apply to multiple colleges and universities. It streamlines the application process by allowing you to submit the same application to several schools, though some schools may have additional, school-specific supplements. You can apply to Pacific through the Common App or the Pacific Application. Pacific also offers direct admission to first-generation, low- and middle-income students through the Common App.   

Term: Test-optional 

A policy where submitting standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) is not required for admission. Many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to give students more flexibility. Pacific is a test-optional school. 

Term: Test-blind 

A policy where colleges do not consider standardized test scores in the admission process, even if submitted. This is different from test-optional, where scores can still be included if you think they will strengthen your application. 

Term: Waitlist 

A list of applicants who are neither accepted nor rejected during the regular admission cycle. If space becomes available in the incoming class, students on the waitlist may be offered admission. However, being on a waitlist does not guarantee acceptance. 

Term: Deferred 

If you apply Early Action or Early Decision and receive a deferral, it means your application will be reconsidered during the Regular Decision period. It’s not a rejection, but rather a decision to review your application later with the regular applicant pool. 

Term: Gap year 

A year-long break taken between high school and college. Some students choose to take a gap year to travel, work, or engage in other activities before starting their college education. Many colleges allow students to defer their admission for a year if they choose to take a gap year. 

Term: Financial aid 

Assistance provided to students to help cover the cost of college. This can include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Financial aid packages are typically based on your financial need, as determined by your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission. 

Term: Merit-based aid 

Financial aid awarded based on a student’s achievements, such as academic excellence, athletic skill, or artistic talent, rather than financial need. This aid can come from the college itself or from outside organizations. 

Term: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 

The form used to apply for financial aid from the federal government, state governments, and most colleges. The FAFSA collects information about your family’s financial situation to determine your eligibility for need-based aid. 

Term: CSS profile 

A financial aid application used by some colleges (mainly private institutions) to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid. The CSS Profile requires more detailed financial information than the FAFSA and may include questions about non-custodial parent income, home equity, and other assets. 

Term: Personal statement 

A required essay in which you can tell the admissions committee more about yourself. This is your chance to highlight your personality, experiences, goals and what makes you a good fit for the college. 

Term: Supplemental essays 

Additional essays required by some colleges that focus on specific topics or questions. These essays provide another opportunity to show your fit for a particular school and can be crucial in highly selective admissions processes. 

Term: Recommendation letter 

A letter written by a teacher, counselor, or another adult who knows you well and can speak to your abilities, character, and potential. Colleges use these letters to gain insight into how you interact with others and what you’ll contribute to their campus community. Pacific does not require recommendation letters for most majors, but you may need them to apply for some scholarships. 

Term: Major 

The specific area of study you choose to focus on in college. Your major determines the core courses you will take, and it usually requires a certain number of credits in that field. Examples of majors include biology, business, psychology and computer science. 

Term: Grade-point average (GPA) 

A numerical representation of your academic performance in high school, usually on a scale of 4.0. It’s calculated by averaging the grades you’ve earned in your courses, with each grade corresponding to a point value (e.g., A = 4.0, B = 3.0). 

Term: Weighted grade-point average (GPA) 

A GPA that considers the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken. For example, honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are often given extra weight (e.g., an A in an AP class might be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0). This can result in a GPA higher than 4.0. 

Term: Official transcripts 

A document issued by your high school that lists all the courses you’ve taken and the grades you’ve earned. Colleges require official transcripts as part of your application to verify your academic record. These transcripts must be sent directly from your high school to the college to be considered official. 

Understanding these terms is just one step in the college admission process, but it’s an important one. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the application season with confidence. Good luck! 

Take the next step

Apply Today

Are you stressing about college apps? We’ve got your back. With our streamlined process, applying to Pacific doesn’t need to be daunting. In fact, you can submit your application right away and take care of your essay, letters of recommendation and resume later.

“Our application process will allow students to quickly get required questions and paperwork on the application out of the way to give them time to focus on their essay and collecting their recommendations,” says Jeff Levine, dean of undergraduate admission. “We also have regular reminder emails to students letting them know exactly what they are missing in the process.”

Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know.

How to apply

1. Submit your application – Apply via Pacific Admission Application. Apply by the Early Action deadline, November 15, or January 15 to meet the regular admission deadline. If you apply by the Early Action deadline, you’ll receive your admission decision by December 20 and get first-round consideration for honors programs and scholarships, so we recommend you apply as soon as possible!

• Provide your supporting documents – As long as you submitted your admission application, you can upload your essay, recommendations and/or resume at a later date. Submit these supporting documents via your applicant portal or email them directly to admission@pacific.edu.

• Get updates – Once your admission application is submitted, Pacific will send you a courtesy email reminder about anything that might still be missing to complete the process, so you can make sure you’re on track!

Tips for a stress-free application process

1. Take your time – Our application process is designed to learn more about you, so take your time to work on your essay and resume before submitting them. Informative and well-written submissions will benefit you throughout the application process.

• Keep deadlines handy – Stay up to date with admissions deadlines and required documents by bookmarking the Undergrad student admission page. That way, you can keep a convenient list of everything you need to know handy as you work on your application.

3. Ask questions – If you have questions, visit our Admission Team page to find your counselor and their contact information, or contact the admissions department at admission@pacific.edu or 209.946.2211. You can also check out our virtual admission sessions to learn more about the process and ask any questions you may have.

Happy applying! Don’t forget to submit your application today!

When you apply to college, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to apply for Early Action Admission or Regular Admission. 

At Pacific, some programs require an Early Action application—namely the Pre-Dental Advantage Program and the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program. If you are applying to the Powell Scholars or the Pacific Humanities Scholars honors programs and want first-round consideration, you should submit an Early Action application. 

But even if you’re not applying to those programs, there are other advantages to applying early: 

• You get a decision before the holidays
  At Pacific, if you apply by the Nov. 15 Early Action deadline, you will find out if you’re admitted by Dec. 20.
• Scholarship opportunities
  There is more scholarship money available at the beginning of the application season than later, so it is possible your financial options could be greater.
• Receive your financial aid package earlier
  Unlike many universities, Pacific sends your financial aid offer at the same time you receive your admission decision.
• Early decision = peace of mind
  Learning whether you’ve been admitted allows you to enjoy the holiday season without worrying about your future at Pacific.
• Special events
  Pacific hosts special events exclusively for early admitted students that help you and your family decide whether Pacific is the right fit for you.

Application deadlines  

Here are the important dates to remember when applying: 

• Early Action: Nov. 15 
  Admission notification: Dec. 20 
• Regular Action: Jan. 15 
  Admission notification: March 15 

Whether you decided on Early Admission or Regular Admission, you can use Pacific’s application or the Common Application. You can find both on Pacific’s undergraduate admission page.