Pacific University

Pacific University, founded in 1849, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the western United States. The University is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and offers a wide variety of academic programs, taught by professors who enjoy teaching. Pacific’s modern facilities and safe, pleasant environment provide a perfect setting for international students who seek a challenging academic experience in a friendly and personal environment.

Highlights

• Ideal location in the safe, friendly town of Forest Grove, close to the Oregon Coast and the Cascade Mountains, and only 25 miles from downtown Portland
  
• Automatic scholarships, ranging from $4,000-$7,000 per year, for entering undergraduate international students who meet eligibility requirements
  
• English Language Institute helps students improve language proficiency, and prepares them to enroll in the undergraduate program
  
• Flexible undergraduate admission policy for students needing additional ESL study
  
• No TOEFL requirement for international transfer students with at least 30 transferable credits from an accredited institution in the United States
  
• Small classes, and opportunities to work closely with faculty
  
• Excellent services for international students including immigration advising, orientation program, airport pick-up, and housing assistance
  
• On-campus accommodation for most students

Location

The beautiful, tree-covered campus of Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, a safe and friendly town of 18,000, only 25 miles from the center of Portland, Oregon’s largest city, and a short distance from the Oregon Coast, and the spectacular Cascade Mountains. Forest Grove is served by the Portland public transportation system, and therefore students have easy access to shopping, theatre, art galleries, and the many other cultural and recreational activities available in the “City of Roses,” as Portland is known.

Majors

Pacific currently offers 52 majors leading to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. Graduate degrees are offered in optometry, psychology, physical therapy, education, and occupational therapy.

Scholarships

Pacific University offers substantial scholarships to undergraduate international students. These renewable scholarships, which range from $4,000 to $7,000 per year, are awarded automatically to undergraduate students who have achieved a minimum 3.00 converted Grade Point Average on prior secondary school and/or university-level coursework.

English Language Institute

Pacific University’s English Language Institute prepares international students and other non-native speakers to use American English successfully. The ELI program offers conditional admission. Conditional admission is available for students who have the academic qualifications to enter Pacific university, but lack the English language skills to fully enter our undergraduate program. Students planning to transfer into the undergraduate program will receive extensive support and encouragement from ELI faculty and staff to assist with their transition. Pacific University will allow students to begin studying towards an undergraduate degree and earn college credit for English language classes at the same time.

The ELI also offers students the flexibility to study English in seven week terms and even short three-week intensive English language programs. The seven week terms offer a variety of choices to increase your English skill level. You may choose between speaking, listening, reading and writing. Many students take seven week classes and also volunteer within the community. This combination enhances students’ ability to think and speak in English. Our three week intensive English programs in International Business and Language and Culture allow students to work on their English language skills and explore Oregon, one of the most beautiful states in this nation. Typical activities included in our short term programs are: trips to the beach, river rafting, cross-country skiing, shopping in Portland, visits to Nike, Intel, and Adidas headquarters, and hikes in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.

Students in the ELI enjoy small classes, personal attention from the teaching staff, American conversation partners, and an outstanding curriculum, which places equal emphasis on reading, writing, speaking and listening. They can choose to live on campus, in the residence halls, or in a homestay, with an American family.

Housing

On-campus housing is available for most international students in all three of Pacific’s residence halls. The residence halls provide international students with an excellent opportunity to meet other Pacific students and make friends. Many activities are planned in the halls during the academic year, and each wing in each hall has a Resident Assistant, who is responsible for helping the residents of their wing with a variety of general concerns and issues.

Activities

Many activities are available for students in their free time. Pacific University has athletic teams for both men (soccer, cross-country, basketball, tennis, swimming, golf, and baseball) and women (volleyball, soccer, cross-country, basketball, swimming, tennis and golf). Other clubs and activities offered include a student newspaper, a student literary magazine and clubs ranging from a Tae Kwon Do club to a drama club.