by Rina Campbell on November 1, 2010
Once again November is here, and so begins the season of college application deadlines. This is typically the time of year when colleges either have a priority or an absolute strict application deadline for the upcoming school year.
Here at FPU, our priorty deadline is November 15th. What does that mean exactly? It means if your child applies by November 15th, he/she will be one of the first students to be accepted into the university and awarded financial aid. Some of our scholarships and grants are on a first come, first serve basis, so this is an important date. Don’t panic if all of the application pieces are not submitted, such as the reference form or essays, all we ask is for the initial applications itself to be completed by the 15th.
The other day I was at yogurt shop and ran into the family of a current student. The parents were in town visiting her and on the way to one of her athletic matches. When I asked about how the semester has been, her mom welled up with tears and told me about all of the wonderful things her daughter has been doing. I could clearly see that she missed her little girl, but at the same time, how happy she was having her at FPU. The daughter is shy, so the parents worried about her fitting in here. But she has gotten involved in several clubs on campus and has formed some wonderful friendships. She also loves her classes and is thinking about becoming a social worker. Their story reminded me about why I love working here. I have an opportunity to help students pursue their dreams and accomplish their goals.
Well, I hope to see your student’s application come across my desk soon! And I encourage you to visit our campus if you haven’t had a chance.
Rina Campbell
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Fresno Pacific University
rina.campbell@fresno.edu
by Rina Campbell on October 4, 2010
If your students is a senior, you probably already know that now is the time to start applying for colleges. Many parents have seen countless numbers of college brochures and letters come through the mail. After awhile, they all seem to look alike. So, what should parents take into consideration when looking for the right university? I have worked in higher education enrollment for over 10 years now and these are the questions I would ask:
- What size college will be the best for my kid? Would he thrive in a larger campus or would he be more comfortable in a smaller one? I think this can be largly be determined by his personality and learning style. Generally if you skim over a university brochure, it will list not only total student enrollment, but also the student to faculty ratio. For example, Fresno Pacific’s ratio is 16:1.
- Will the classes prepare students for their future careers? This will require some research, but if she wants to be a Pre-Med major, you need to find out how many of that college’s students make it into medical school. If your students is undecided about her major, are there services to help her figure it out? Is there a strong Career Services Center or a good advising program? Ask about internship opportunities regardless of your child’s major.
- Can we afford the tuition? This is a sensitive yet necessary topic. Before you eliminate colleges based on price, consider what types of financial aid are available. I think the biggest misconception of private institutions is that they are too expensive. Private universities are often able to give more back to the students than public institutions based on financial need, academics, athletics, music ability and other interests. FPU provides over $8 million in financial aid. Apply for the colleges your student is interested in and once he has been accepted, the colleges will determine how much financial aid they can offer. It never hurts to apply and colleges will sometimes waive the application fee if you ask!
- Is it probable for my student to graduate in 4 years? Most assume that a college education can be completed in that amount of time. Afterall, that’s why they call it a 4 year university, right? Take a look at the school’s 4 year graduation rate and you may be very surprised. For example, the average CSU graduation rate is 15%. That means only 15 out of 100 students graduates in 4 years. FPU has the highest graduation rate in the Central Valley and we have a 4 year Graduation Guarantee that states your child will graduate in 4 years or we will pay for his 5th year of college. For more details see www.experiencefpu.com/guarantee.
- Does the college support the interests of my student? There is more to college than academics. A college should help your son or daughter become a well-rounded adult. Whether your student is interested in student government or study abroad opportunuities, find out what the school offers.
There is no right or wrong answers to these questions. No college is the best one for all students. It is based on their interests and preferences. You can help your children determine which college is best for them by going through the list above. I know it can be an overwhelming process, but I hope these few suggestions will help you navigate your way through.
Rina Campbell
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Fresno Pacific University
Once again November is here, and so begins the season of college application deadlines. This is typically the time of year when colleges either have a priority or an absolute strict application deadline for the upcoming school year. 
