Pacific University

[l2en]

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Who's all applying or attending Pacific? It seems like people on this forum mostly only talk about ICO or SUNY...where are all the Pacific students?? Can anyone tell me a little about the campus, the town, the school, etc?? I had an interview with Pacific when they visited my hometown, and i have yet to finish sending in the rest of my application...would it be too late if i sent in in the beginning of November? I figure since my OAT scores won't reach them until early December it won't hurt for them to not have my application right away? any thoughts? thanks in advance!

 

[Bhartiben Patel]

nc

 

[HYCW]

Who's all applying or attending Pacific? It seems like people on this forum mostly only talk about ICO or SUNY...where are all the Pacific students?? Can anyone tell me a little about the campus, the town, the school, etc?? I had an interview with Pacific when they visited my hometown, and i have yet to finish sending in the rest of my application...would it be too late if i sent in in the beginning of November? I figure since my OAT scores won't reach them until early December it won't hurt for them to not have my application right away? any thoughts? thanks in advance!

Hiya! I'll pipe in. I'm not a Pacific student, but I interviewed there last year and can tell you my impressions. There's only a handful of students from there who post on this board (like Chester).

I really liked the people I met at Pacific. Michael Goodwin in the Admissions Office is awesome and really personable. The students and faculty I met at my interview went out of their way to make me feel welcome and part of their community. And the two alumni I know really enjoyed their time at Pacific and have nothing but positive things to say. Portland is also a BEAUTIFUL town and very affordable.

That said, what I didn't like was: the location--school itself is in a very small town about 30 mins from Portland. I'm a big city girl and it felt claustrophic to me...and the lack of ethnic eateries would have done me in!! Also, the on-campus clinic wasn't as up-to-date as I would have hoped for a private school (but I think it's being remodeled, not positive tho...) You also do clinic rotations at their Portland clinic which is cool because you'll get a wider patient base, but not having a car might be a problem. Finally, the weather is often really cold and cloudy! It made visiting the campus a bit of a downer since everything looked gray.

As for your app--if you send it all in now, you can get reviewed before your OAT score comes in Dec and get a conditional acceptance (which happened to me and took a huge load off my mind.)

Good luck!

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I'm also applying to Pacifc...well I'm in the process of applying that is. I'm waiting on my academic LOR and finishing two of the essays. (The one of the scope of optometry in the year 2015 is killing me!) I've heard very positive things from everyone I've talked to about Pacific. I currently work with a doctor who graduated in May, and if I end up being half of the doctor she is I'll be in great shape. I'm in Reno, NV, and a lot of the doctors here have gone to Pacific because of its location on the West Coast and WICHE (an agreement between some western states to give each other's students a HUGE break on tuition at certain schools). I'm trying desperately to get everything finished and in as soon as possible. Anyone who is currently attending Pacific have anything to say? THANKS! p.greeneyes

 

[ddown]

Pacific recently updated every clinic and procedures lane with brand new equipment. EVERYTHING, including lensometers was replaced in all four clinics. Also, within a couple of years a large new clinic which will be opened in Hillsboro (between Forest Grove and Portland). As far as ancillary equipment goes, we recieved new fundus cameras, GDX, RTA........and the list goes on.

As far as Forest Grove...it's a small town without much going on. The solution is to live closer to Portland. Several of us live in Hillsboro/Beaverton and carpool out to school everday. It takes about 20 minutes each way.

The weather is rainy A LOT. But you get used to it.

 

[chester]

Who's all applying or attending Pacific? It seems like people on this forum mostly only talk about ICO or SUNY...where are all the Pacific students?? Can anyone tell me a little about the campus, the town, the school, etc?? I had an interview with Pacific when they visited my hometown, and i have yet to finish sending in the rest of my application...would it be too late if i sent in in the beginning of November? I figure since my OAT scores won't reach them until early December it won't hurt for them to not have my application right away? any thoughts? thanks in advance!

Quite honestly, the rainy weather at in Forest Grove & Pacific is very condusive to studying. Like ddown said, the new equipment at the clinics and on campus is very cool. Some advice about Pacific: do not be deterred by their crummy website. If you come to Pacific for an interview, ask about the well-rounded curriculum and the future of the optometry program...it is VERY exciting. Personally, I don't really like Forest Grove, but I came from a really fun college town, so I've been spoiled. What I do really like is Portland (great music and food), and the Oregon coast (yes, cold water, but very pretty). The cost of living here is pretty low...my appartment is $640/month, which is split with my roomie, so I pay $320/month, and we're only about 1-1.5 miles from campus. The professors are very approachable and even the dean of the college (the optometry college) teaches one of our classes. At first, I didn't like the laptop requirement, but now I see how much easier it makes learning. Simply download the lecture, and whatever you don't understand...look it up in the text book. It is a good template for learning exactly what the profs want you to know, which will make studying for NBEO easier. Pacific students are able to choose what equipment they buy (retinascopes, ophthalmoscopes, etc). I'm not sure if other schools give you a choice.

 

[scalded]

I sent in my application to Pacific just last week yay! 🙂

I have to say the town is dull dull dull, but what do you expect with a place that small? I grew up 40 minutes away in McMinnville (another small town) so I'm used to it. Portland is always fun though and it's fairly close.

 

[l2en]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I agree, being in a small town would help with the studying ALOT. I think if i went to SUNY or some other big city campus i'd be too busy exploring to study...🙂
Are there dorms that students can live in? or do you have to find an apartment in the town?

 

[chester]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I agree, being in a small town would help with the studying ALOT. I think if i went to SUNY or some other big city campus i'd be too busy exploring to study...🙂
Are there dorms that students can live in? or do you have to find an apartment in the town?

I don't think the graduate students can live in the dorms because there aren't very many dorms to begin with...the school probably reserves them for the undergrads. There are a few appartment complexes where a lot of optometry students live....similar to dorms in a way. Who wants to have an RA anyways?!

 

[ucbsowarrior]

mr. goodwin is no longer at puco

 

[prettygreeneyes]

mr. goodwin is no longer at puco

I was in contact with Mr. Goodwin through email as of the 13th of September. Not sure if he has left since then...

 

[gsinccom]

mr goodwin is gone and the new graduate/professional programs admissions officer is Janelle Holmboe. I've been in contact with her for a while now.

 

[ODDream]

Are you guys serious no Mr. Goodwin, that guy was asewome, he took my interview really nice guy and I thought I left a really good impression on him, any idea where he went or what happened? Also who is this new person and what is she like? He has been doin this for a couple of years now its sad to hear that he felt.....a real asset to the school....

ODDream

 

[kid]

I'm also applying to Pacifc...well I'm in the process of applying that is. I'm waiting on my academic LOR and finishing two of the essays. (The one of the scope of optometry in the year 2015 is killing me!) I've heard very positive things from everyone I've talked to about Pacific. I currently work with a doctor who graduated in May, and if I end up being half of the doctor she is I'll be in great shape. I'm in Reno, NV, and a lot of the doctors here have gone to Pacific because of its location on the West Coast and WICHE (an agreement between some western states to give each other's students a HUGE break on tuition at certain schools). I'm trying desperately to get everything finished and in as soon as possible. Anyone who is currently attending Pacific have anything to say? THANKS! p.greeneyes

Hey i an working on those questions right now as well, that 2015 Q is a tough one to answer. am i applying to late or am i okay with time? does anyone know?

 

[chester]

Are you guys serious no Mr. Goodwin, that guy was asewome, he took my interview really nice guy and I thought I left a really good impression on him, any idea where he went or what happened? Also who is this new person and what is she like? He has been doin this for a couple of years now its sad to hear that he felt.....a real asset to the school....

ODDream

I think he went back to undergrad, so he could get the prereqs to get into Pacific's Optometry program! So, he'll likely be back...

 

[l2en]

are you guys serious? Mr. Goodwin was soo awesome! 🙁 What's going to happen now with the people he interviewed? cause wasn't he supposed to be sitting in on the decision making and putting his 2 cents in about how the interview went and such??

 

[ucbsowarrior]

are you guys serious? Mr. Goodwin was soo awesome! 🙁 What's going to happen now with the people he interviewed? cause wasn't he supposed to be sitting in on the decision making and putting his 2 cents in about how the interview went and such??

you homies got it all wrong!

if you are reapplying to puco (and many other schools) you'll need to have a new interview, even if you've had interviews in the past. i believe for most schools - new interviews are required.

 

[xmattODx]

you homies got it all wrong!

if you are reapplying to puco (and many other schools) you'll need to have a new interview, even if you've had interviews in the past. i believe for most schools - new interviews are required.

reapplying? who said anything about reapplying?

My understanding of the admissions process is that everything is scored. So your interview will have a score on it and I'm sure they'll still be in contact with Mr. Goodwin.

 

[ucbsowarrior]

reapplying? who said anything about reapplying?

My understanding of the admissions process is that everything is scored. So your interview will have a score on it and I'm sure they'll still be in contact with Mr. Goodwin.

correct! your interview will be scored

but

depends when you took your interview - if you took the interview with mr. goodwin, the score is no longer valid - in most cases

matt, when did you take your interview?

later - ucbsowarrior

 

[xmattODx]

correct! your interview will be scored

but

depends when you took your interview - if you took the interview with mr. goodwin, the score is no longer valid - in most cases

matt, when did you take your interview?

later - ucbsowarrior

7 years ago.

Don't lie to these kids. They won't have to re-do their interview.

 

[l2en]

my interview was only 2 months ago!