Admissions

Be ready to examine your core convictions while you are here; while you won't be forced to believe anything, there is a very large emphasis on discovering what you yourself have faith in, and not necessarily what everyone else around you believes. Be open-minded, but don't think you have to radically change what you believe. Be ready to grow.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can--it will pay off. Also make sure you apply for University Scholars if you are any good at writing, or if you're just interested in getting better at writing. You'll do a lot of essays but it's worth it to have all the school's best professors inviting you to their office whenever you want help! Apply for housing as soon as possible, and try to get into Ashton or Hill (they are commonly known as the friendliest and best halls). And make sure to schedule an entrance interview; it's not required, but it really helps the admissions office get to know you and helps you get to know the school.

One major tip for prospective students is that if you decide to come to SPU, get with your adviser early to schedule your desired degree. When I first came, I was able to work with my adviser to plan out all three years in advance for me to graduate with my degree. This will make life a lot easier for when class registration rolls around and everybody starts worrying about finding what classes they need to take. You will already have it all right there in front of you, with a couple of options for if any of your classes have already been filled. Which leads me to another tip... If you are in a state that allows Running Start, or any other program to get college credit while still in high school, do it! It makes things so much more simple, and it also helps balance out the cost of the university when you are able to cut down a year or two for having those classes already taken.

Throughout the application process find ways to insert personal insights about you. Admissions staff read hundreds and hundreds of applications. Find a way to make yours stand out; this will go a longer way than you could ever imagine. Upon arrival, don't overload yourself immediately and cause unwanted stress and negative circumstances for yourself later. Ease yourself into the community around you; it is very welcoming and open with a spot for everyone.

Be ready for diversity!

The Christian aspect is a huge part of SPU. You won't be forced to believe anything, but you will be encouraged to discover what you believe. Be ready to meet students who are very active in their faith.
Take part in as many campus activities as possible. They are there for a reason! These will help you get engaged and make lifelong friends. This will make for a better experience all together. Live on campus and leave your dorm door open.

The friends you make at the beginning of the year are not necessarily the people you will be friends with later. Make the most of every situation and don't be afraid to be friendly and outgoing. College is what you make out of it! Make sure you are just able to to balance your time, you'll regret it later if you don't. By the way, sharing a bathroom with 35 other people is not nearly as bad as one may expect, I promise!

If you are interested, start researching the school earlier because the faster you know if you want to go the earlier you can apply. Also the earlier you apply the more financial aid you receive and the more priority you are given.

It's a great experience so far. Just don't forget to study!

I hightly recommend planning a visit to get the full feel and experience of our beautiful campus. Also, as it is a private school, it is very expensive, but truly worth it. I would just suggest you save as much money as possible, apply for all scholarships and grants that you qualify for, as every penny will surely count. SPU is Christan affiliated, but it's not required as all opportunities are there but everything is up to whether you want to be a part or not.