Applying to college is an exciting time for your next step in life, but it can also be a lot of work. If you’re interested in attending University of the Pacific, though, there’s another option to apply.
With Niche Direct Admissions, you could be accepted into Pacific immediately, no need to submit a personal essay and no application fee. You might even find out you’re eligible for a merit-based scholarship at the same time.
What is direct admissions? It’s an approach more colleges have started offering in recent years alongside traditional applications. If you meet certain criteria, you’re in. Some colleges, including Pacific, will also waive the application fee for this method. Learn about it and other common college admission terms here.
It may sound too good to be true, but it is a real option. To help you get through the process, here’s a guide to Niche Direct Admissions.
Navigating Niche’s website
If you head to Niche’s website, you’ll see that the company does a lot more than just direct admissions. Its overall goal is to help students like yourself compare colleges and universities across the U.S.
You can use the website’s search function to research colleges you’re interested in and learn more about admissions, average cost for attendees, campus life and so on. It also grades colleges on factors including value, professors and diversity. You may be interested to hear Pacific scores A’s in all three!
If you’re looking for more information, you can also check out Niche’s blog, indexed scholarship list or student reviews.
Using Niche Direct Admissions
Signing up for a Niche profile is a quick process. You only need to provide some demographic information, your desired major, your current GPA and, optionally, your SAT or ACT scores. Once you’ve made your profile, you can find Pacific’s Niche page and indicate your interest there.
Once you’ve done all that, Niche will immediately let you know if you qualify for acceptance at Pacific. This works because Pacific has given Niche minimum requirements for applicants. If you meet those criteria, then you’re in!
Getting scholarships with direct admission
If you are accepted into Pacific through Niche Direct Admission, you may also receive a merit-based scholarship at the same time. This scholarship is funded by Pacific, meaning that it’s bundled with your acceptance and cannot be transferred to other direct admission acceptances.
If you’re accepted without being offered a scholarship, don’t fret. Those are entirely separate from need-based financial aid determined when you file a FAFSA form. You may still be eligible for state or federal assistance. Filing FAFSA still helps determine your eligibility for state or federal assistance, scholarships and the Federal Work-Study program.
OK, I’ve been accepted to Pacific. What’s next?
If you qualify for acceptance to Pacific and have indicated on Niche that you’re interested in attending, Pacific’s admission team will send you an email with your next steps. You will also need to submit your transcripts to verify information provided on Niche. Admission offers depend on this being accurate.
Keep in mind that a drop in your GPA after being accepted may affect your admission to Pacific.
Is direct admission binding? You may be hesitant about taking this next step, still trying to figure out if Pacific is the right campus for you. Keep in mind that filling out this paperwork isn’t a binding decision. You can still choose to commit to another college without consequence.
This would also be a great time to schedule a visit, see Pacific’s scenic campus and learn more about what your academic journey could look like.
If Pacific seems like the right choice, then all you need to do is complete those next steps and put down a deposit to secure a spot in the incoming class.
A few other things to keep in mind
Signing up for an account on Niche is free, only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of time. Still, here are a few final things to keep in mind before you do.
You can get into most but not all majors at Pacific through this approach. Certain programs, including some majors in the Conservatory of Music, have additional requirements that make them ineligible for direct admission.
To see if your desired major is eligible for direct admission, check its page on our website. If its application requirements include something non-standard (an interview or an audition), then it is likely not. Pacific’s admission office can help you if you are still uncertain.
If you aren’t accepted into Pacific through this method but really see yourself here, consider submitting a traditional application. Writing a personal statement is a good way to stand out from the crowd.