A complete Application for Admission for International Students includes:

1. Application for Admission
2. Required Personal Statement (Personal Essay on the Common Application)
3. Official Records of Study
4. Demonstration of Proficiency in English
5. Recommendation
6. Certification of Finances
7. Clear copy of Passport Photo Page

An explanation of each element of the complete application follows:

Application for Admission

The Application for Admission ("Pacific Scholar Application" or "Online Application") must be completed in full, signed by the applicant and submitted to the Office of Admission.

You can mail it to the Office of Admission or submit the application electronically.

Important — Please make sure that the family name (last name) and given name (first name) on your application for admission exactly match the names on your passport. This will ease processing of your immigration documents if you are admitted and choose to enroll.   

Required Personal Statement (Personal Essay on the Common Application)

Submit a brief personal statement (250 to 500 words) - as a way to get to know you as a person and more than a collection of classes and test scores. Relax - there are no wrong answers. But we do ask you to consider grammar, spelling and the content of what you wish to express.

The topic is up to you, but if you need some help getting started, here is an idea:

Freshman
"Describe your professional and educational goals in conjunction with your selected major choice."

Transfers
"Describe your professional and educational goals in conjunction with your selected major choice"

Official Records of Study

You are required to arrange for the Office of Admission to receive official or certified copies of your academic records for all secondary and post-secondary (including college, university, institute or professional school) study. Official or certified copies of results of public or external examinations you have taken are also required. These should be sent, whenever possible, by the examining authority itself.

Records should list the subjects studied and the grade or mark received. Records should include copies of degrees, diplomas or certificates received. The University expects official copies of the original document in the official language of the educational system. If that language is not English, an official translation should be attached.

You may submit officially certified or attested photocopies of original records. If your application is approved, you will be expected to present the originals to the Admission Office for inspection prior to registration.

Additional Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants Seeking International Transfer Credit

Students who attended universities outside of the United States and wish to attend University of the Pacific must go through a four step process, including a required transcript evaluation and official course descriptions. You can find details about the process at our International Coursework page.

English Language Proficiency

If your native language is not English, you must submit official results of one of the following in order to receive consideration for admission:

Test Type	All Majors
Internet-based TOEFL	80
Paper-based TOEFL	550
IELTS score of	6.5
Duolingo English	110

All international students are required to take placement tests to demonstrate writing, math, and other proficiencies during New Student Orientation Week.

InformationInformation about TOEFL can be located online at http://www.ets.org/toefl; information about IELTS can be located at http://www.ielts.org; information about Duolingo can be located at https://www.duolingo.com. The University of the Pacific's TOEFL Code is 4065.

All international applicants are required to take the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English test unless they meet one of the following waiver requirements:

1. SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Verbal) of 570 (new SAT) or 510 (old SAT). If you have taken the SAT and could like to submit your score, you can do so, but it is optional. University of the Pacific's SAT code is 4065.
2. ACT Composite score of 22 or higher. If you have taken the ACT and would like to submit your score, you can do so, but it is optional. University of the Pacific's ACT code is 0240.
3. 3. One academic year (two semesters, or four quarters) of any two of the following courses at a university in the United States, both with a grade of B or higher: English Composition, Critical Thinking, Communications. Citizens of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and South Africa. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you should take the SAT or ACT instead of an English language proficiency test, if you choose to do so.
4. "A" level English scores of B or higher
5. AP English score of 4 or higher
6. IB English score of 5 or higher

Recommendation

The recommendation form must be completed by a counselor, principal, director or other responsible official of the institution in which you are currently enrolled or which you last attended. If you have been out of school for more than two years and have been employed full-time, you may ask your employer to complete the form. More information on how to submit a recommendation can be found by visiting: http://www.pacific.edu/recommendation

Certification of Finances

Total cost of attending University of the Pacific can be found here. University costs rise approximately 6% each year.   

Download the Financial Responsibility Form (PDF) for the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

All international students requiring an F1 visa must provide the University with a recent financial guarantee or recommendation in the form of a letter or account statement from a financial institution, which demonstrates funds equivalent to one year of study at Pacific. If your study will be sponsored by a government agency, foreign embassy or a private individual (other than your parent or guardian), the sponsor must submit a letter to the University indicating they will pay for your studies. The sponsor must also submit an account statement showing the specific dollar amount per year available to you and the duration of its availability.

The University may require further certification of finances or advanced payment of tuition and fees from students whose funds originate in countries where severe currency restrictions exist. If you will be accompanied in the U.S., allow $3,000-3,500 per year for each dependent. The University cannot send you forms for your student visa until complete financial certification has been obtained.

Information on Estimated Cost of Attendance for International Students  at Pacific

Copy of Passport

The University of the Pacific requires a clear copy of the photo page of the student's passport.  Both the photo and the text must be legible.  

Financial Assistance

University of the Pacific offers a number of $15,000 International Student Merit Scholarships to international students applying as freshman or transfer students. For more information, please visit the International Students Scholarship page. To be considered for a merit-based scholarship, you must simply submit an application for admission and all supporting items. You will be notified of an award if you admitted and qualify for an award. Athletic scholarships are also available to international students.

International freshman students are welcome to apply for University of the Pacific's Powell Scholarship for $42,000 and extra funding for education abroad and research opportunities.  For more information, please visit the Powell Scholarship page.

Additional Requirements for Certain Programs

Applicants to the Conservatory of Music

Those interested in applying to the Conservatory of music must present evidence of musical talent and achievement by performing an audition. Those planning to major in composition must also submit an original composition. Instructions are available from the Office of the Dean of the Conservatory of Music or at http://www.pacific.edu/audition

Pacific Legal Scholars Candidates

Strong candidates applying for the Pacific Legal Scholars Program will be expected to complete an interview either on campus or by phone after the application is complete. The Director of the program will contact prospective students for the interview during the spring semester. Additional information on the Pacific Legal Scholars Program can be found here.

Pacific Humanities Scholars Candidates

Strong candidates applying for the Pacific Humanities Scholars Program will need to complete an interview with the Program Committee. Interviews ideally should take place on campus, but can also be completed via phone or Skype. Qualified candidates applying for Humanities-related majors may also be contacted by the Program Committee with an invitation to interview. The Program Administrative Assistant will contact prospective candidates to coordinate the interviews as applications are complete. Additional information on the Pacific Humanities Scholars Program can be found here.

Interviews and Auditions

Additional Information about Interviews and Auditions

Housing

University of the Pacific is a residential university. Most of its students live on the University campus in residence halls operated by the University’s Housing Office. Most residence halls are coeducational (for both men and women), but the University also has facilities exclusively for women. The University requires all first- and second-year students to live in University housing. Exceptions may be given to those living with their parent(s) or to those who request exception due to medical or religious reasons. The University has limited facilities for married students.

Application Decision and Notification

The Office of Admission will review your application as soon as it and all supporting documents are received and will notify you of its decision as promptly as possible.

Reply Date and Confirming Deposit

If you are offered admission to the University, the Office of Admission will specify in the approval letter a “reply date.” This is the date by which you must reply to the admission offer. If you decide to accept the University’s offer of admission you must make a U.S. $400 deposit by the reply date. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition for your first term of study. If your study at University of the Pacific will be sponsored by a foreign embassy or government, you must make certain that the deposit is made for you, or you must make the deposit yourself.

Medical Questionnaire

On approval of the application for any regular term, a medical questionnaire will be sent to you for completion and return. This report is required of all students registering for more than 6 semester units and must be filed prior to registration.

Honor Code

Established in 1958, the Honor Code is intended to maintain and preserve the high standards of personal character and integrity vital in academic pursuits. The success of the honor code is made possible only with the acceptance and cooperation of every student. We fully expect that every University student will join with us in maintaining the principle and the tradition of the code in all aspects of college life.

Applicants for admission to the University are asked to recognize the responsibilities of the code and to accept its principles. Your signature on the application form or electronic signature from the online application indicates that you agree to uphold the principles of the code. For more information please see the Tiger Lore and the Pacific Guide.