Tag Archives: college checklist

Your PUC Packing List 

Packing for college is definitely one of the more overwhelming things you’ll likely deal with this summer. On top of trying to decide what things from home you want to bring with you, there are a lot of things you’ll need to buy. So to help you out here’s a pretty thorough list of things to make sure you bring along! And remember, if you forget something, you can always take a trip to Napa or run across the street to the College Market!

 Room Needs: 

  • Clorox wipes 
  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Hand soap
  • Washable face masks 
  • Medications (if needed)
  • First aid kit 
  • Cleaning supplies 
  • Paper towels 
  • Bedding
  • Pillows 
  • Blankets 
  • Room fan
  • Earphones 
  • Powerstrip 
  • Hangers 
  • Laundry basket and supplies
  • Food, snacks, and water 
  • Fridge 
  • Microwave 
  • Kitchenware 
  • Food storage containers 
  • Dish soap and sponge 
  • Bath towels 
  • Shower mat 
  • Flip flops and/or slides 
  • Vacuum or Swiffer  
  • Trash bin and trash bags 

Note: It’s a good idea to coordinate with your roommate so your room doesn’t end up with duplicates of the same items, but there’s still plenty you can get on your own!

Suggested Items:

  • Mattress pad 
  • Desk lamp
  • Desk organizer 
  • Storage bins
  • Air fresheners 
  • Hot pot 
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Mug 
  • Command strips 
  • Umbrella 
  • Wall decor 
  • Calendar/bulletin board
  • Luggage (for school trips) 
  • Phone charger

Clothes (your space will be limited, so only bring what you will wear):

  • Undergarments 
  • Sleepwear
  • Cold and warm weather items
  • Rain jacket 
  • Boots 
  • Sneakers 
  • Socks 
  • Athletic wear 
  • Business attire (for interviews and presentations) 

Toiletries: 

  • Shower caddy 
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body soap 
  • Hair grooming tools 
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss 
  • Lotion 
  • Deodorant 
  • Nail cutters/file 
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Skincare products

School Supplies:

  • Backpack/Bag
  • Notebooks 
  • Pens & pencils 
  • Highlighters 
  • Folders 
  • Lined paper 
  • Planner 
  • Sticky notes 
  • Index cards 
  • Scissors 
  • Tape 
  • Whiteout 
  • USB flash drive 
  • Calculator 
  • Clicker (if necessary for class) 
  • Computer (not required! Just super helpful!)

If you’re planning to get a campus job, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license
  • Birth certificate 
  • Passport 
  • Social Security Number (SSN) card

Note: In general, just a passport is sufficient. If you don’t have a passport, then you will need either your driver’s license + your birth certificate or your driver’s license + your SSN card. You must bring original documents, not photocopies or screenshots of them. You will not be able to start working until your ID has been verified. Visit puc.edu/studentemployment for more information; see the Form I-9 PDF.

If you’re planning to have a car on campus, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license 
  • Registration card 
  • Copy of car insurance 

Stores Nearby (in case you forgot to buy something):

  • College Market (Angwin) 
  • Ace Hardware (Angwin) 
  • Safeway (St. Helena) 
  • Target (Napa) 
  • Walmart (Napa) 
  • Marshalls (Napa) 
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond (Santa Rosa) 

Banking Needs: 

  • Silverado Credit Union (Angwin) 
  • Bank of America (St. Helena) 
  • Wells Fargo (St. Helena) 
  • Bank of the West (St. Helena) 
  • Chase (Napa) 

We hope you’re getting excited to arrive on campus because we are! 

Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing.

Things To Do Before Starting School 

You finally finished finals and walked across the (virtual) graduation stage and now, hopefully, you’re enjoying some much-needed rest before heading off on your higher educational journey. But before you arrive on campus, there are a few things you should do, and to make this as easy as possible, we made you a list!

Complete Financial Aid

Don’t wait in long and socially distanced lines, get financially cleared before you arrive. Contact your financial aid counselor to make sure you have completed everything. You can call them at (707) 965-7200 or email them at studentfinance@puc.edu. 

Know Your Academic Advisor 

It’s important to know who your academic advisor is, they’re not only going to be helping you set up your class schedule but they’ll be there for you all year long for any questions you may have. If you haven’t received info on your advisor, check in with your Admissions Counselor. They’ll be able to help.

Research Majors 

If you’re undecided, that’s okay! PUC has over 70 degrees and programs for you to choose from. Do your research on our website and see what program interests you the most. If you need some guidance, call your admissions counselor at (800) 862-7080, option 2.

Get Yourself Checked-Up

Students must have a TB skin test (or other forms of tuberculosis clearance testing) from their doctor within the last 12 months. If you still need to do this, schedule an appointment with your doctor, and get a copy of your physical examination form. 

Make Sure Your Room Is Set 

Make sure your dorm room is set and ready for your arrival. If you haven’t filled out a residence hall form, make sure you complete it ASAP. 

Check-In With Your Roommate 

Roommates are assigned later on in the summer and once you know yours, check in with them! It’s great to start getting to know each other early so there are fewer move-in-day nerves, plus, you can make sure you don’t bring duplicate items, like fridges or microwaves. 

Explore Your Hometown 

There’s no place like home, so don’t forget to explore your hometown and enjoy the places you won’t see every day. Order your favorite takeout and spend some time with your loved ones.

Prepare Your Checklist 

Start a checklist. Add school and dorm supplies you need to buy and things you don’t want to forget to pack. Having a checklist will help you remember and keep you on track. 

This may seem like a lot to do but if you start now, you’ll be done in no time! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions team for help at (800) 862-7080, option 2. We can’t wait to have you on campus! 

 

A Summer Checklist for Parents

We hope everyone is having a relaxing summer even in these crazy times. The summer months always seem to fly by and before you know it, it’s time to start thinking about your student returning to school. Even if you’re an old pro at the college process, it can be difficult to keep track of the things you and your student need to take care of to be ready at PUC this fall. 

Below is a helpful checklist you can refer back to for what you and your student can be working on to help make their transition to PUC as smooth as possible. 

Ready to get started? Let’s do this! 

  1. Sign your Pioneers Commitment Form. The sooner you submit your Pioneers Commitment Form, the sooner you can reserve your residence hall room and work together with an advisor to set up your class schedule! This can be found on your child’s personal PUC site. 
  2. Register for classes. Once the Pioneers Commitment Form is completed, your student will be contacted by an academic advisor to start planning out their class schedule and then register for classes. 
  3. Submit the housing form. The sooner the Pioneers Commitment Form is signed, the sooner you can fill out your housing form. This will place you higher on the list which means your student will be to receive their dorm assignment quicker! Fill the form out at puc.edu/housingform
  4. Make financial aid arrangements. Confirm your student is all set for the fall quarter with your family’s PUC financial counselor and submit additional paperwork if needed. Call (800) 862-7080, option 1, or email studentfinance@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor. 
    1. Submit the FAFSA. This isn’t required but is HIGHLY recommended, as FAFSA determines your student’s financial aid eligibility. Use PUC’s school code to have their information sent to us—it’s 001258.
  5. Submit the required health forms. Make an appointment with your student’s primary health provider and fill out the Health Information Form. Immunization records will also need to be submitted. Have questions? Contact Health Services for more information by calling (707) 965-6339 or emailing healthservices@puc.edu
  6. BONUS: Get ready for move-in day! Help your student get ready to move into their dorm room and start buying the necessary supplies. Check back on the blog because the entire month of August is filled with helpful posts for new college students, from a thorough college packing list to tips for making friends.If you don’t want to wait till August, get a jump start by reading our 2019 Packing List blog. 

For more information about these steps, and to download the forms mentioned above, visit puc.edu/alreadyaccepted. You can also check in with your student’s admissions counselor to see what’s left for them to submit. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor. You can also live chat with an admissions representative through our online chat service, available on our website during standard business hours (Pacific Standard Time). 

We can’t wait to see your family at New Student Orientation on September 9!

Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing.

 

Your PUC Summer Checklist, Part II

Summer is in full swing, and we hope you’re having a blast, whatever you’re doing! Besides all the fun, there’s also plenty to do if you’re an accepted student and are planning on being here in September. (If you aren’t accepted and don’t know what you still need to take care of, check out our “Your PUC Summer Checklist, Part I” blog post and get in touch with your admissions counselor for more details.) 

If you’ve taken care of the important things like paying your enrollment fee and worked with your advisor to register for classes, here are five things you can do to be as prepared as possible for New Student Orientation, which starts on Wednesday, September 18! 

Get your PUC ID card

Your PUC ID card is one of the most important things you can have! Not only does it allow you to buy books at the PUC Bookstore and check-in and out of events giving you credit, but it’s also how you eat! Set up a visit and get your ID card ahead of time

Talk with the Teaching & Learning Center

Starting college can be challenging, but at Pacific Union College, we have great resources in place to help students succeed, because student success is our priority. The Teaching & Learning Center was created for that very reason and offers free group tutoring and a writing lab. The TLC staff will also work with students who have disabilities to offer extra individualized support and accommodations. You can reach out to them by calling (707) 965-7688 or emailing tlc@puc.edu

Register your vehicle with Public Safety

All PUC vehicles are required to have a parking permit displayed at all times. You can pre-register your vehicle using your Lantern account, using information from your driver’s license, state vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance. Visit the Public Safety website at puc.edu/publicsafety for more information and to get started.

Start buying supplies for your new dorm room

One of the most exciting things about getting ready for college is buying supplies and thinking about decorating your dorm room. Where do you even start? That’s where our “Your Ultimate PUC Packing List” blog post comes in! Don’t forget to check in with your future roommate too so you don’t end up having two of everything. 

Reserve your books at the bookstore

Did you know you can buy or rent your textbooks from the PUC Bookstore? You can even pre-order them so all you’ll need to do is stop in and pick them up when you get to campus for Orientation. Get started now at puc.bncollege.com.  

We can’t wait to have you here in just a few weeks! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for New Student Orientation so everything is ready for you when you get here and officially join the Pioneers family.

 

Get Ready for Fall 2018!

The fall is prime college application time for high school seniors. These days, the average student applies to at least nine colleges, and if you haven’t already started looking at potential schools for next fall, now’s the time–and why not start with PUC! Our online application is free and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

We’ve created a handy high school senior checklist to help you stay on track all year long. On it, you will find a breakdown of what you can be working on each month. Hopefully it will help you get things taken care of!

So, what else can you be working on? Plenty! Here’s just a few things to get you started; download the checklist for a complete inventory on what you need to do to be ready for college next fall.

Visit all the colleges you can

There’s no better way to see if a college is right for you than by visiting! We would love for you to join us on our campus. Take a tour with a student ambassador, meet with a professor in the major of your interest, and pick up some great financial tips.

Take the ACT and SAT—and leave yourself time to retake them

PUC accepts both the ACT and SAT. While they aren’t required for admission (except for admission on academic probation), tour test scores will be used for placement into math and English classes, and also for certain scholarship qualifications.

It’s a good idea to take the test several times, rather than just once, particularly if your score is close to the qualifications for a scholarship. 

Get ready to submit the FAFSA in October

Starting October 1, 2017, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible since some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember to include PUC’s school code (001258) to have your results sent to PUC, as well as to list at least one in-state college, otherwise you may be ineligible to apply for Cal Grant.

Visit puc.edu/enrollmentforms to download your copy of PUC’s high school senior checklist today!

If you have any questions about applying to PUC, contact the Enrollment Services office at enroll@puc.edu or (800) 862-7080, option 2. We’re here to help throughout the entire admission process, and we can’t wait to have you on campus next fall!

You’re Accepted to PUC – Now What?

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Christmas break is the perfect time to work on your college applications and everything you need to do to be ready for college next year. If you’re an accepted student to PUC, you can look at your personal site for a checklist to keep you on track. The checklist is located on the right-hand side of the home screen. For parents or students still working on their PUC application, you can use our helpful High School Senior Checklist

For accepted students, here are the four most important things you can do for PUC right now:

  1. Pay your enrollment fee & fill out a housing form. All students will need to pay a $200 enrollment fee before registering for classes, as well as submit a housing form. You can do both at puc.edu/reserve. Paying the fee before May 1 means $100 of it will be put towards your Fall 2016 tuition bill!
  2. Apply for PUC scholarships. Our scholarship deadline isn’t until March 2, so there’s plenty of time to write those essays! See a list of what we offer incoming freshmen at puc.edu/scholarships.
  3. Fill out a PUC Financial Aid Application. All students are required to submit a PUC Financial Aid Application, which can be found at puc.edu/reserve. This information, along with your FAFSA, is used by the Student Finance office to put together a financial estimate where you can see how much per month it would cost you to attend PUC. It’s very helpful! If you have any finance-related questions, the Student Finance office can be reached at studentfinance@puc.edu or at 800.862.7080 option 1.
  4. Register for classes. Registration for Fall 2016 doesn’t start until April, but if you let your Enrollment Counselor know what you’re planning on studying, they can put together a sample class schedule for you so you can see what classes you might end up taking next fall.

If you have any questions while working on these items, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Enrollment office at enroll@puc.edu or through our 800 number at 800.862.7080 option 2. Our six Enrollment Counselors happy to help!

We hope you have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

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