Tag Archives: PUC College Days

Making A Difference From Within

Here at PUC, we talk a lot about being a part of the Pioneers family but what does that really mean? It’s not just dressing in gold and green and cheering for the Pioneers on game days. Being a part of the Pioneers family means knowing there’s always someone out there who has your back. It means knowing there’s always someone to offer a kind word, assist with a project, or pray for you when you’re struggling. The best part? The moment you step foot on campus, even as a visitor, you’re one of us! 

Jayana Graham had no idea she would instantly join the Pioneers family when she arrived on campus for College Days last year but Kryslyn Maldonado and Danielle Gurning did! As freshmen, Kryslyn and Danielle were no strangers to the senior-year pressure of needing to choose a college. When they decided to welcome a College Days visitor to stay in their room they also made the decision to be open about their own PUC experiences and answer any questions their guest might have. “Hosting for college days is an amazing experience!” says Danielle. “You kind of see yourself in these prospective students and you get to watch as they take in their new surroundings and start to envision themself at PUC.”

On top of making sure she felt comfortable in a new environment, they spoke with Jayana about what studying at PUC was really like and chatted about what being part of the campus body meant to them. This really helped Jayana get a sense of what life as a Pioneer would be like for her. The kindness and care they showed really impacted Jayana, giving her an inside look at how PUC students, staff, and faculty treat each other. 

Jayana is now in the middle of her second quarter at PUC! She says coming to College Days and meeting Kryslyn and Daniella was the biggest reason she chose to enroll. “When I first arrived on campus, I was a little unsure of things. But when I met Dani and Krys I felt so welcomed. Their vibes were amazing and it made me want to stay, they honestly made me want to call this school my home. So far I’m loving PUC! It was also really great to already have two friends on campus.”

What is so wonderful about this story is, it’s not even a little surprising! Our students here at PUC are filled with the Spirit. You see it in the way they smile, laugh, and lift each other up. Each and every day we are so proud to know they are part of our family. 

Are you interested in becoming a Pioneer (even for a day)? PUC hosts College Days multiple times a year. We also encourage group and individual visits. For more information or to schedule a visit head over to the PUC website!

Editor’s Note: Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we have canceled all in-person campus visits for the foreseeable future. While we wish we were meeting you face to face, the safety of our students, both current and prospective (you!), are far more important. Please join us for a virtual PUC visit experience on our website

We are taking appointments for regular, in-person, campus visits after May 1.

 

 

Five Reasons to Come to PUC’s College Days

If you’ve never heard of College Days, it’s PUC’s special visitation event, held three times a year, and is two and a half action-packed days where you can experience what life at the college is like. It’s a great way to see if PUC is the right fit for you.

The next College Days event is scheduled for February 10-12, 2019, and we would love to have you here for it! Come experience everything PUC has to offer as you decide where to attend college. Sign up now!

Here are just five reasons why you should consider coming to College Days next month!

You will get to know more about PUC’s prime location

One of the best things about PUC is our location. Not only is it a beautiful place to live with many opportunities to get out in nature, but the campus is also blessed with a close proximity to incredible places like Napa, San Francisco, Mendocino, Tahoe, and lots more. You can visit a museum in the city or spend time on the coast. Your options are limitless.

During College Days you’ll get to experience both Napa and San Francisco in person! So be sure to have your camera handy to capture some really Instagram-worthy sights. We’ll take you downtown Napa for an afternoon and you’ll also get to spend time at Pier 39 in San Francisco.

You will gather insight into academic programs

During College Days students will discover more about college academics. Between dinner with faculty, sitting in on real college classes, and experiences showcasing many of PUC’s departments, hopefully, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of what program you want to join!

You get to attend a special financial aid workshop

Monday morning offers College Days participants a financial aid workshop allowing you to learn all about how to pay for college. From PUC specific scholarships to information on FAFSA, you’ll be able to speak with a knowledgeable financial aid counselor to learn how an Adventist education is possible at PUC.

You can hear about PUC directly from PUC students

While you’re visiting PUC for College Days, you’ll constantly be interacting with current students, which is the perfect way to really understand the heart and soul of the Pioneers community. You will stay in their rooms, join them for meals in the cafe, sit in on their classes, worship with them, and attend a panel where you can ask them any question you might have.

You will immerse yourself into college life

Come be a Pioneer, if only for a few days! One of the best things about visiting PUC for College Days is being on campus for several days and really getting to experience what it’s like to be a student here. As you walk around campus, try picturing yourself as a PUC student. Envision how great it will be to make this place your home for your college years. Make the most of your visit by asking questions and taking advantage of every opportunity to talk with current students and professors to see if PUC is the right fit for you.

We hope you will join us for our February College Days. Don’t forget to sign up! You can also email visit@puc.edu or call (800) 862-7080, option 2 to learn more and for information about our travel reimbursement policy.

Visit PUC This Winter!

Choosing what college to attend is a very important decision and one you shouldn’t make without doing a lot of research. What better way to research the colleges you’re considering than by visiting them? We would be thrilled to have you and your family come visit PUC! Take a campus tour given by one of our student ambassadors, sit in on a class, chat with a professor, eat in our cafeteria, walk around the charming nearby towns of St. Helena or Calistoga, AND if you plan in advance, join us for any of the following upcoming and exciting events.

Pioneers Athletics Games

PUC has six varsity sports teams: cross country, basketball, and volleyball for women; and cross country, basketball, and soccer for men. Throughout the year, we invite you to our gymnasium, nicknamed the “Covered Wagon,” or our soccer field to join the Pioneers Posse and cheer on our teams. Here’s a short list of a few upcoming games; for the full schedule, visit pioneersathletics.com.

  • December 15, 2018 – Pioneers Athletics vs. UC Merced, women’s at 6:30 p.m. & men’s at 8:30 p.m.
  • January 12, 2019 – Pioneers Athletics vs. CSU Maritime, women’s at 6:30 p.m. & men’s at 8:30 p.m.
  • January 17, 2019 – Pioneers Athletics vs. Embry-Riddle (AZ), women’s at 5:30 p.m. & men’s at 7:30 p.m.

Rasmussen Art Gallery Openings

If you’re interested in seeing some incredible works of art, you won’t want to miss the Rasmussen Art Gallery. Several times a quarter, a new exhibit opens at the college’s on-campus art gallery, which often features students, faculty, and other local artists. The opening reception is a chance to meet the artists, mingle with other guests, and enjoy some tasty snacks while appreciating the talent on display. If you can’t make it to one of the opening receptions, check with your tour guide to be sure to stop by and spend some time browsing during regular open hours.

  • January 12, 2019 – Opening Reception: Diana Majumdar, Halcyon, Encaustic, 7 p.m.
  • February 16, 2019 Opening Reception: Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the Rasmussen Art Gallery Facebook page.

Paulin Hall Music Concerts

PUC’s department of music has many concerts throughout the year; all of which are free to the public. The college has several ensembles that frequently perform, and there are usually multiple student recitals each quarter. For the Christmas holiday, there are several concerts we hope you can join us for!

  • December 6, 2018 – PUC String Ensemble Concert, 7 p.m.
  • December 7, 2018 – PUC Music Department Christmas Concert, 8 p.m.
  • December 8, 2018 – PUC Music Department Christmas Concert, 4 p.m.

Contact the department of music for more information; call (707) 965-6201 or email music@puc.edu.

Special Guest Lectures / Colloquies

Each year PUC is honored to host a myriad of interesting and knowledgeable guest lecturers. From our annual Civil Rights Lecture, our bi-annual Heubach lecture, and our bi-weekly colloquy speakers, there’s always something interesting in the lineup.

  • January 17, 2019 – Colloquy: Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance, 10 a.m.
  • February 21, 2019 – Colloquy: Dr. Scott Nelson, 10 a.m.
  • February 28, 2019 – Heubach Lectureship Series: Dr. Jon Paulien, 7 p.m.
  • March 7, 2019 – Colloquy: Career Day, 10 a.m. (followed by the annual Career Fair)
  • March 9, 2019 – Annual Lecture of the Percy & John Christian Civil Rights Conference Center, 4 p.m.

For more information about these events, check out the college’s calendar at puc.edu/calendar.

Join Us For February College Days!

Several times a year, we host special visitation events called College Days. College Days is a jam-packed event where you will experience PUC with other visiting students. In addition to campus visit standards like touring the campus, talking with a professor in your major of interest, and eating in our Dining Commons, it’s a great opportunity to get a glimpse into what it’s really like to be a student at PUC as you stay in one of the residence halls and attend social and academic events.

We hope you can make plans to join us for College Days on February 10-12, 2019. Register now!

For more information about College days and other ways to visit, check out puc.edu/visitors.

We can spend hours explaining what we think makes life at PUC so unique but there’s no better way than by experiencing it firsthand, so schedule your visit today! Before you arrive, be sure to apply and send in your admissions documents for a quick acceptance! It will make your visit even more special as you officially become a member of the Pioneers family.

#PUCCollegeDays18

Earlier this month, we welcomed over 300 students and sponsors to our campus for College Days. If you’ve never heard of College Days, it is PUC’s special visitation event, held three times a year. The next event is scheduled for February 10-12, 2019. Sign up now!

College Days is two action-packed days where you can experience what life at the college is like, and a great way to see if PUC is the right fit for you.

Below are some of our favorite moments from this past College Days. You can also check out the hashtag #PUCCollegeDays18 to see more photos from the event!

Visiting students sign up for academic departments to visit.

PUC’s annual Fall Fest also took place during College Days, where student-run clubs raised money for projects by selling various items.

During one of the College Days meetings, visiting students got to hear from current PUC students about what life is like and ask questions about their experiences at the college.

There was also a faculty panel, during which faculty shared about their departments and why they love teaching at PUC.

A PUC student-led praise band closes the evening with worship.

Roasting marshmallows.

Starting the day with a worship thought.

The highlight of day two was a pizza party and visiting students speed mingling with different departments on campus.

We hope you will join us for our February College Days. Don’t forget to sign up!

You’re Invited to Visit Pacific Union College

The fall is a great time for you to start visiting college campuses to see what kind of school is the right fit for you. If you’ve never been to Pacific Union College, we invite you to come experience our beautiful campus in person. Whether you come on your own for an individual visit or attend one of our special College Days events with hundreds of other high school students, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Visiting will give you a good idea of what it’s like to be a student here!

Why should you make an effort to visit PUC? There are so many reasons! During your visit, you will:

  • Tour the campus with a student ambassador
  • Meet with a professor in your major of interest
  • Sit in on a college class*
  • Discuss scholarships and financial aid options with a financial counselor
  • Talk with your admissions counselor about next steps
  • Worship with our campus community*
  • Attend social activities with other students*
  • Stay in one of our seven residence halls*
  • Eat a delicious meal in our Dining Commons
  • Experience the nearby town of St. Helena and Pier 39 in San Francisco*

*Available during all College Days events OR weekday visits by request (if possible)

There are two upcoming College Days events held this fall: The first is scheduled for October 14-16, 2018, and there will be another November 4-5, 2018. If you aren’t able to make it to either of those events or if you would like to visit on your own, scheduled individual campus visits are offered Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required; call (800) 862-7080, option 2 to make arrangements with our visit coordinator or email visit@puc.edu. You can also fill out a visit request form on our website at puc.edu/visit.

Pro tip: Check out our “Six Tips for Visiting Colleges” blog post for ideas on how to make the most of visiting a college campus you’re visiting for the first time.

Can’t make it here in person? No problem! Take a walk on campus from the comfort of your living room by taking PUC’s new virtual tour. Available 24/7, it’s a great way to take a look around PUC at your own pace.

Find where you belong at PUC. Sign up for your visit now!

What is PUC College Days and Why Should You Go?

By Leanna Arredondo

Trying to choose a college can be fun, but also extremely stressful. The truth of the matter is, the memories from college are ones you will remember forever, so making a conscious decision for where you attend is crucial. College Days at PUC makes this not only easier, but a whole lot more exciting. As a recent graduate, and now a PUC enrollment counselor, I am excited to share more about this experience with you!

What Should You Expect?

PUC is located just minutes from one of the most well-known destination spots in the country, Napa Valley. Surrounded by picturesque views, our “campus on the hill” is where it all takes place. Whether you are traveling by plane, car, bus, or train (who knows), PUC does their best to accommodate you. Upon arriving, you will make your way to Winning Hall, our main residence hall, where you will check in with our enrollment team and receive your rooming assignment and schedule for your stay.

Depending on the dates of your specific College Days experience, the activities will differ. However, this April, you will take a tour of the campus, eat dinner with current PUC students, play some fun games, and end the night with an ice cream social! Think you’re finished? Not quite! You can also look forward to attending a couple classes of your choice, a financial aid workshop, spending time in our storybook town of St. Helena, and touring the beautiful city of San Francisco!

What Should You Bring?

If you are anything like me, you feel the need to pack your entire life into a suitcase for whatever trip you’re embarking on. However, lucky for you, I am going to give you a list of essentials:

  • A sleeping bag, travel mattress pad, pillow, and towel.
  • A comfortable pair of shoes is KEY for this trip. We do live on a mountain, so tennies or flats would work perfectly. This is especially important for those of you checking out our hiking trails!
  • Personal toiletries are important; however, we do have the College Market where you can purchase items from, as well.
  • Extra cash isn’t a requirement, but who doesn’t want some chocolate directly from the Ghirardelli Factory in San Francisco? Let’s be honest.
  • Athletic gear for our open gym is optional.

Why Is This Important?

Before attending PUC, I remember how stressed out I was about choosing a college that would not only offer great academics, but a spiritual and welcoming atmosphere, as well. When I found PUC, I was nervous about a few things. I wasn’t Adventist, I really loved the city, and I had never lived so far from my parents. This is why visiting is so crucial. During my visit to PUC, I was able to talk to my enrollment counselor, get my financial aid questions answered, talk with an advisor for my major, meet several current students, worship with the community, visit some of the surrounding cities, and get a feel of what the campus was all about. College Days will change everything folks. Don’t second guess an opportunity to experience what could potentially be your home away from home.

Where Can You Get More Information?

Ready to visit? All you need to do is go to our Visit page on the Admissions website, scroll down to the College Days section, and click on the “Sign Up for April 2017” button. Here, you’ll be able to choose what classes fit your interest, and if you know any of our current PUC students, request to dorm with them during your stay. It is as easy as that! I look forward to meeting you!

Your last chance for a College Days experience this year is coming up April 9-11. Don’t miss out!

Don’t Miss April College Days at PUC!

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If you’ve been procrastinating and haven’t yet decided where to attend school this coming fall, spring is a great time to visit a few college campuses to start figuring out where you want to go. If you’ve never been to Pacific Union College, here are a few reasons why it’s worth adding us to your list of colleges to visit! We invite you to come to our final College Days event of the year on April 10-12, or you can visit on your own for a more personalized experience.

April College Days is a jam-packed event where you will experience PUC with about 100 other visiting students. In addition to campus visit standards like touring the campus, talking with a professor in your major of interest, and eating in our Dining Commons, you will also get a glimpse into what it’s really like to be a student at PUC:

  • Stay in one of PUC’s seven residence halls
  • Worship with our campus community
  • Sit in on actual college classes
  • Learn about finances at a special Financial Aid Workshop
  • Experience the nearby town of St. Helena (including a free movie!)
  • Have fun at Pier 39 in San Francisco
  • And so much more!

To register for April College Days, or to set up an individual visit, go to puc.edu/visit. Scheduled campus visits are offered Monday through Thursday at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2 PM.

We look forward to having you on campus!

Come Visit Pacific Union College!

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With Thanksgiving and Christmas break quickly approaching, soon high school seniors across the country will be flocking to college campuses to start figuring out where they want to be attending next fall. If you’ve never been to Pacific Union College, here are a few reasons why you it’s worth adding us to your list of colleges to visit! You can come during one of our College Days events or on your own for a personalized experience.

CD 2

During your visit to PUC, you will:

  • Tour the campus with a student ambassador
  • Meet with a professor in your major of interest
  • Sit in on a college class*
  • Discuss scholarships and financial aid options with a financial counselor
  • Talk with your enrollment counselor about next steps
  • Worship with our campus community*
  • Attend social activities with other students*
  • Stay in a residence hall and eat in our Dining Commons
  • Experience the nearby town of St. Helena and Pier 39 in San Francisco*

*Available during all College Days events OR weekday visits by request (if possible)

CD 3

The next College Days event is scheduled for January 31- February 2, 2016, and there will be another April 10-12, 2016. If you aren’t able to make it to either of those events, or if you would like to visit on your own, scheduled campus visits are offered Monday through Thursday at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2 PM.

To request a visit to PUC, or to register for College Days, go to puc.edu/visit. We look forward to hosting you!

Six Tips for Visiting Colleges

College Days

Visiting students pose with Pioneer Pete, our mascot.

Whether it’s your senior year and you’re in the final decision making process or you’re a sophomore just beginning the college search, one of the most exciting parts of choosing a college is getting to visit different campuses to see which one is the right fit for you. During your college search you’ll likely visit a number of campuses, so before you do, here are a few campus visit tips to make sure you make the most out of your time on a college campus!

1. Register Ahead
If you’re visiting a college during one of their scheduled events (like our College Days), make sure you’ve registered to have your space reserved and confirm your travel plans. If you’re coming for an individual visit with your family or a few friends, always make arrangements with the school’s visit coordinator to have the best experience possible. Our visit coordinator can be reached at visit@puc.edu or at 707.965.6336.

2. Come with Questions and Write Down the Answers
There are many questions you assuredly have about college life. Make sure you don’t waste time by asking questions you can easily find the answer to on your own. Come prepared with a few questions you can only have answered there, such as what campus social life is like or how to get involved in student ministries. It’s a good idea to bring a notebook to write down the answers to your questions, that way you can look back at the answers you received when visiting each school!

3. Talk with a Financial Counselor
These days, the number one factor in choosing a college for a lot of people is finances. Figuring out how you’re going to pay for college is very important and can be an extensive process involving exciting things like W-2s and tax transcripts. When scheduling your visit to a school, always ask about meeting with a financial counselor who can give you advice on how you can make college possible. Visitors to our campus can always set up an appointment with one of our financial counselors.

4. Talk to Faculty and Students
While you’re on campus, you want to take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn as much as you can. Make sure you set up an appointment with a professor in the department of your academic interest. You should also try to go out of your way to speak to professors and students you happen to encounter during your visit. It can be very beneficial to get perspectives about a school from many different people, and to get this information firsthand.

5. Eat in the Cafeteria
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like to eat? If you think a school’s cafeteria isn’t an important factor in your college decision, you’re mistaken! If possible, plan to have a meal there when visiting. This is also an excellent time to meet some current students!

6. Explore Nearby Areas
While you’re on campus, take some time to explore as much of it as you can – walk around and look at everything it has to offer you. You should also try to visit different areas nearby. Stop in some local shops and check out the restaurants. This is the area you’ll call home for nine months out of every year for the next four years, so getting acquainted with the local life is a definite must!

As I write this post, I have my planner open with a giant checklist of things to complete before our first College Days event, which is coming up very soon! These events are offered four times a year and give high school students a chance to spend some quality time on our campus. Students will sit in on real classes, visit with professors and current students, and experience a little piece of college life. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, go to puc.edu/visit to learn more and you can also register if you want to attend.

You can also learn more about scheduling an individual visit to our campus using the above link.

If you can’t visit, don’t worry! It’s nearly impossible to physically visit every school you’re interested in and we won’t take it personally if you can’t make it out to our campus (well… we might). Although there is nothing better than firsthand experiences, you can learn a lot about campus life, academics, and much more on our Admissions website, including a virtual tour offering with many photos of our beautiful campus.