Welcome!

Choosing to pursue higher education has the potential to shape not only your own life but also the lives of those around you and the community at large. That's why we, are deeply committed to supporting first-generation college students and providing them with a remarkable experience.

It brings us great joy to share that this year, a significant portion of our incoming class at SPU consists of first-generation college students—individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and unique stories to our university. We celebrate their presence and look forward to the meaningful impact they will have on both themselves and our institution.

As you explore the possibility of joining Seattle Pacific University, please know that our admissions team is here to assist you every step of the way. We are available to answer your questions, offer guidance throughout the application process, and provide resources to support you during your time at SPU.

Thank you for considering Seattle Pacific University. We are thrilled to have you here.

Who is a first-generation student?

First-generation students are those who are the first in their family to attend college, or the first in their family to earn a college degree.

Resources for first-generation students

• Center for Student Success: Provides individual academic coaching, time management workshops, college success classes, studying skills, and more
• Center for Career and Calling: Helps students build interview skills, create resumes, and find jobs and internships
• Multi-Ethnic Programs: Supports students from racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse backgrounds and identities, and helps them find a home at SPU. MEP supports several student-run cultural community groups, scholarships, and unique Orientation opportunities.
• Ascent Program
• BioCORE Scholars Program: Supports first-generation students and those traditionally underrepresented in biological and biomedical sciences. This leadership program offers close community, mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities.

Application Tips

Connect with your admissions counselor: Your admissions counselor is going to be your best friend throughout the whole admissions process! Let them know you’re a first-generation student and ask them as many questions as you need. The SPU admissions team will be your biggest advocates and are here to help you navigate the college decision process. 

Apply for financial aid: The FAFSA (and WASFA for Washington state residents) opens in early October. Make sure you collect necessary documents and apply for financial aid as soon as possible. This information will inform how much aid you will receive from SPU! 

Have 2-3 people look over your application: Make sure you have multiple people looking over your application before you send it in! Is everything grammatically correct? Do your essays convey your personality and your story? Have the people you trust make sure you are putting your best foot forward.

Visit: When you’ve narrowed down your search, visit the schools (either in-person or virtually). Make sure you like the campus and get to know the community!

Questions?

We are a team of experts on all things college-related, and we are ready to walk through this process together. If you have questions or just aren’t sure where to start, contact us below!

Email: admissions@spu.edu

Phone: 206-281-2021 or 800-366-3344