Welcome!

My name is Ineliz Soto-Fuller, and I serve as the director of Admissions at Seattle Pacific University. I am also a first-generation college graduate!

Going to college absolutely changed my life. This decision not only changes your life, but it can also have impact on your family, your community, and beyond. This is why I work in higher education and admissions and why I am so passionate about first-generation college students experiencing Seattle Pacific.

This year at SPU, our incoming class is 41 percent first-generation college students. We celebrate them and their stories. We know the impact SPU will have on thesestudents, but we also know the meaningful impact they will have on SPU. As you consider Seattle Pacific, we are here to walk with you through the application process, answer your questions, and provide resources now through, hopefully, your four years at SPU!

Ineliz Soto Fuller

We are so glad you’re here!

—Ineliz Soto-Fuller, Director of Undergraduate Admissions


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.

Hear from first-gen SPU students and faculty

Resources for first-generation students

  • Center for Learning: 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