Pacific Lutheran University

Advice

What’s one thing every prospective PLU student should know?

You should visit the colleges you are applying to – pictures may have a thousand words, but they cannot tell the whole story. During each visit, I highly recommend sitting in on a class, meeting with a professor, staying overnight in one of the residence halls, eating in the dining hall and touring the campus so to make sure that you feel at home. PLU Admission offers programs for prospective students and their families to attend throughout the year, or you can arrange for a personalized visit through the Admission Office. I visited PLU during Passport weekend in April of my senior year and just knew that I would have a great four years on this campus. I stayed overnight in a residence hall (Ordal to be exact) with a current student, met other accepted students who were just as excited for college, participated in a variety of activities and attended a class within my intended major. The students, the faculty and staff I met, along with the mission of the university were exactly what I was looking for!

What do you like about living in the Northwest?

There are so many opportunities to take advantage of in the Northwest – you’ll have a different activity for each season! Rain or shine, I’m a huge advocate for exploring the outdoors and metropolitan regions. I’m also a fan of both the water and mountains, which surround you wherever you are. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest I’ve also been witness to the changing seasons and vibrant colors, the growth and development of many communities including PLU, Downtown Tacoma’s Museum and University Districts, and how the community has a commitment to keep our region sustainable, clean and welcoming to anyone.

How is PLU different from other universities?

PLU's commitment to Lutheran higher education!! Through challenge, support and success, PLU’s mission is to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care – for other people, for their community, and for the earth. There are many ways to describe this, but simply put, it offers everyone a chance to witness PLU’s commitment to academic excellence, academic freedom and creates an atmosphere where all perspectives on faith and reason are openly expressed. You’ll be introduced to new ideas, philosophies and diversity from different angles to truly show you Lutheran traditions in higher education.

What’s one thing that still surprises you about PLU?

All of the changes and improvements that PLU has made to become a sustainable university and how committed the students and faculty have become while continuing to educate others and utilize the resources provided to us on such a beautiful campus.

Name one way that PLU has changed your life.

Open inquiry and academic freedom! It gave me the chance to learn in an atmosphere where I could see the world through my own lens, beliefs, faith and values, allowing for some room to change if I wanted. It’s amazing how diverse and accepting PLU is! I discovered my passions within Lutheran higher education at PLU by traveling on study away trips, off-campus internships, the Global Symposiums, learning about many other religions and cultures through my classes and professors, and asking the BIG questions in life while challenged and supported in the classroom, clubs and athletics. I’m a Lute for life and will continue to use all that I learned throughout my future endeavors.