Why You Should Go Back to College and Finish Your Degree
Returning to school? Discover how to navigate college applications for adults resuming their undergraduate programs and learn how you can transfer credits, receive generous financial aid and graduate on time with an in-demand bachelor’s degree.
Since 2020, Pacific has been recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as one of the best schools in the country for transfer students, and is the only Oregon private university to earn the “Transfer Friendliness Rating.”
A college degree can drastically change your life by kickstarting a career that turns your passions into purpose.
But, for some, the path to that degree isn’t as simple as four years in college after finishing high school.
Getting your bachelor’s degree can be delayed by everything from Peace Corps service to a military placement to starting a family.
Regardless of your reasons, you can always return and finish your undergraduate program when it’s right for you, transferring any previously earned credits and graduating within four years.
Whether it’s been 5 years or 50, or whether you have a GED or an associate’s degree, you can pick up where you left off and gain the skills and experience needed to land a career that makes an impact.
Let us show you why finishing your degree as an adult can help you earn more and be more prepared for future job demand.
CONNECT WITH AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
Is it Worthwhile to Go Back to College as an Adult?
Absolutely!
Apart from the potential for personal growth, resuming your undergraduate education can provide ample opportunities for career advancement through skillbuilding and networking.
Submitting college applications and finishing your bachelor’s degree, even while employed in a career you care about, has multiple benefits, including:
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Higher lifetime pay. Recent studies have shown that bachelor’s degree holders earn substantially more over their lifetime than those without higher education.
Those who return to complete their degree make roughly 31 percent more than those with an associate’s degree and 84 percent more than those with only a high school diploma or GED.
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Gaining in-demand leadership skills. For many, the prospect of an undergraduate degree carries with it the opportunity for greater career advancement.
Roles across multiple industries promote employees with leadership experience, something gained in many degree programs through student organizations and collaborative research.
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Better preparation for the future job market. By 2031, it’s estimated that 72% percent of American jobs will require some amount of training or education beyond high school.
Having a bachelor’s degree that includes that training can make you more competitive in the job market while providing resilient and sought-after skills.
Career advising opportunities throughout your degree and a robust alumni network also help prepare you for success after graduation.
Can I Transfer College Credits that are 5 years old? 10? Even 20?
From centuries-old universities to community colleges, the credits you’ve earned from higher education classes are kept on file for decades after they are completed, even if school’s you’ve attended have closed.
This means that you can transfer completed college credits to a new university even if they were acquired long ago.
Talking with an admissions counselor is the best way to see which of your previously-completed college courses will count towards a new degree.
No matter your desired degree path, your completed credits at other institutions are valuable regardless of how old they are.
That is because all undergraduate majors are open to all students, regardless of previous work experience, age or prior education.
Is the College Application Process Different for Adult Applicants?
For some, coming back to school after being away can seem intimidating, with a range of forms and college applications to complete on top of your everyday life.
However, with recent nation-wide streamlining in the college application process, those returning or applying to university for the first time as an adult have less to do than they think.
Just like students right out of high school, all you need to do is:
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Apply using the Common App. Allowing you to apply to multiple schools at once — even as a transfer student — the Common App makes keeping track of your application status and progress easy.
Students interested in Pacific can also apply using our transfer-specific application, which further streamlines the admissions process.
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Submit a completed FAFSA. Adult applicants are just as eligible for scholarships as any other student, but the only way to know how much you could receive is to fill out the new condensed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
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Provide academic transcripts. Whether your most recent academic achievement is pursuing your associate’s, graduating high school, or getting your GED, an official record of that achievement is needed to determine your eligibility.
Pacific does not request letters of recommendation for its undergraduate programs, nor do we require an application fee to submit your admissions packet.
For any essay or short answer questions included with the Common App, adult applicants can leverage their professional or lived experiences to create a strong, personalized application.
Does it Take Longer to Graduate as an Adult?
Not at all!
Whatever your previous academic experience, all full-time Pacific undergraduate students are guaranteed to graduate in four years if attending full time, with two years for associate degree holders. (Part time course schedules may take longer.)
For many returning students, the balance between time spent in the classroom and time spent at work or with family can be challenging, so getting you through your programs on time is essential.
Attending a college that helps you graduate on time means getting started in a lifelong career sooner, jumping into advanced roles in your current job more quickly and preparing you for pursuit of an advanced degree on schedule.
Accelerated undergraduate programs can also help jumpstart your career after returning to college, empowering you to perfect your craft and put it into practice.
Your expert admissions counselors can help establish a timeline for completing your degree even before you apply based on previous academic experience.
Can I Enroll Again Even After Dropping Out?
Yes!
If you paused your studies on good standing with the university, re-enrolling in college is as easy as contacting your admissions counselor and taking their recommended steps.
There is no one pathway toward a college degree, and the need to step back and place distance between yourself and your undergraduate program is natural.
For this reason, college readmission is supported, with compassionate staff and faculty who can help you ease back into academic life.
Ready to become a Boxer? Explore financial aid opportunities that include scholarships specifically for students transferring their credits to Pacific.