Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA, USA

Reviews

Pacific Union College

Anonymous

a past student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
PUC is a beautiful campus with a strong academic program, friendly students and helpful faculty. You will learn a little bit of everything there is to know about the world and a whole lot about yourself.
Tips for prospective students
Make friends with someone who has a car if you don't already have one. They will save your life on the weekends.
Academic Rigor
This is real life, people. College is not a joke. PUC has a hardcore academic program. You are expected to work hard. Your grades are your responsibility. A lot of classes are fun and interesting, but they can be demanding, so just keep in mind that this is no easy task. You can work and play but never sleep, sleep and work but never play, or play and sleep but never work. Some people find a balance between all three, but it's pretty rare.
The teachers are very helpful and always willing to help you if you are struggling, but do not expect them to reach out to you. You have to be the one to show initiative.
For the love of Pete, DO NOT be afraid to ask for help!! Everyone struggles. It's normal, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. That's why teachers and tutors exist, they are there to help you succeed.

Just work hard and study hard. You can do it.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is what you make it, but in my experience, it was awesome. You get really close to your neighbors and RA's. Everyone is really friendly. Graf is a noisy dorm, where no one sleeps and everyone sings and blasts music in the showers at 2 am, but it's all good and it's all part of college. Graf girls are a family, and the community is tightly knit. They are there for you no matter what.

Andre and Winning are the two other women's dorms, and they are pretty quiet compared to Graf.
Food and Dining
If you like meat and fish, you probably should not be looking into PUC. The menu is strictly vegetarian. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options, but you have to ask about that.

The Dining Commons (cafeteria) usually serves three different types of meals: traditional, exhibition, and international. Traditional is usually grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, handmade pizza, lasagna, and so forth.
Exhibition is a pick-and-choose kind of deal. You decide what you want. The food is prepared on the spot and served. This usually includes pasta, veggies, fried rice, noodles, omelettes, etc. The downside about exhibition is that the line is always very long.

International is international food, such as curry, bibimbap, chow mein, etc.

Sandwich station is where you can custom order your sandwich. Salad bar is pretty extensive and has a lot of stuff to choose from. They also have soups of the day. HUGE selection of juice/sodas/energy drinks. Lots of different ice cream. A la carte is usually premade sandwiches, prepackaged meals and salads.

There is always fresh pastries and bread and desserts and such. Look out for Hawaiian bread during the Spring quarter. They usually bake it nearing the end of the quarter and it's delicious, but it sells really fast, so make sure you get a loaf or two.

They have taqueria every night, which is basically a nacho/burrito bar.

The Grind is a coffee/tea/every-other-drink-you-can-think-of joint where people usually chill to do homework or hang out. The Grind offers a lot of variety in the items they sell: candy, healthy snacks, frozen foods, yoghurt, Naked juice, sodas, energy drinks, vegan sandwiches, cereals, microwaveable foods, and other stuff.

The food in general is pretty good.
What to do for fun
San Francisco has a ton of stuff to do, and it's only about an hour and a half away from the school. Snowboarding/skiing up in Tahoe and surfing in LA. Hiking in the backtrails of the school and plenty of events during the year hosted by clubs. St. Helena and Calistoga is where students usually go on weekends. There's a Bouchon in Yountville, they have amazing macarons. Hit up Guigni's and Azteca Market for some seriously good eats; these are both located in St. Helena.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Bikini caroling/ Boxer caroling: during the winter at about 12 at midnight, girls will go by the boys dorms wearing bikinis and singing Christmas songs. The guys will do the same, except wearing boxers. It's very amusing.

Midnight Breakfast:The cafeteria will stay open until 1 am for one night during finals week and serve breakfast.

I know people used to get tossed into the fountain on their birthday, but I don't think it's allowed anymore.
Great for these types of students
PUC is great for someone who is hardworking, motivated, and dedicated to making a change. If you're friendly and outgoing and social, PUC is for you. The campus is quite small and everyone knows everyone, so even if you are a bit shy, it doesn't take long to come out of your shell.
Clubs and Activities
There are plenty of clubs and associations to join at PUC. The most popular clubs are SA, Business Club, Mabuhuay-Filipino Club, KASA, and BSU. Other interesting clubs include Sign Language, Amnesty International, Chess, and Music. The best way to enjoy your school and become involved.

PUC always has something going on. REVO, blood drives, a pumpkin carving contest during the fall, midnight breakfast, free pizza feeds during finals week, visits to the city for shopping, there's a pool and a gym and a running track and hundreds of trails to explore. The Pacific Cafe (more commonly known as The Grind) has movie nights, live music once a month, pie eating contests, ping pong tournaments, random contests for prizes.

SA does a lot too. Banquets, cheap tickets for ice skating and trampoline houses and other crazy but awesome and fun things.

There's something for everyone at PUC; just pay attention and look for things that interest you.
Greek Life
Not a thing here
Campus Safety
The campus is really safe. The school is basically located in the middle of nowhere on top of a mountain, so not much goes on. Though there was never a report on cougar sightings or attacks while I attended, there are most definitely cougars/mountains lions that reside in the back trails. Be careful and try not to explore the back woods alone.

Emily from Bakersfield, CA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
PUC is a great school in a beautiful natural setting. The campus atmosphere is tranquil and inviting. All of the students seem friendly and welcoming and all of the professors and staff members seem helpful and encouraging
Tips for prospective students
Visit PUC's campus and get a feel for it yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. It's a great school and there's lots to do.
Academic Rigor
From what I've seen, all of PUC's classes and programs are comprehensive and well-rounded. You receive a very good education and good preparation for getting a job or pursuing further education afterwards.
Dorm Life
The dorms have a very good setup and atmosphere. There's always someone at the front desk to help, there's a dean assigned to each hall, the lobbies and visiting areas seem wam and cozy, and the rooms are well set up.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria has a lot of variety. There's something for everyone and it's all delicious. In the dining area there are lots of tables, cushioned benches, and even some couches for eating and hanging out with your friends.
What to do for fun
PUC has a great gym. There are lots of benches and cool areas for hanging out with friends.
Bang for the buck
PUC is great! Great Academics! Great Environment! Beautiful natural setting! Lots to do and lots of resources right on campus.
Great for these types of students
Great for Pre-Med/Pre-Nursing, Art, and Theology students.

Maggie from Riverside, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
PUC is a school where you will feel very comfortable if you have been raised in the Adventist church, especially if you are familiar with the more conservative side of the church. On a small campus, you will definitely have a chance to get to know a lot of people. Dorm life is amazing, and the local activities are more varied than most people think.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you get your financial awards in writing. Don't get distracted by the beautiful Napa Valley, but make sure you have time to hang out with friends in nearby San Francisco or Sacramento. Use your cafeteria card wisely!
Academic Rigor
Depending on which classes you take, you will find different requiremtns. Just remember, you're not in high school anymore!
Dorm Life
While you're not in high school anymore as far as academics are concerned, sometimes in the dorm it feels like high school all over again - just with older peers! No matter which dorm you live in, enjoy the experience of sharing bathrooms and showers with your friends. Curfews are relatively strict, but not a problem if you're like me and enjoy being asleep before midnight!
Food and Dining
The cafeteria is vegetarian, but the food is still decent. To make things easier for students, everyone is required to pay a flat fee at the beginning of each quarter. Any money that is left over at the end is not given back to you, so most students purchase cases of food and drinks at the end of the quarter to get their money's worth unless they're helping an unfortunate friend who didn't plan their funding just right. It's not hard to stay under your allotted budget, but it can happen!
What to do for fun
While the town of Angwin itself can be rather quiet, especially on Sabbath (Saturday) afternoons, there is always something to do either alone or with a group of friends! Church members often invite students to their homes for lunch, and it's fun to go with a group of people, or meet new friends. Napa valley is known for its beauty and wine tasting, so there are plenty of tourist attractions around. The San Francisco Bay area provides an endless number of things to do, whether you go to China Town or Alcatraz, there's always something new to explore! The state capitol is just a few hours away, and students enjoy spending a weekend away. The beach is about an hour's drive off of the mountain, and this is a popular getaway especially during the hot summer months. If you don't want to go off campus, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the PUC property. A favorite hike is Linda Falls, just a mile or two from the gym parking lot. PUC also has a track, tennis courts, open gym, and popular intermurals for students to get involved in.
Bang for the buck
If you are at school on someone else's dollar, then you won't be worried nearly as much about bang for your buck. If you're just there to chill, PUC is a beautiful place to hang out, but you might be bored with the natural atmosphere. There is no mall close by or other entertainment of that sort, so it may be easy to get bored if your focus isn't studying. But if you work to pay your own tuition like I do, you will find that there are many ways to get your money's worth out of PUC. Make sure you plan a full class schedule, because you pay the same tuition no matter how many units you're registered for. If you have any extra time, clubs and activities are a great way to fill in the gaps. While there isn't a mall within ffourty minutes, I find that the lack of distractions helps me to focus on my studeis better.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
On someone's birthday, his/her friends often get together and throw them into the fountain in the middle of campus. This can be a welcome cool down in June, or a icy wake up call at midnight in January!
Great for these types of students
There are all kinds of students on campus. The folks who just relax through the day and party all night, and the people you never see outside of class because they have their nose in their books constantly!
Clubs and Activities
There are a ton of ethnic clubs who allow anyone to join! Clubs on campus are very active and there is an event just about every weekend that everyone is invited to attend!
Greek Life
Two words: boxer caroling :)
Campus Safety
As a small town, Angwin is naturally on the safer side. Although there are a few small incidents here and there, the general student population is very trustworthy. This could be due in part to the fact that it is such a small school that students are more familiar with each other and therefore have more respect for one another. As an added precaution, there are locks on the dorm doors after curfew, campus security does rounds in the parking lot, and the campus is well lit.

Jeffrey from Miami, FL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Pacific Union College is a school were a student can discover exactly who they are, and what they want to do for the rest of his or her life. It offers both educational and spiritual opportunities for students who are struggling to find a place in this world. This school is exceptional academically, and the people here are friendly and accepting.
Tips for prospective students
For prospective students, I recommend you bring a positive outlook of life, and a great attitude towards learning and discovering new things. New students should have an open mind about different cultures because Pacific Union College is very diverse. They should also be ready to enjoy the wineries and mountainous views.
Academic Rigor
PUC has some of the most well educated and extremely qualified teachers. Our professors are very accomplished in their fields. Many of them have worked on current text books being used at other universities, or have completed research projects. They have received awards for books written and other various accomplishments. We have a great student to professor ratio, which allows each student to seek help from professors when needed. We are challenged in each class, and we are taught with great passion.
Dorm Life
PUC offers a great dorm experience for students. There are plenty of activities such as dorm worships and dorm olympics. The deans often provide students with snacks and treats during the school year. Some of the dorms have chapels, study rooms, and lounges for mingling. The rooms are spacious, and they offer services such as a kitchen, laundry room, and vending machines.
Food and Dining
We have contracted one of the finest dining companies in the United States. Bon ape-tit provides great food and service for us. They offer a variety of foods coming from difference nations. The only problem is that the food is very costly.
What to do for fun
Pacific Union College has a great athletic program, and students attend and support the sport teams and sporting events. There are also campus events such as Midnight Madness (pep rally), Talent show, Open Mic Night, and many more that provides students with opportunities to be involved on campus. Intramural sports are big part of PUC, and a great portion of students participate in these events.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Pacific Union College has it's own Airport, which students use as part of their aviation training. The school also has an observatory used for astronomy classes, and where students can go and look at the stars at night.
Clubs and Activities
There many different clubs at Pacific Union College. These clubs cater to the different ethnic groups and diverse people that we have at our school. Some of these include Society of Latinos club (SOL), Black Student Union (BSU), Korean Club, and Asian Club.
Campus Safety
We offer public safety to all students, and these services allows students to feel safe on campus. Public Safety picks up and drops students off during the late hours of the night. They monitor all suspicious activity around campus, and they help provide safety from drugs, alcohol, and fire disasters.

Adbni from Highland, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The Professors are here to help you learn. They are very friendly and open to your suggestions, discussions, and questions. They want to help you succeed and therefore the school provides help if you ask.
Am enjoying being here
The school has a beautiful location. The people are great, and very friendly. The only downside is the fact that it is kind of far and other than nature exploring, and road trips, there is not much else to do.
Bang for the buck
Due to the fact that Pacific Union College is a private school, it can be expensive. However, if you value Adventist education, it is definitely worth it, the scenery is beautiful though!
Tips for prospective students
PUC is a great school, you will have a great experience if you attend. Study hard, get to know your Professors and be sure to get involved as much as you can in extracurricular activities!
Great for these types of students
Outdoors, nature, nursing majors and anyone who wants to be away from the city!

Seth from Santa Rosa, CA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is an Adventist school that focuses of God, Academics, and other programs. The professors are great and actually care about you. There are people who care about you and the academic advisors here are great/
Tips for prospective students
Bring warm clothes during the winter
Academic Rigor
it can be pretty Challenging sometimes
Dorm Life
Depends on the dorm.
Food and Dining
Foods okay
What to do for fun
there are plenty of actives on and off campus to do
Bang for the buck
If you are a very devoted student with a high GPA it is worth your money
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We're Spiritual and Believe in God
Great for these types of students
Great for Adventist
Clubs and Activities
Tons of Clubs
Campus Safety
Very safe Campus