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Pacific named one of America's 'dream schools'

Dream School

New York Times best-selling author Jeff Selingo highlights 色虎视频 as one of America鈥檚 new 鈥淒ream Schools鈥 in his newly released book identifying 75 colleges and universities that are exemplars for academic excellence, accessibility, affordability, experiential learning and exceptional student outcomes.

鈥淒ream School: Finding the College That鈥檚 Right for You鈥 is based on extensive research and a survey of more than 3,000 parents. Selingo commissioned new research and analysis to identify four-year colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates in all regions of the United States that met high standards of student-centered learning.

鈥淲hen we stop equating selectivity of schools with quality, dozens of college opportunities open up,鈥 Selingo said. 鈥淢y goal with this book is to help families see beyond the myth that there are only a dozen 鈥榞ood鈥 schools. This list highlights institutions with strong outcomes, accessible admissions and dynamic student experiences.鈥

In a separate communication to Pacific President Christopher Callahan, the author said that 鈥淧acific represents what so many families told me they want in a college today: a clearer pathway to a career."

鈥淐ollege is more than a degree now,鈥 Selingo continued. 鈥淐olleges need to provide hands-on learning in classes and through internships and undergraduate research. When we were looking at institutions that provide those experiences to students, Pacific stood out because of its experiential learning and connections to major employers that mean students enter the workforce earning well above expectations."

Selingo pointed out Pacific鈥檚 dual-degree programs in dentistry, law and pharmacy, which he noted provide families an outstanding return on their investment through accelerated undergraduate coursework and professional degrees at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, McGeorge School of Law and Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy.

The Eberhart School of Business also was featured for its Eberhardt Student Investment Fund, which allows students to gain experience managing real investment portfolios.

鈥淭he Eberhardt Student Investment Fund exemplifies the power of experiential learning at Pacific,鈥 said Dean Lewis R. Gale. 鈥淥ur students actively manage a $5 million investment portfolio by conducting sector research, presenting their recommendations to their fellow students for approval and distributing earnings to support other students every year. These experiences prepare our graduates to lead with confidence in the business world before they graduate.鈥

The book also highlighted the university鈥檚 generous merit-based scholarships as another 鈥渟tandout factor.鈥

The Dream School analysis aligns with Pacific鈥檚 mission.

"We believe the true measure of any university lies in the success of its students,鈥 President Callahan said. 鈥淲e are pleased to be featured on the 鈥楧ream School鈥 list because it evaluates institutions on measures that we believe are the most important in a college education 鈥 academic excellence, accessibility and great student outcomes 鈥 not dated ideas of 鈥榚lite鈥 schools based on traditional reputations.鈥