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Inquiring Minds Want to Know

So what do you want to know? Really. Anything.

We ask students to answer your questions because — let’s face it — they know best what it’s like to be a student at Seattle Pacific University.

Why does SPU cost so much? Chris Metzger, Chandler, AZ

First of all, Seattle Pacific’s current tuition rate is the lowest of 10 comparable private institutions in the Northwest. But tuition is not cheap. Quality programs and professors cost money. And, as a private institution, SPU doesn’t receive any government funding. SPU does offer a plethora of financial aid to help offset the tuition costs. I have received a number of scholarships, grants and loans, including the Ames Scholarship and Dean’s Scholarship. SPU is worth the expense, and it’s affordable if you apply yourself to find the money.

How hard is it to juggle academics with playing a varsity sport? John Koberstein, Gig Harbor, WA

The key to success is knowing what helps you to manage your time. This past Winter Quarter, we had afternoon practices and consistent travel for conference games. I work in the evening after practice, and I don’t like doing homework at night. So I found time to do homework in the morning and early afternoon. Or I save easier assignments for the nighttime. No one is telling you what to do, so you have to stick to your time-management plan, and if you deviate, know yourself and how much time it takes you to catch back up.

How many hours of sleep do college students get per night (average) on weekdays? Somi Yoo, Mercer Island, WA

I’d say six to eight hours, but that’s just a guess. I can operate off a little bit of sleep, but I personally like to get my rest, since I juggle so many things during the day. I typically get seven hours a night. I make this happen by trying not to procrastinate with homework and staying away from 8 a.m. classes if I can!

Most of the food I eat is homemade from scratch and cafeteria-type food is NOT appealing to me, so is the food good at SPU? Alexis Morra, Moor Park, CA

Gwinn Commons offers tons of variety, different cultural dishes, a fresh salad bar at lunch and dinner, and also the favorites of burgers and pizza. My freshman year, I went one week where I literally ate a burger at almost every dinner, so now I try to stay away from them. My favorite dish from Gwinn is chicken parmesan for lunch, teriyaki chicken for dinner, and French toast for either breakfast or dinner. I do get bored with Gwinn sometimes, which happens sooner or later if you eat anywhere every day. But the quality is still exceptional.

If coming from another state, can I expect to meet many more out-of-state students? If so, what state do the majority of students come from? Ka`ena Kalima-Gascon, Honolulu, HI

More than half of SPU’s students are from Washington state. However, SPU is very diverse in the number of students that it attracts from different states and countries. I myself am from Los Angeles, and I have met friends here at SPU from Africa, New York, Colorado, California, Hawaii, and lots of other places.

How much a part of life is religion at SPU? I love what I’ve heard about SPU except I’m not religious. Will I feel out of place? Caroline Kahn, Boulder, CO

Christ is the foundation on which the University was built. However, SPU does not force the Christian faith on its students. I went to a Pentecostal church all my life. Being a part of the SPU community has allowed me to ask questions about my faith and learn from others.

For more answers to real questions, visit the Inquiring Minds archives.