Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
- When should I apply to PCC?
Apply today! It is ideal if you apply during your junior year or by January of your senior year, although we accept applications until the semester begins. PCC accepts qualified candidates as they apply until all available spaces are filled. To expedite the process, apply online!
- What are the academic requirements for acceptance at PCC?
Academic requirements include a high school diploma or GED, and ACT/SAT scores if you are under age 20. We also need three recommendation forms. See Admissions Requirements or Academic Information for more information.
- My scores on my ACT/SAT were not as high as I’d
hoped. What should I do?
Go ahead and apply now.
- Am I required to have medical insurance?
Medical insurance may be helpful but is not required for admission. The Graf Clinic, which is staffed by medical professionals, is available to on-campus students. The purpose of this clinic is to provide residence hall students with health care during regular clinic hours for minor illnesses and injuries. After-hours health needs and serious illnesses or injuries are referred to off-campus medical facilities associated with one of three area hospitals.
- How can I obtain medical insurance?
Students are responsible for their own health insurance through their parents’ health insurance policy or through their own individual purchase of health insurance.
Finances
- How much does it cost to attend PCC?
PCC’s tuition, room, and board rate is $7,500. This is less than half the cost of most colleges.
- What does PCC do to help students afford a Christian college education?
From its beginning, PCC has taken steps to provide both an affordable and excellent Christian college education for any student who desires to live for God. Fees are kept as low as possible to benefit all students. God has blessed this goal by providing funds from an affiliate company, A Beka Book, to offset construction costs for many wonderful campus facilities.
- What if I still need some form of financial assistance?
Financial assistance is provided through low cost, financial help, scholarships, and work assistance. The assistance provided helps the student to pay for college now without incurring debt that will need to be repaid later.
- Will I qualify for financial help?
Many students qualify for financial help! This is available to first-time freshman students who declare a four-year major.
- What if I need a job to meet my college expenses?
PCC provides over 1,000 jobs on campus through the Work Assistance Program. This program is ideal for student employment since a vehicle is not required to commute to work. Earnings are applied toward the student’s college account each month.
A five-week winter break allows students more time to earn money between semesters. Second semester ends early in May to make it easier to obtain summer employment.
- Do I need a loan or grant to pay for college expenses?
PCC students are normally able to pay for college without loans because of the affordable rate, work assistance program, and scholarships available. A recent survey showed that most PCC students are able to graduate completely debt-free!
Educational fund programs are described on our Financial Info page for those who need additional help. Personal loans and privately-funded scholarships occasionally help students too. It is not necessary for students to borrow government funds for college expenses, and PCC does not participate in those programs.
Home School Students
- What does my high school transcript
need to include?
Your transcript needs to show the classes you have taken in 9th-12th grades, with a final grade (letter or number grade or pass/fail) for each subject. It also needs to show the month and year that your high school education was completed.
- Are there specific courses that I must take in high school?
Those who oversee your education make the decisions about what courses you must take to receive a high school education. Your ACT/SAT scores will demonstrate the results of this education.
- Is the GED required of home school students?
If you do not have record of your high school grades, you will need to take the GED.
Transferring to PCC
- I am already attending another college, but I’d really like to attend Pensacola Christian College. Is this possible since I’ve been attending college elsewhere?
Absolutely! Many students make a smooth transition to PCC from other colleges. Your first step is to apply to PCC. After application to PCC, your college transcript can be reviewed to determine how your credits will transfer to PCC.
- How does PCC evaluate my college transcript?
We will need to receive an official copy of your college transcript and a catalog from the college where you attended. Grades of “C” and above will be evaluated. The credits may transfer as an equivalent of a course offered at PCC or may be considered as an elective. You will be notified of the results of this evaluation once it is complete.
- Do you still need a copy of my high school transcript?
Yes, your high school transcript will still be necessary even if you have attended another college.
Re-applicants
- I applied to PCC in the past, but cancelled my enrollment
since I wasn’t able to attend at that time. Is it possible
for me to change my reservation to another semester?
If your reservation was cancelled, you will need to apply again, but you’ll find it will be even easier this time! If your references were mailed within the past year, you will not need to submit new references. If a completed high school transcript was sent after you graduated, you will not need to submit another copy.
- May I apply for financial help again?
Yes! Remember that you will need to be a first-time freshman planning to live in the residence halls to be eligible for financial help.
Academics
- What quality of education will I receive at PCC?
PCC administration and faculty constantly strive to provide an education that will fully prepare you for your chosen field and exceed the quality of preparation required by your future employers. You will be required to complete 128 credit hours to earn a four-year degree, with a “C” required in all courses in your major field and a “B” required in some specific courses. Degree requirements include competencies in general education core classes (Bible, English, history, physical education, science/mathematics, social studies, and speech) as well as specialized courses for your major.
The academic experience of our faculty, including advanced degrees and in-field experience, are also carefully considered to provide you with the best education possible. Our faculty members are spiritually committed and demonstrate a strong desire to help students excel academically. Students find that PCC’s caring faculty members are a constant encouragement for their academic progress.
Excellent library facilities are available to PCC students, including a 6-story library complex with over 300,000 volumes, along with on-line resources. Specialized lab and learning resources abound across campus to serve needs of various fields of study.
PCC’s academic standards can be reviewed in detail on our Academic Info page. We are pleased that our students have demonstrated a level of academic quality that has been recognized by many fine graduate schools. Though transfer of credit and acceptance at graduate school depend upon personal academic achievement and requirements of individual institutions, many graduates continue their education at some of America’s finest colleges and universities.
- Why do Christian schools speak so highly of your education graduates?
The PCC education department trains students with a distinctive Christian philosophy of education to teach in Christian schools. Combining this with excellent hands-on training makes the PCC education graduate highly desired by Christian schools throughout the world. Many Christian schools who have witnessed the excellence in our graduates have sent teachers to PCC for short training sessions or for graduate study to help them gain the training our education students receive.
Our education program is not designed for public school teachers; however, in 2000 the Governor of Florida signed legislation that permits PCC graduates to apply for teacher certification in Florida. If a graduate teaches outside Florida, he may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education to submit to his state Department of Education, assuming his state has reciprocity with Florida.
- How valuable is a nursing degree from PCC?
PCC provides the best possible education in the development of professional knowledge and nursing skills. PCC’s nursing program maintains approval by the Florida State Board of Nursing. Nursing students complete over 900 hours of practical nursing experience, giving them an edge over other nursing graduates entering the health care field. Graduates may sit for the nursing exam in any state, not just in Florida. PCC graduates have an excellent success rate in passing this exam, and they serve in positions of leadership and responsibility in a variety of health care settings throughout the world.
- Is it easy to get into medical school if I earn a pre-medicine degree from PCC?
It can be challenging to be admitted to medical school from any college or university unless you have excellent grades and Medical College Admission Test® scores. PCC helps by requiring pre-medicine students to maintain at least a “B” in all biology, chemistry, and physics courses. The overall curriculum of PCC’s pre-medicine program provides the kind of experience medical schools are looking for, and this helps graduates in their goal to one day earn an M.D. or other medical degree. PCC graduates have successfully completed degrees at many medical schools including some of America’s most prestigious medical schools.
- How will your prelaw program prepare me for applying to law school?
The PCC prelaw program will give you a broad spectrum of liberal arts study, including history, accounting, economics, political science, and criminal justice. This broad basis is important to law schools. PCC graduates with good grades and an excellent Law School Admission Test® score have been successfully accepted to many law schools. PCC prelaw graduates are represented in many legal professions, including lawyers, prosecutors, judges, state legislators, and the federal government.
- How does PCC assist graduates with job placement?
The Placement Office is a resource available to PCC seniors who are ready to begin seeking employment opportunities. Potential employers come to campus to interview graduating seniors.
Spiritual Life
- Will I feel comfortable at PCC?
Young people who desire to grow spiritually while gaining academic knowledge find PCC to be an ideal environment. The friendly student body, Christian atmosphere, and caring faculty make PCC a great place to make friends and perhaps even find a good Christian husband or wife!
- What are the doctrinal beliefs of Pensacola Christian College?
PCC stands on the Word of God in training students for God’s honor and glory. Please see our Articles of Faith for more details.
- What opportunities for service will be available for me?
Opportunities for service include children’s ministries, nursing homes, music, witnessing, missions, and many other student and church ministries. PCC students have a heart for others and this is evidenced by the way they serve the Lord in our community.
- Do you recommend a particular Bible version for me to use at PCC?
You will need a copy of the King James Version (KJV) for memorization of verses in the classroom and for church/chapel use.
Housing
- Where would I live if I came to PCC?
Single students under 25 years of age live in the residence halls, which are modern, comfortable, and convenient for walking to class. Students whose parents live in the Pensacola area may either stay in the residence halls (many do because of the convenience) or may choose to stay at home.
- What are the options for students who have been out of high school for a while?
The residence halls are available for single students who are under 30 years old. Since these students have different living needs, students who are at least 23 years old are assigned to residence hall areas specifically designated for them.
Single students over 25 years of age may choose to live off campus. Married students also live off campus.
- May I bring my vehicle to college?
College students are welcome to have automobiles on campus. They will be assigned an individual parking space.
What if I have more questions?
Please contact us so we can be of better assistance to you. We are excited that you are considering PCC and look forward to having you here as a student!
