<p>University of Puget Sound and PLU are overrated. Seattle Pacific is underrated. Western Washington University is an underrated public.</p>
<p>Do you think I'll get a decision before March? I plan to visit my college choices at the end of March.
I submitted on November 29, and still waiting a preliminary review.
3.4UW gpa/3.74 weighted
SAT-1130
45/364 class rank
out of state</p>
<p>Only speculation; it seems there may be a hierachy of consideration: AI 70 and over; first consideration and decision; AI in the 60s; second consideration and decision; under AI 60; third consideration and decision. AI 70 and over and almost certain admit and so on. Your AI is 54 and out of state.</p>
<p>im gnna be honest and say ur chances are low. But you never know. If someone likes ur EC's very much or ur personal essay is like one of those rare good ones u could get in. But 3.4 and 1130 probably will not cut it.</p>
<p>but still a decent chance. BTW, I finally got my acceptance letter just today, for those of you who are fearing that "given initial review, decision pending." I had that message for a while but still got accepted pretty quickly. Thanks for all. (I got into Tualne and Illinois institute of technology also; think about getting 3 acceptances in 1 day!)</p>
<p>You probably posted this elsewhere, but your GPA and SAT and residence status? Thanks.</p>
<p>Currently living in South Carolina, but with no greencard (international applicant)
3.9 uw
1370 sat
790/680/630 satii
287 toefl</p>
<p>Oh yes, I remember. I thought your "initial review" status was just a result of being a non-citizen while the University did some extra checking. So you are an exception to the "decision pending rule." You are actually proof of the rule because I haven't seen anyone who was yet accepted post who was a U.S. citizen with an AI above 70 who got the "decision pending" statement. I don't think it means something bad. It just means you are going to have a more extensive review for a variety of reasons.</p>
<p>mmboys07 - I'd be interested in hearing why you think University of Puget Sound is overrated. My D has applied there and we were both quite impressed when we visited the campus.</p>
<p>Whoa, I haven't checked this thread in like, 243523 years. But anyways, in response to some of those who replied to my most recent post (late Dec, pg 2)...</p>
<p>heefar7--oops, I didn't mean to put "other" in there. Three schools so far altogether, UW included. And what was really cool was that I got all three responses within 3 consecutive days, one after another. Does a lot to boost your confidence, haha. The other two are Tulane and Willamette. I, too, am out-of-state, but all the schools in my state are crap which equates to me not applying for any of them, hehe. So as far as public schools go, no matter which state I go to, I'll most likely be facing the same amount financially.</p>
<p>rovee - Yup! Applied the 1st, got a response the 23rd. I never even saw the whole "preliminary review" thing everyone else seems to be talking about, heh. I was surprised myself. My friend, who sent in his application like, two or three weeks before the priority deadline, who is applying to a bunch of Ivy Leagues with a 1500 SAT score and 800s on all of his SAT IIs (four of them), still hasn't gotten a response. Strange how those UW AdComs work, isn't it? And no, I didn't send in a official transcript, I just filled out the self-reporting form like it asked me to. I am, however, sending in my official transcript with my Honors Program application, which, like a true procrastinator, I am going to be sending out tommorow morning in the mail -- the date of the deadline. Other noteworthy schools I'm applying to (besides the two I already mentioned above) include, but are not limited to: Wellesley College, Georgetown University, University of Southern California, UC San Diego, and Washington and Lee. Although each of these universities are all quite prestigious in their own ways, UW is looking better and better mostly because not only is it an excellent institution, but it's so close to home (yet still far enough away) and not as pricy. The thing that worries me the most is the class sizes being so huge. </p>
<p>ecnerwalc3321 - I live in Idaho, but practically am in Washington -- my town is like 5 seconds from the Washington border, really close to Pullman, WA. In fact, as much as being from Idaho sucks, I think it's been and will continue giving me a bit of an advantage as far as the admissions process goes, particularly for the east coast schools that I am applying to.</p>
<p>Well, now I'm back to finishing up that Honors Program application. Oh, and the best of luck to all of you who have not yet received a response!</p>
<p>Edit: DUDE, how cool am I? I now have a @u.washington.edu email address, haha. email me (<a href="mailto:noonies@u.washington.edu">noonies@u.washington.edu</a>) sometime! (.... Sorry, I'm retarded. XP)</p>
<p>LuckyMe, In the 1970s UPS set themselves a goal of becoming a nationally recognized liberal arts school. They liked to advertise themselves as the Harvard of the west. They opened a law school and so on. It didn't really work out. They have a certain reputation. I just don't think they are outstanding in any particular area especially given the level of their tuition. In the last few years they decided to close the law school (sold to Seattle University) to redirect funds back into their undergraduate programs. They have started to expand the physical plant; but not the library, which it seems to me must always be a standard for measuring the quality of a university; not to mention their bookstore is minor at best. I also note they have themselves listed in a rather odd category of schools in the US News 2005 rankings. They are listed 77 in the national liberal arts category. They are not listed in the Comprehensive Masters category which would compare them with Seattle University; Seattle Pacific and PLU; and Western (public). I don't think they would stand up so well in that category. Bottom line: For all the money a person would be shelling out I don't think you get the bang for the buck. However, more than once in my life, I have been mistaken. The most important thing is: Do you and your d like it and want to go there. Don't put too much faith in the on-line blather of some parent you don't know. Good luck.</p>
<p>PS. For my money; based on academics; location and opportunity: The best all around in the region:</p>
<p>University of Washington
University of British Columbia
Western Washington University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
Pacific Luthern University (terrible location)
University of Puget Sound</p>
<p>I exclude Whitman because of the location.
I also exclude Oregon because I have not looked into the schools in enough detail.</p>
<p>mmboys07 - Thanks for your response. I have to say, I disagree with most of your evaluation. I do think UW and UBC should be at the top of the list for large, public universities. However, the other schools that you compared with UPS do not appear to be of the same caliber. UPS is far more selective than any of the other schools you mentioned. It seems to me that the reason UPS is ranked under Best Liberal Arts Colleges, rather than Best Universities- Masters is because their primary emphasis their liberal arts undergraduate program. Conversely, the other schools would probably not even make it onto the list for Best Liberal Arts Colleges. </p>
<p>My D and I were very impressed with UPS in many areas, including its location, International Relations - Economics program, and its library.</p>
<p>A final shot: U.S. News (2005) Best Colleges:</p>
<p>Peer Assessment: 1-5 (5 being highest)</p>
<p>Seattle Pacific: 3.5
Western Wa. U. 3.3
UPS:3.0</p>
<p>Ave. GPA & SAT (Princeton Review)</p>
<p>Seattle Pacific: 1154 3.65
Western WA. U. 1120 3.52
UPS 1252 3.57</p>
<p>I would say the differences are marginal at best. As far as location; Tacoma has nothing on Seattle or Bellingham. As for library; The library at Seattle Pacific is comparable to UPS; The library at Western is far superior.</p>
<p>But as I said before; I may be mistaken and in the end; my viewpoint must be a non-factor.</p>
<p>how many days did it take the status to change from a decision is pending to the decision
it changes my status to an prelim... awaiting a final decision thing ?????</p>
<p>My d got: "awaiting preliminary review" on Dec. 9; "intitial review, decision pending" on Jan. 5. This message has not changed as of 1/16. I have yet to see anyone on this board who has gone from an "intitial review" message to an "application reviewd" message, except one person who was an international applicant who was above AI 70 in any case.</p>
<p>mmboys07 - According to your stats, the differences don't seem that great, but I'm finding different numbers from the same publications. For one thing, neither Seattle Pacific or Western Washington University are even included in the Princeton Review - Best 351 Colleges. It also says that UPS has an avg. GPA of 3.6, and Seattle University is 3.5 - UPS has 43% graduating in top 10%, Seattle Univ. has 28%. While I don't think the difference in their avg. GPA is significant, I do the their SAT Avg. differences are. </p>
<p>With regard to the Peer Assessment Scores from U.S. News, UPS is being compared with the best LACs and the others with the Best Univ. with only M asters programs by region, UPS vs Willams and Swarthmore and Seattle University vs Trinity Univ. TX and Santa Clara U. Whitman, which is listed under Best LACs, only received 3.3 and I know through anecdotal evidence, and articles I've read, Whitman's students are extremely enthusiastic about their school. </p>
<p>All in all, I still believe UPS is in a different league than the other schools you mentioned.</p>
<p>My D and I are thrilled that she's been accepted at UW, but we're anxious to hear from her other choices, and only hope she has some hard decisions to make in April.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry too much if you haven't heard yet from UW. I know one student who was accepted EA at Dartmouth, who applied early Nov. to UW and has not yet heard anything - so you're in good company.</p>
<p>yeah what the heck I think I slapped together my app or something but I didn't notice an honors application and now the deadline is passed! What should I do? Can I do anything? I haven't even been accepted and I thought I would have no trouble: 3.8, 1400, in state. What the heck?!</p>
<p>LuckyMe; part of our different viewpoint may have something to do with the starting point of our positions. My overrated statement begins with the notion that what the University actually has to offer is not really up to par with perceptions. I would say, for example, if a higher calibar, on average, student enrolls at UPS as opposed to Western or Seattle Pacific, those students are operating under a false impression concerning the quality of UPS. They would receive just as good an education and opportunities from Western or Seattle Pacific. In fact I would argue there is kind of a herd mentality that kicks in. You may recall my little history overview above. As part of UPS's efforts to increase their reputation in the 70s & 80s they undertook an extensive advertising and recruitment campaign on the East Coast; to some benefit as your posts indicate. As for the Princeton Review top 351. I am not familiar with the methodolgy for inclusion or exclusion. Finally, I am offering Seattle Pacific and Western as legitimate alternatives to UPS not Seattle U. But again; mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! I may be mistaken.</p>
<p>I just applied yesterday w/ a 63 AI. My unweighted GPA was a 3.54 and w/ weights I am hovering somewhere around 3.7.... SAT was 1210 and sent in my SAT II scores which were 660/630/560. I've taken quite a few honors/AP courses so I guess that would make my low AI seem a tad better? My EC's and essays were pretty decent overall too.</p>
<p>I dunno what do you think?</p>
<p>are you in state? how do you know your AI? You look good to me, I don't see why everyone is freaking out I thought this was an easy school to get into. Your stats look good to me and AP classes are impressive and will compensate a low GPA which you don't even have!</p>