<p>First off, this is my first time posting here.</p>
<p>I am a junior in high school, and I have been looking alot into my options for college. My GPA is solid at about 3.9 (should be going up after I'll be taking a couple of honors and AP classes), I will take the SATs in a few eeks, and I think I'll do about average on them. My main problem is finances.</p>
<p>Anyways, I have been heavily looking into University of Oregon. I have heard alot of grat things about the college, but I have not heard too many thoughts on it. Does anyone here go there or know anything about it?</p>
<p>Basically what I want to know is:
How are the academics? How is the campus? What are class sizes like? What are the students like? Good social school with parties? How is the area outside of the campus? What are the best ways to get into UO? </p>
<p>The academics are pretty good. Strong programs (in no particular order) include English, Journalism, Business, Architecture, Chemistry, Education and Music. With your GPA I suggest you look into the Honors College at Oregon. You should be a slam dunk for admission.</p>
<p>Although I graduated in the later 70's, class sizes can be large as at any state school. With economic conditions as they have been over many years, I can't imagine that class size has been reduced in any signicant manner. As with any school, classes can be great or they can be bad depending on the professor. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, students tend to be liberal although there are conservatives on campus. The campus is beautiful and there is a great quality of life in Eugene. There is much to do and many outdoor activities available. You can be at the coast in a little over an hour. There is no lack of parties and there is a vibrant social scene. The city of Eugene is nice and you can be in Portland in less than 2 hours. If you have a car, you can have access to the mountains or go to central Oregon.</p>
<p>Although there is a lot of rain, the rain doesn't interfere with most anyones lifestyle. They run and bike in the rain. Sports are big on campus. Idon't know if it still occurs, but Eugene was the first place I had ever been where the cross country meet was broadcast on the radio.</p>
<p>All in all, it was an enjoyable place to go to school.</p>
<p>Based on your name it appears you are in CA. Basically the academics there are average, but Eugene is beautiful with lots of green. Athletics are very good there and the people are spirited. As far as getting in... If you have a 3.3 GPA you're automatically accepted. For actual reviews of people that go there, I recommend visiting should give you an idea as to what campus life is all about</p>
<p>When I say a slam dunk for admission, I mean into the University in general. I don't know the specific requirements for acceptance into the Honors College.</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn't equate the academics at the level of a Berkeley, Stanford or other elite universities, however, I do think they are better than average.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help SoCaDad. I'm not really clear on the differences between honors colleges and regular universities. What are some honors colleges in Oregon? Do you know of any honors colleges in California?</p>
<p>The Honors College I'm talking about is a program within the U. of Oregon. You should be able to obtain information on it from the university website.</p>
<p>Im sitting in my house in Eugene putting off writing an Honors college paper and i thought i would take a peek at this. </p>
<p>U of O is a good school, not great but good. People are very friendly and so far this year has been much better than last in terms of rain. The honors college can be a little harder to get into but it is defiantly worth the effort, plus you have to write the same essay for scholarships so it's kinda a two for one deal. The general university is pretty easy to get into and if nothing else would serve as a great back-up school. </p>
<p>So, all in all, come take a look. I you think you like what you see spend the 30 or 40 dollars on the admissions and see what happens. If you don't end up going here so be it, at least it was an option.</p>
<p>University of Washington is generally considered a better school academically and harder to get into. Just a thought. If you are concerned about finances, then try Willamette, Lewis and Clark, Univ of Portland and Seattle University. They may offer you decent money to make it VERY competitive with state school prices. And Univ. of San Diego, Santa Clara University in Cal get my big thumbs up.</p>
<p>Washington is much larger and not especially good for undergrad. It also has many aspects of being a suitcase school due to the large number of local kids attending it. Oregon has more of a campus feel in a college town.</p>
<p>You mentioned finances is of concern. From the U of O website it does not look like CA students are accepted into the WUE program (You must be a permanent resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming. Western</a> Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) | Student Financial Aid and Scholarships) The WUE is the big money saver, but unfortunately is quite restrictive in majors. The Clark Honors College honors.uoregon.edu/ is indeed a wonderful program but does have additional fees. I would also suggest looking at some of the other schools listed. D was accepted to the honors college and got the WUE scholarship but in the end Willamette offered her lots more money. We did love Eugene's atmosphere, though.</p>