Hello! I am currently looking at three different universities–University of Puget Sound, Lewis and Clark College, and Willamette University–to study biology (and Japanese) at for my undergraduate degree. I’m leaning more toward University of Puget Sound and Lewis and Clark College, but don’t know anybody who goes to either that are interested in science. I would like to hear more opinions about each biology program, and the schools in general. I have visited both campuses.
My current GPA is somewhere between a 3.94 and 3.97. I received a 4.0 this semester, but my cumulative GPA has not been updated yet online. My super score for the SAT was 1980, with a 650 in math, 630 in reading, and a 700 in writing.
Any information helps!
Just comparing UPS to Lewis & Clark, it looks to me like UPS is the better fit. They have beautiful science facilities, and far more Bio/Biochem majors than L&C (61 vs 39). But the real differentiator is the foreign languages. They’re a pretty big deal at UPS and apparently not at L&C. UPS had 7 Japanese majors last year, while L&C had 7 foreign language majors total. Plus, UPS has a really cool program where students tour all over the Pacific Rim for a year that sounds like something you might enjoy.
UPS’s Pacific Rim program is definitely way cool.
However, it only takes place certain years and requires a certain class standing and/or prerequisites. (Don’t remember the details but I actually went so far as to email the key person to confirm, because it would have been something my D would have loved)
Net result: if you enter UPS as a freshman in 2016, you can’t participate unless you stay 5 years, or take a gap year and start freshman year in 2017.
UPS has minuscule % of international students and black students, if those types of diversity and inclusion are important to you.
Not clear whether the OP is graduating this year or next, but that’s good intel, @alooknac. I’m a bit bummed, because my son would be entering in 2016 (if he picks UPS), and I think he would have liked it, too.