<p>A good friend’s daughter started at UPS this year and is very happy there. As others have said, the campus is beautiful. Princeton Review’s book of 373 best colleges gives it a very good academic rating. Our friend’s child is quite bright and is finding the work challenging and interesting. Her parent is a faculty member at PLU. Clearly, they felt highly about UPS.
We know another student who went to Lewis and Clark, did not like it, and transferred. As one poster said above, people tend to have strong feelings one way or another about this school. Unfortunately, it might not be clear how you feel until you have been there for a while. Many do study abroad, so friends might be there one semester, and gone the next.</p>
<p>As a newcomer to this site, thanks to all of you who have been so helpful. I’m still looking for feedback on Linfield if anyone can share.</p>
<p>Is it too late to apply to Whitworth University? Their top merit package makes them about $13,000 cheaper than UPS. </p>
<p>Spokane offers tons of outdoor experiences— hundreds of miles of bike trails, about 40 lakes, and 5 different ski mountains. Our weather is quite different from Seattle and Portland, however!</p>
<p>OP, I have lived a stones throw from Lewis & Clark, and have had many friends’ kids go to UPS and Linfield. All have loved their respective colleges, and S3 has a few friends planninf to attend PLU next year (really nice boys, fyi). I couldn’t distinguish them for you other than to say Lewis & Clark definitely has the advantage of being in the city, so it has a beautiful neighborhood campus very close to all the Portland amenities. PLU and UPS are close to one another, but have different “feels” from one another–UPS a little preppier, I guess–greek system, better athletics. Both 30-60 minutes to Seattle. Academically, PLU and Linfield aren’t as hard to get into as the other two, but I also think the student population is very cohesive and friendly. Linfield is definitely more in the middle-of-nowhere side of things of the four, though its about a 45-60 minute drive to Portland. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the choices. The Pacific NW vibe is very laid back and friendly. Outdoor opportunities abound. Probably just depends what she likes to do with her spare time and how each campus feels to her.</p>
<p>Thank you, SJTH. We’ll be sure to keep Linfield and PLU on our list. We’re visiting the other side of the state this spring, seeing Gonzaga and Whitworth. Montana and Montana State are a short drive from Spokane, and should make good safeties.</p>
<p>We know quite a few families who were very happy with their Whitworth experiences, and the merit aid is definitely 5 figures.</p>
<p>We are in the midst of the tours. UPS was beautiful. Brand new buildings look like they have been there forever and older buildings are beautifully restored. The people were all very welcoming and friendly. The tour guide was very enthuiastic (but not too much) and well informed. And the admissions counselor was very honest in his responses, especially when it came to comparing UPS with other schools…he was honest talking about where UPS fell short (not many places). The surrounding area is residential, but within a half mile is the Proctor District, a great little shopping and dining area. I strongly recommend the Europa Bistro and its homemade pasta and breads where we had a wonderful lunch. </p>
<p>It’s become obvious to us through further research that the four schools are in two categories. UPS and Lewis & Clark on the top and Linfield and PLU a notch (or two) below. UPS and L&C are national schools (L&C even more so) while the others are more regional. That might not be the most important factor, but it is worth considering.</p>
<p>Had a great experience at L&C. Admitted Students Day was very informative and well organized. Had good meetings with Admissions and Financial Aid. The campus is beautiful. Can’t say that enough. The dorms are separated from the academic buildings by a ravine that almost looks like a rain forest crossed by two pedestrian bridges. The campus is small, but the trees and different levels make it seem bigger. Very diverse student body, and daughter was happy that it wasn’t “too hippie”.</p>
<p>Dropped off daughter at Linfield this afternoon for an overnight (she also did an overnight at L&C) a few hours ago. We went on a tour of the athletic facilities which were very nice. Tomorow is Admitted Students Day and the agenda is very impressive for both students and parents. </p>
<p>One thing that daughter has already determined is that she is fully committed to choosing one of these schools and coming to the Northwest. The schools in Ohio and New York are officially out.</p>
<p>Good for her for trying a new adventure!!! Our DD picked the other coast for that reason, and couldn’t be happier! I think it is a sign of an adventurous spirit, and has been a wonderful growth experience for our family. Yes, the airfare is rough - yes - I do get comments like “HOW could you send her so far away?” My answer is the same “She considered many options, and is most excited about this one - why would I want to tell her NO when she wants to expand and grow?” Responses are…interesting. I think there is a certain number of people who want to think that keeping their kids close is a sign of a close family. Just doesn’t fly for me.</p>
<p>We’ve had beautiful weather the past few days - keep in mind that the ravine will look more than “almost” like a rain forrest most of the school year. My D (Washington Native) decided that L & C was too enclosed by the trees knowing that it would be even darker and damper feeling most of the time. However, that access to Portland could be fun - it is a great city to walk around and do things downtown.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update, libcam. I can’t wait to hear about Linfield. We just returned from our trip to see Whitworth, Gonzaga, Montana, and Montana State (eastern Washington and western Montana). My son loved the mountains. Montana and Gonzaga are still on the list. Montana State was interesting. We did not care for Whitworth. A sign on the door of the workout room read, “No sleeveless shirts or tank tops allowed”.</p>
<p>We’re in a similar situation to OP with our Virginia daughter - but we’re looking at two different NW schools - Pacific University of Oregon and Seattle University. Any thoughts, especially as compared to the schools already mentioned? She loves urban areas, and Seattle appeals to her - but she’s never actually been to the NW. I’m worried it will be too dreary.</p>
<p>mamaduck:
I have lots to say about both, but don’t have time to give it justice right now. I will be back later today and let you know.</p>
<p>mamaduck:
If your daughter loves urban areas she might be happier in Seattle than stuck out in Forest Grove–a small town that is a 45 minute drive from Portland.</p>
<p>Portland is a very nice urban area to explore, and I’m a transplant to the NW who will say our weather really isn’t THAT dreary… Even in the midst of the winter you’re rarely stuck inside because the climate is mild and there are frequent sun breaks. Because I have a car I don’t think of Forest Grove as that remote… we live just west of Portland and get around the metro area pretty easily, but L&C is closer in.</p>
<p>Whitman, as far as I know, doesn’t do merit aid - just needs based. UPS and Willamette do a lot of merit aid. Good luck with your decisions.</p>
<p>We looked at Pacific university with younger D. I can’t really say she gave it a fair shot. She was coming from an inner city school in Seattle& she thought it was much too “small town”.
But I liked it, and as her BF that she met in her college town was attending Pacific, she did actually end up spending time there. ;)</p>
<p>We also looked at Seattle U with oldest. I wanted to tour the chapel & she humored me.
[CHS</a> Schemata: Capitol Hill’s – and, therefore, Seattle’s – best building | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle](<a href=“http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/07/17/chs-schemata-capitol-hills-and-therefore-seattles-best-building]CHS”>http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/07/17/chs-schemata-capitol-hills-and-therefore-seattles-best-building)
I knew she wouldn’t apply, since it was too close to her high school, but we liked the size & knew they had some good programs.</p>
<p>mamaduck:</p>
<p>My D applied to Pacific as a safety. She went to the scholarship competition day in February so had a chance to spend some time and meet students, etc. Here’s our evaluation:</p>
<p>Pro:
great merit aid (she was awarded 27k plus another 3k for IB diploma)
supposed sophomore standing for IB diploma
graduate health professions programs would give opportunities to be exposed to possible career paths and shadowing
close to OHSU for possible shadowing
small classes
surrounding area is pretty
administrators were nice
you could be the star student - big fish in little pond
supposed Dean’s reading group or something for IB students</p>
<p>Con:
no grant money - ended up being more expensive than better options
Forest Grove itself is not that great or “cute” - close to Portland, but not that close w/o a car
campus didn’t have the nice facilities that she’d seen other places - some kind of depressing
not much to the student center - bio prof was engaging but classroom was bad
she didn’t feel simpatico with the current students who she met during dorm tours etc.
didn’t feel like the student body was as intellectual as she wanted - the 2 part exam was easy and she came away from the day feeling like if this group of students were the best and brightest who were the other 90%?
The advisor’s couldn’t say much about the IB reading group and said that there were actually fewer IB students there than at D’s high school, so not a big cohort
It didn’t seem worth the travel or the money unless you are attracted to a very specific program</p>
<hr>
<p>Seattle U is in a hopping, vibrant location on capitol hill and just a few blocks from the hospitals in Seattle. It has very well regarded programs. It is a Jesuit school and is active in civic discussions about social justice etc. Strong nursing program. Sports have recently jumped to D1 so lots of basketball buzz. There is so much to do in that area, that I wouldn’t think it would be dreary. My D didn’t want urban so didn’t look at Seattle U but we know strong student who are going there.</p>
<p>Whitman College does have merit aid.</p>
<p>[Whitman</a> Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/content/financial_aid/new-and-prospective-students/facts/scholarships-and-grants/whitman-scholarships]Whitman”>http://www.whitman.edu/content/financial_aid/new-and-prospective-students/facts/scholarships-and-grants/whitman-scholarships)</p>
<p>As Saint Fan mentioned, Pacific is in Forest Grove, a sleepy small town. I happen to think it’s cute, but if your child doesn’t absolutely love it, I’d move on. It’s not for everyone and Seattle is a lot more vibrant than Forest Grove.</p>
<p>She is much more interested in Seattle than Pacific - Pacific would be a safety, with the major she wants, and an excellent chance of meeting our financial needs. Seattle fits her better, but is more expensive. She will certainly apply, but she won’t be able to visit unless it becomes a strong possibility and is financially feasible. At least by then it would be the “dreary” months, not the gorgeous summer/fall. Her top choice is in Chicago - not exactly sunny skies through winter. Thanks for all the feedback - it clarifies things a lot.</p>
<p>In terms of money - Pacific is high merit aid and need aid is all loans it could be a good financial safety if you are full pay but . . . with all the merit there was still more uncovered than it seemed to be worth to D. It was more expensive than the in-state safety.</p>