<p>dragonmom – at this point her ‘west of the mountains rule’ is probably the strongest one as well as the general feel of the college. Perhaps our search will expand to the east eventually…we shall see! In previous years our family has really enjoyed xctry skiing in Eastern WA but that is the extent of her interest in winter sports.</p>
<p>For sure check into staying in Portland itself, try Hotel Monaco or Vintage Plaza,Northrup Station, Even Holiday Inn Express for locations near great restaurants and shopping.
Two Seattle nieces loved going to UP. Its about a 5 minute drive to downtown, dorms overlook a huge park, so it looks like you are in the middle of the forest, but you are right near the city. Great education to be had there, ladies soccer is tops, so all the kids attend the games much like football games at bigger schools. If my Portland daughter hadn’t grown up here, I would have sent her in a minute.
Willamette is more intellectual, beautiful campus…Salem isn’t so great, but just 45 minutes from Ptown. Lewis and Clark is in a very high-end wooded neighborhood, in a very suburban area. Also just minutes from downtown. Beautiful setting, lots of out of state kids.
Portland State is more of a glorified Community College, little campus life. Killer location though. Reed, is only for certain kinds of kids.very quirky.
Linfield is fun for athletes, good for kids with not top notch grades and scores.Mcminville has some nice restaurants and wineries.
If you are religious, George Fox is in a cute little town, and has a good reputation.
Portland would be a ball for college kids…lots of funky neighborhoods with cheap restaurants,vintage clothing, etc. Hawthorne Boulevard is worth a look. Getting around very easy downtown as the blocks are short. Great local music, theater, and arts.
For sure, go to Voodoo…short walk from Powells, Escape from NY Pizza for awesome slices on 21rst…Kenny and Zukes across from Powells for incredible NY deli style sandwiches.Enjoy the visit…</p>
<p>Hi all!!! My S and I are headed out for a PNW college tour next week. So excited to see this post. We live in San Diego. My S is a sophmore so this is our first college tour trip. He DOES NOT want to go to school anywhere in CA so we haven’t visited any of them, although we have many so close to home:_((. </p>
<p>Here is our plan… would love to get any advice from fellow travelers on restaurants or any tips that worked or didn’t work for you.</p>
<p>Flying to Portland Thursday night. Waking up and heading over to Reed college. Then driving to University of Oregon for an afternoon open house ( will tour honors college). Saturday morning, head over to Lewis and Clark and then drive to Willamette. Sunday morning drive to Walla Walla, see some of the town and then wake up Monday morning to go to Whitman. Drive to Seattle to fly home. My parents live in Seattle, so have already seen UPS and UW. I’m excited and will post all about our visits and opinions.</p>
<p>ugh lots of driving 5boys-but at least you are staying out of the Seattle area.
I have never actually been to Walla Walla,but this is a great time of year to visit Whitman.</p>
<p>The schools have similar stats for their student bodies but feel very different- so it’s good to get to visit- especially if you can do so when students are around.</p>
<p>My younger D didn’t really want to visit schools as a sophomore although she had been taking the train from Seattle ( with myself or friends) to visit her sister at Reed since she was 11.</p>
<p>It was enough of a pain to get her to look as a jr. ( because she wanted something like USC or Stanford- although for her transcript and our pocketbook that would have been a stretch 
)</p>
<p>What time is the U of Oregon open house? There is construction on I-5 just north of the downtown/university area. You might want to check traffic/construction warnings right before you head down.</p>
<p>[Northwest</a> Region- Region 2 I-5 Willamette River Bridge (Eugene/Springfield)](<a href=“Oregon Department of Transportation : Region 2 Northwest Oregon : Regions : State of Oregon”>Oregon Department of Transportation : Region 2 Northwest Oregon : Regions : State of Oregon)</p>
<p>Sounds like a fun trip, even if it is a lot of driving.</p>
<p>dragonmom- thanks for the info about the traffic around UO. We will for sure check that out before we go. As for the traffic… we live in CA, therefore driving is sort of second nature to us… I already drive about 100-200 miles a day. My kids school is about 1 hour away from where we live. So the driving up North seems minimal.</p>
<p>It was a little hard to get my Sophmore S interested in looking at colleges this early. I just reminded him that next year will be tough and to be going all of the country in 1 year would be challenging with his schedule. This way we already have one part of the country covered. I think that he will get a good idea of what he wants by visiting this range of schools. We threw in UO at the last minute because although he says he wants a small LAC, We thought he should take a look at a bigger university before completely ruling it out. UO would also be pretty much a slam dunk for him and could have great merit aid. Info that is always close in my mind. I think he will like Whitman the best, but that is going to be the most challenging admission wise for him. I’ve heard that they really like high GPA’s and he is at best a 3.4 or so… although he is at a top 50 prep school. It should be an interesting trip… we’ll see how long all of these info sessions and tours will keep his attention… he is a 10th grade boy:-))</p>
<p>5boys we are just the opposite of you as far as driving, one of my not so favorite things if it’s over 2.5 hours or so-- I admire your everyday mileage there!</p>
<p>Looking forward to your views/trip report about UO, we were thinking about that too but prob the $ would not work for us, may apply and see what happens.
We’ll be looking at UW and WWU here in WA state to get a feel for ‘the big U’ mood and instate tuition. And privates also but that will be another thread!</p>
<p>Lucymom thanks for all the info.
THANKS for letting us know that Voodoo is close to Powell’s. 
Will definitely need major sugar rush for the college tours and bookstore cruising!
Hmm I’ve not heard that about Linfield (more athletic and easy to get in?)…it may end up being one of her top choices just from what we’ve heard from friends about quality of programs/professors and good financial aid etc. However I am hearing most of these LAC’s that are well known for financial aid are becoming harder and harder to get into with this economy.</p>
<p>It’s really nice to see more Pacific Northwest info on here, can get kind of lonely sometime looking for more about the schools in this area on CC!</p>
<p>collegemaw & 5boys: I have enjoyed reading this as I visited all these schools 4-5 years ago with my daughter who is now a senior at Lewis & Clark. Out of all the schools L&C was the best fit for her. (5boys: keep in mind L&C is on spring break until Mar 29 so the campus will be dead Sat Mar 27. Too bad as seeing the student body is a crucial part of a visit). Beautiful campus, student body that was a fit for her and the best part is that it’s only 10 min from downtown Portland. They run a free shuttle for students to and from the city and on the weekends it runs till about 2:00am. She lives off campus (has for the last 2 years) and loves that as well. Was in a house in the Hawthorne district for a while which is a great area for young people with lots of cafe’s and cool shops.</p>
<p>The main draw of L&C was that it is a beautiful, secluded campus but so close to Portland. Portland is a fantastic city and great for young people. Most of her friends want to stay in the area after graduation as the area has much to offer. Her impressions on the other schools: (just HER impressions)
Willamette, Too far from Portland, Salem not very exciting, good school but just didn’t feel like a fit to her.
Linfield, Too far from Portland, in a small, quaint town very similar to her home town which she was really ready to escape. Student body seemed to lack diversity and seemed too conservative for her. She was offered merit aid of about $9000 a year.
U of O. Too far from Portland, too big (as she knew all along she wanted a smaller school) I think she would have been happy there as it is big enough for some diversity but not overwhelmingly big. Did not apply.
Pacific University. Too far from Portland, too small and it felt really small, once again located in a sleepy little town and she was eager to get away from small town life. She was offered about $9000 here as well.
U of Portland. Felt too religious to her. It really isn’t but that was her impression. Just didn’t feel like a fit. Was offered about $9000 here.
We also visited U of Puget Sound, Seattle University, and in CA St. Mary’s, Santa Clara and some So. Ca. schools.</p>
<p>In the end L&C was the only school she got into that did not offer her merit aid. But it was so clearly her first choice and such a good fit we went with it. I think it’s a great school as all of these are but it is all about fit. She had the opportunity to re-visit and spend the night at all of these schools once she was admitted which made the decision even easier. One big plus is being close to an international airport. The campus runs shuttle s to and from the airport and the start and end of all breaks. And driving on her own or with a friend she is only 20 min from airport. All these other schools are 1 hour to 2 hours from the airport (except U of Portland).Good luck on your visits and the rest of your college searches!</p>
<p>I agree it is nice to have this thread on PNW schools! DD1 and DD2 are both very happy campers at the Clark Honors College at University of Oregon. But, DD3 is a high school junior and does not want the big school experience so we will be looking for something different for her. U of Portland, Linfield, Willamette and Lewis & Clark are all on her list. We are in the early stages of planning the campus visits and these are not schools her sisters were interested in, so I look forward to hearing your impressions of these schools. </p>
<p>We did visit Whitman several years ago for DD#1. The campus is beautiful as is the tiny town of Walla Walla. However, it is very isolated – long, long drive to Portland. That was probably enough to take it off her list. Moreover, DD#1 had an unpleasant interview. The admissions person was distant and arrogant – kinda just going through the motions. This left the daughter convinced that Whitman was not the right place for her. </p>
<p>By the way, I highly recommend using priceline for Portland hotels. All of the downtown 4 star hotels are great and it is easy to get a room for less than half the best available rate.</p>
<p>Salem * is the * capitol, so if you are interested in that side of things- that could be a plus- also since Oregon is a very red/blue state, Willamette ( from what I have heard), is more middle of the road , than say, * Reed* 
A friend who an accomplished violinist, liked merit aid/program at Willamette.</p>
<p>Older D visited U of O, with her high school class, we know a few profs ( in biology and architecture) whom raved about their depts, however I didn’t visit, and while D was accepted ( and was strongly encouraged to apply for merit scholarships as well- I had the impression that the application was just a formality), she didn’t even want to visit with me. :(</p>
<p>Don’t forget about
[WICHE</a> - Student Exchange Programs](<a href=“http://wue.wiche.edu/]WICHE”>http://wue.wiche.edu/)
</p>
<p>Younger D also applied to Humboldt- I have spoken to their adcoms when they tour and it sounds like a great school/albeit $$$$ issues as is not uncommon anyplace, but especially in CA. They even have their own boat for marine bio and in great location- but she decided too far away from what she considers a city.</p>
<p>Speaking of, I like Vancouver B.C. and know a few students who are happy in schools there.
but big
[Welcome</a> to The University of British Columbia - UBC.ca](<a href=“http://www.ubc.ca/]Welcome”>http://www.ubc.ca/)
University of Victoria is smaller.</p>
<p>D2 also seems pretty happy at Western ( although for those from northern Wa, that may be too close to home). It wasn’t her first choice- she wanted to attend Occidental & I was afraid that Bellingham would be too homogeneous for someone who had attended an inner city urban school, but the campus is beautiful and the school is large enough for there to be a good selection of classes and activities, but not 1/2 as big as the UW.</p>
<p>With the economy/students deciding to save * some money* for grad school, and possibly the access to Mt. Baker/Whistler?, the student body is quite a bit stronger than when my peers attended ( when it was often students who didn’t want to attend WSU/UW.)</p>
<p>EK4: my DD#2 loved Western Washington! She received the WUE scholarship, so it was a very tough decision for her between that school and U of Oregon Honors, where she also received a nice scholarship. We sooo enjoyed our visit to Bellingham and what a gorgeous, friendly campus. Western has an increasingly strong academic reputation, too. Regarding the WUE scholarship, I could be wrong, but I don’t think residents of California are eligible for the WUE at Western Washingon. It does work for residents of some of the other states (like Oregon, where we live).</p>
<p>WOW I did not know about the /WICHEWUE!! Need to look into that for sure.
But our trip is all planned out so UO is out for this one.</p>
<p>Inquiring–L & C sounds great but we just can’t look at any schools that are known for NO/little financial aid. Good to hear your impressions at that time of the others.</p>
<p>yes, Western is ‘too close’ but she knows it’s a possibility with $needs etc.</p>
<p>Im2- We are actually set to arrive in Portland on the 1st of April so I’m glad that students will be back full swing. I don’t think I would plan a visit to a school if the students weren’t there. I too think that getting a feel of the student body is very important. We will also try to head to the cafeteria… if only for a snack, to get a feel for the food and students at all schools we visit. Also, I agree wit you about the hassle of getting in and out of Walla Walla, the portland schools would be WAY more accessible.</p>
<p>We are staying at The Heathman in Portland and Marcus Whitman in Walla Walla… my parents made all the reservations and they got college tour discounts at both of them. I know for sure we will hit Powell’s. My S is a book freak… you should see his room, wall to wall books. I’m happy that Voodoo’s os close by because I have heard from so many people to not miss it.</p>
<p>5boys: My S went to Whitman on a tour when he was in 10th grade as well. I asked them and they said it was ok. I like the fact he sat in on a class and went to lunch with a student guide. They also took my D to lunch as well, and she was in 8th! I hope they still offer that on their tours now. He was accepted for the Spring of 2010 there, but chose UCB instead. If he had been accepted in the fall, well who knows.</p>
<p>Collegemaw: You are right about the colleges with merit aid., I am hoping some of these colleges stay off the radar at least for this year so I can get my D in one.</p>
<p>D1 and I are getting excited about heading to Oregon this Sunday!</p>
<p>5boys–we’ll be heading out of Oregon as you’re coming in…
D1 is also quite the ‘book freak’…as I said earlier she’s worked for several years at a bookstore and still can’t get enough of bookstores or libraries. We have a modest home so with the hundreds of books it can look rather interesting around here :0
Powell’s will be our big ‘fun’ thing to kick off the trip!</p>
<p>Any last minute advice/hints? We’ll check the thread Sat and Sun. Thanks so much to everyone.</p>
<p>5 boys – It looks like you’ll be doing some back tracking with this schedule:</p>
<p>“Flying to Portland Thursday night. Waking up and heading over to Reed college. Then driving to University of Oregon for an afternoon open house. Saturday morning, head over to Lewis and Clark and then drive to Willamette. Sunday morning drive to Walla Walla, see some of the town and then wake up Monday morning to go to Whitman. Drive to Seattle to fly home.”</p>
<p>Willamette is in Salem, which you will pass by on the way to and from Eugene (UofO). Hopefully you will stop and see Willamette on the way back from Eugene before you go to Lewis & Clark.</p>
<p>Road food: About a mile from Reed on the same street is Otto’s sausage kitchen,
4138 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard. They cook excellent hot dogs and sausage during the day.<br>
On Hwy 47 if you pass through the small town of Carlton, Honest Chocolates is worthy of a stop. Dark chocolate with sea salt is very good. 217 West Main Street.</p>
<p>^Definitely check out Willamette. The school is very generous with merit aid, the students and staff are incredibly friendly, and it’s a pretty campus with excellent facilities. Applications to Willamette have risen more than 30% this year.</p>
<p>Absolutely on the WU visit. It was my first choice for my D @ this time last year as it offered an environment I felt would be a great fit as well as an FA package that had me singing.</p>
<p>Back last night from our trip. Will try to post some ‘campus vibe’ reports, I was not feeling well the first few days of the trip so did not make the best notes but overall a VERY worthwhile trip.</p>
<p>Agree with CalAlum about WU, WU and Linfield were her favorites.</p>