<p>Visited Linfield and U of Portland this week. Since they aren't recognized w/ CC dedicated forums I just thought I'd share some information here. First off it's a lovely time to visit. Things are blooming, the skys varied from blue and white white to gray light rain...rainbow weather.</p>
<p>I loved the architecture. The other schools we have visited have all been heavily influenced by Spanish architecture but all the Oregon schools we saw were red brick with white window frames. Very charming, clean and well maintained.</p>
<p>McMinnville is darling. I very much liked the town and while the girls were eating luch with Linfield students, I had some good sushi at a little place off 3rd street, the main historical section of town. Also went to the top of the Mcminamin (sp) hotel Opie but since it was noon I enjoyed the view but no beer :) The people in this little town were open and welcoming as were the students, staff and faculty. There is a lot of support and community building (3 year res. requirement) for freshmen and some really nice housing and recreational options. The campus covers more acreage than Willamette so it feels less populated than Willamette but there are really only only a couple hundred fewer students. I would absolutely be thrilled for either one or both of my Ds to attend Linfield. They both plan to apply early next fall. </p>
<p>So then we get to UP and though the setting is definately urban the immediate surroundings are charming and the campus is gorgeous. We went down into the Pearl District and found the city easy to navigate and friendly. Had to visit Powells books. WOW!!! what a great place to spend a day...or a weekend. DDs and I also fell in love with UP for all of the same reasons we loved Linfield. We were shown around the science building by a wonderful professor and had a really lively tour guid my girls related to. They went to an anatomy class and said the professor was quite interesting. As with Willamette and Linfield the visit sealed UP a place on their application list in the fall. If my kids end up going OOS, I would not worry about their abilities to readily make a new home at any of these three schools.</p>
<p>I want to thank all of the Willamette and Linfield parents and visitors on CC who encouraged us to visit and gave us travel pointers. We had a really great time together. For lodging in Portland I reccommend the Oxford Inn and Suites Jantzen beach. Free breakfast and an evening reception are included in their already reasonable price. It's right off hwy 5 and easy to get to. In Salem we stayed at the Phoenix inn and Suites South. Great rate on a great suite and again, free breakfast and yummy warm cookies in the evening.</p>
<p>Hi History Mom: I hope you posted your visits in the College Visits section. My son was also admitted to Linfield with a $8000 scholarship. We visited there in February for the Competitive Scholarship Day. It was a Sunday so no classes were in session but there were about 300 or more prospective students. The campus is lovely and McMinnville is very charming and we had great meals. Unfortunately my son didn't like the school. He felt it was too remote and small for him (1750 students). We are from San Diego so he knew the weather would be a challenge as well. My husband and I were so impressed with Linfield and the level of attention. I was sad that he didn't connect there but that's why we visit these campuses!</p>
<p>HistoryMom, I just read your visit review of Willamette. What 5 schools did you visit and which other is your daughters' favorite? Given this thread, I'm guessing maybe Linfield. Too bad we didn't know about the school on our trip out to the PNW!</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean about the level of attention the kids seem to get at Linfield. I absolutely loved it and felt that it would be a wonderful place for either of my girls to contiue to grow up.</p>
<p>I have seen your posts re Sonoma State. It is one of our "local" State Unis. My nephew was also accepted there but he hasn't made his decision yet. It is a beautiful school and I will be interested to see how he does there. We send kids to SSU from our local hs every year.</p>
<p>Chi square we went to Willamette :) Linfield :) University of Portland :) :) and Pacific :( I am sorry you didn't know about Linfield either Opie of Mayberry gave us the heads up. It was really a great visit. I think I connected a bit more than the girls but they did like it enough to put it on their "to apply" list.</p>
<p>HistoryMom, so glad you enjoyed the local schools! UP, Willamette and Linfield are very different from one another, but all have great characteristics! Glad you found some time for 23rd and Powells--jewels in Portland!</p>
<p>Hi again HistoryMom: Yes, he is going to attend SSU. His favorite school of all was U. of Oregon but they didn't give him a dime and $32K/year plus travel was too much compared to SSU. He will be there for 2 years in the Hutchins Liberal Arts program and then he may transfer to U. of Oregon or possibly one of the private schools he really wanted to attend but were too much $$. Who knows at this point what will happen. He may love it and decide to stay there!</p>
<p>With D2 on the verge of selecting the college she will attend in the fall, I'm starting to let go and think ahead to D3. ;) She is totally different from her older siblings, so I had both UP and Willamette on her "list"...and, now, we'll have to check out Linfield.</p>
<p>archermom do have her take a look. Linfield is a little more preppy I guess than Willamette and they are very proud of their sports but we were all really impressed with the open friendly demeanor of both places.</p>
<p>So glad to see these schools showcased - they are great.
Of the three, we were most impressed by Linfield. Really friendly students. D sat in on a class, after it 2 girls (totally on their own) showed her all around the bio dept and regretted that their on-campus apartment set-up meant they didn't have lunch on the meal plan and so they couldn't introduce her to friends there. Compared to the low-energy hippy-wannabe vibe at Lewis and Clark, we were pleasantly surprised. "Preppy"? I didn't see it. Yes, they are proud of their sports - makes a great D3 alternative for those who want to participate and a fun venue for those who just want a football team that wins!</p>
<p>What is it about Lewis & Clark? It certainly has its fans, as well it should, but more people come away from it with a mixed impression than I would expect. It has an absolutely gorgeous campus, it's adjacent to the wonderful city of Portland, it has terrific facilities......... and yet, a surprising number of students don't respond to it on visiting.</p>
<p>What do you think it is? When we visited, I did find the admissions officer who led our info session to be quite a bit snootier than L&C has any reason to be, but otherwise it was a pleasant enough visit.</p>
<p>dragonmom...maybe "preppy" isn't the right word. But what I mean is that the girls at Linfield had on more makeup and the guys had wardrobes that stretched beyond t-shirts and jeans. It wasn't lilke I walked into an A and F showroom or anything and I saw plenty of my DDs favorite outfit, Jeans and a Sweatshirt, on the majority of students in both places. I didn't mean anything negative by my characterization and I could be totally wrong in my assessment. It's just something I noticed.</p>
<p>if you go to portland make sure to check out the awesome zine store right next to powell's (by rocco's pizza), hawthorne street (across the bridge), and 23rd. pioneer place mall is also very pretty. portland is awesome!!</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with Lewis & Clark, but it does seem to be plagued with the "B students who smoke too much weed" reputation. Neither of my kids liked it because the students didn't seem to be too motivated, yet I know a lot of people who went there back in the day and they seem to be productive, contributing citizens.</p>
<p>"What do you think it is? When we visited, I did find the admissions officer who led our info session to be quite a bit snootier than L&C has any reason to be, but otherwise it was a pleasant enough visit."</p>
<p>That was our impression of L&C too. It was like they were doing us a "favor" by even talking with us...Beautiful place, "ugly" (personality) admissions officer. Take Linfield's, Pacific's or Willamette's admission's people and my D might have gone for L&C. </p>
<p>The I-5 small private schools in both WA and OR are pretty special. One could find themselves happy at just about any one of them. </p>
<p>Historymom, Opie sends his best. I am a good friend of his. He wants to know if you had the hamburger at the hotel oregon? One of the best inexpensive burgers he's ever had. Glad you enjoyed your visit and hope you'll be a Yamhill or Willamette valley visitor in the near future.</p>
<p>If anyone has questions about Linfield, I graduated from there spring of '07- go ahead and message me. My sister currently attends Willamette. I also worked for admissions for Linfield while I was there and might be involved in an alumni page they're starting up soon. If they have questions about specific extracurriculars or departments, chances are I can connect them with someone. </p>
<p>I would argue against the "preppy" descriptor for linfield. Buying a nice shirt doesn't make you a prep. Having interacted fairly extensively with students from both schools over the past four years, I'd say Linfield has a much more blue-collar student body than Willamette. My roommate for the last two years of college worked on a fishing boat in Alaska over the summer to pay his way, and other friends there were dock workers, lumberjacks, or worked in sawmills or on road construction. The guys, anyway. My sister can't say the same about her friends.</p>
<p>Anyway, must defend my school's honor. And then sleep. Let me know if you guys need some help making the decision on schools.</p>
<p>Did not get the burger Barney...Had a dragon roll instead but I too hope I can get a bigger taste of McMinnville including the beer at the top of the Mc Minamin (sp) Hotel. I loved that town!</p>
<p>Son of Opie Ack! I am so sorry I used the word preppy. Apparently it has connotations I was previously unaware of. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about our visit and Linfield.</p>
<p>If you are interested in study abroad, Linfield has some pretty good incentives:
At Linfield College students will be challenged to look beyond their hometown and country to understand world issues and appreciate the differences that make all cultures and individuals unique. We encourage all of our students to study abroad at least once before they graduate. As part of a Linfield education, students have the opportunity to participate in exciting international study abroad programs as early as the sophomore year. Linfield Students can choose from three different study abroad options. For all eligible students, Linfield College will pay the round-trip airfare from the Portland International Airport for the student's first off-campus study. Please refer to page 28 in the Linfield College Course Catalog.*</p>
<p>*For students entering in fall of 2002 or after, Linfield pays the cost of round-trip air transportation from the Portland International Airport to one destination for one trip-January Term or study abroad - for each student who meets program requirements. Students who have already taken one trip at college expense must pay airfare for subsequent trips unless a second trip is certified by the Registrar as necessary for completing a major or minor with a required study-abroad component. Students who are so certified are entitled to a second round-trip airfare at college expense. Study</a> Abroad Information for Current Students</p>