NW Oregon Visit Report

<p>well, sigh, my S and I went to the Linfield open house yesterday. Our misfortune that our tour guide was not good, didn't show us anything to speak of and turned S off to the school. He really liked the Business Professor and the sound of their program. Liked the Director of Admissions and the International Admissions gentleman who we ate lunch with but still...came away feeling that it was just "OK" but not excited. I see this school as a good school, he would get a good education and have great internships and future employment opps. I am going to write to the Admin. Dir. and give feedback and S has agreed to visit again, maybe next fall. The tour gal did things like-while walking away from the student center-which she did not show us-talked about the game room and such (S whispered that he would have like to have SEEN it), walked us into the hall of the gym and told us about the workout room, pool etc. When I asked if we could SEE it she said no (!). There were only 10 in our group. So-did not see the new theater, almost did not see the library (she did the same-stood just inside the door and told us about the chairs in the back and private study room) until she saw a large group of 25 in another tour actually walking around. Did not see a dorm room. Other group came out of a dorm but she couldn't figure out how to get in. Sigh. So used up a day of taking S out of school and came away with dissappointment. He did like some things-the campus and town. We ate lunch and it was not very good and the selections dissappointing and portions just huge but not in a good way. I am wondering if going on these tours is the best idea after all. We want to make a trip to see SCU,SFU and UOP and the best time is Memorial Day weekend but there will be no tours (I have called) and maybe few buildings open-? but at least he will not have a tour guide, who may or may not be inspiring, to influence him. This was only our second tour and so he does need to learn not to let this influence too much. I do know that next time, if is not going well, we will just drop out right away and do our own-though I like the information, myself.</p>

<p>I'm so sorry you got a dud. I can tell you that when we were there the student center was the scene of photo exposition featuring the work of students who had studied abroad. The coffee shop was cute, the people friendly...sorry D's got OJ and I got a water so I don't know how good the food is. The library was big and open. There is a lecture series that the campus hosts which is held in the library. They have a library exchange with other schools in the area and our tour guide said that he had never not been able to secure a title or article he needed. There are lots of housing options and we did visit a freshman dorm. Old building w/ lots of charm room not huge but quaint. I think we were in the all female dorm so that's irrelevent for your son but there are many many options you S may want to check out on line. If you go again, maybe you can request Wesley. He was our uber involved extremely enthusiastic guide. DDs liked him and they tend to be hard on fakey people. Anyway good luck w/ the rest of your tours. Let me know if you have Northern California questions.</p>

<p>New to this party, but since Whitman is on the radar, I just want to report that Whitman actually sent the nicest letter after S declined their offer of admission. Truly a class act! I hated to have him say "no" but you can't do everything. </p>

<p>Also, I was at a dinner last night, catching up on where kids are going to college. 2 boys, both solid athletes and good students, chose UPS - out of a long list of other good schools. Another chose Gonzaga; his parent said the president of the university gave an 80-minute talk at the admit weekend that really made you want to pay extra $ for the education. I thought that was a good endorsement.</p>

<p>Whitman seems like a cool place. Gonzaga is as well.</p>

<p>Well it's a new day and our S1 has decided not to go to Sonoma State and go to U. of Oregon (I previously posted on this thread). Though it's $32K vs $20K he feels he'll get a much richer college experience and twice the number of majors offered. We all loved the beauty of the campus and it's great to have a college town right out your back door or a short bus ride away. GO DUCKS! ;-)</p>

<p>welcome to Oregon!!</p>

<p>SDiegoMom I think he'll enjoy the challenges and social atmosphere at U of O. Congratulations! If he ever catches a softball game there is a pitcher he should say hello to. She's a former student.</p>

<p>I think Willamette is a great school.</p>

<p>Thank you for the nice welcome. We are very excited about it. I didn't understand your post history mom about the softball game. A former student can play on the team??</p>

<p>Sorry...I am a teacher and one of my former students pitches for the Ducks.</p>

<p>Ok. That makes sense now. Thank you!</p>