<p>Is there a family out there who has had experience with this school - positive or negative? My S is in the midst of decision - aren't they all!!! - and the schools are very disparate - big name-brand private U., small well-regarded LAC, and PLU - we are interested in opinions of academic rigor and placement in grad school. He likes the "feel" of the school, but it definitely has way less 'bling'.
Any knowledge to share?</p>
<p>I'm just going to put this out there
I have quite a few friends that go to PLU. It is a "nice" school, but is not really up there academically. Also, the tacoma area has some nice places, but PLU is too far away for downtown to be convenient unless you have a car. You are really pretty stuck on campus and there isn't a whole lot to do. Overall, not a well known academic school, and probably not the best place for students interested in a nice grad school.</p>
<p>My one friend was really excited to go there, and then found out it wasn't all it was cracke up to be.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, 2much</p>
<p>Are there any others out there with experience????</p>
<p>Well regarded here (we are very close). Especially good in the health sciences. Many of the students are "pre-professional" - nursing, business, education, etc., which would make it feel very different from most LACs. Lots of new and remodeled dorms. The music department (with which we have had lots of dealings) is really excellent. </p>
<p>Students tend to be (for the Pacfic Northwest) thoughtfully more conservative than most, and, on the whole, less academically focused. Because of the low relative cost, they attract fewer high income students. Community service is BIG.</p>
<p>It's a good school. It was on our radar for both kids. Very friendly atmosphere, religous but not religous. Example another local private has manditory "prayer groups" that meet weekly. They don't care which group you join, but you "have to" join. PlU has a daily break at 10:30 or something for prayer if you want, or smokes if you don't. You do what you want during that time and nobody cares. Which we thought was a good thing. It's not so much a party type school. Off campus yes, on not so much.</p>
<p>They have a new science building that's impressive. They are an unusual group. They have a different sports history than most schools. Frosty Westerling was their historic coach in football and he ran the team in ways we always wished they were. He left solid marks on their programs. They have a reputation as classy kids on and off the field. </p>
<p>My son's LAX team lost to PLU in the regionals a few years back and one of the most telling comments about PLU was from a Linfield player after PLU beat them to advance. "you know I want to hate those guys for beating us, but jeese, they're such good guys." That should tell you a little bit about the place. </p>
<p>As mini said a bit more conservative place, but not the inyour face conservatives. A be and let be place.</p>
<p>My good friend's daughter graduated from there about 5 years ago. Her family is not religious at all, actually very liberal. She enjoyed her college years and is successful in the advertising world. She was given scholarship money to attend. Hope that gives a little insight.</p>
<p>My son and I visited this school. Students seemed friendly, but homogeneous. The surrounding neighborhood, however, didn't seem great. My son was disappointed in some of the buildings and did not like a food (a deal breaker for him). He did not apply.</p>
<p>I just got accepted into PLU with an academic scholarship. They were the first college to get back to me. I’m currently researching it a bit more. I want to major in History and Sociology. How are their departments in those fields?</p>
<p>The Seattle/Tacoma area’s AMAZING public radio station, KPLU, is located at PLU. It’s an NPR and Jazz station, I grew up listening to it every single day.</p>
<p>Bump–Anyone? This is the only college visit we’ve made happen so far (last October actually!) and I’ve found that it seems more difficult to find personal stories or info about PLU than many other Pacific Northwest colleges.</p>