Prospective OOS Students- From where do you fare?

<p>I'm curious about the number of OOS and International applicants there are here who are serious about applying and attending UW. If you're OOS/Int'l, post what state/country you're applying from.</p>

<p>I'm from Ohio and I'm considering UW against OSU at the moment!</p>

<p>It's an excruciatingly difficult decision. I'm in Honors at OSU with a full-tuition scholarship from NM finalist so OSU is very appealing for that reason (and the honors dorms are fabulous!). At the same time, I want to leave Ohio. Really, really badly. Enter: Seattle. But there's a catch...!</p>

<p>I made a HUGE mistake of not applying to Honors at UW. The scholarship possibilities could have been a crucial element here. But actually, my entire UW application was somewhat of a last minute decision--just in case I fell out of love with Southern California (where most of my other applications went) which, unfortunately, I recently did. As a result my interest in UW has gone from being an afterthought to a serious consideration (after my acceptance). And I'm forever kicking myself for skipping out on the Honors app!</p>

<p>Can anyone shine some light on the positives of this otherwise very dark situation? I know UW has the late application to Honors in Spring quarter, but as far as financial aid goes... is there any hope? I would love, love, love to go to UW. Would choosing not-Honors/minimal financial aid at UW be a smart choice over Honors/full tuition at OSU?</p>

<p>Hm. Maybe it's a sign to ease back on the rigorous academic load for once?! Right...</p>

<p>(I'm sorry, Sherwelthlangley, I kind of derailed.)</p>

<p>UW is my first choice (unfortunately I probably have to wait until the April deadline for notification) and I am from CO.</p>

<p>Curious J</p>

<p>Couple questions for you--
What do you mean by "scholarship possibilities could have been a crucial element here?" Are you referring to merit or financial?</p>

<p>Maybe I am missing something, but it sounds like you are tying the Honors program to substantial $$$ aid? Could you clarify?</p>

<p>If you end up at the UW-even without honors, you will look back and laugh at your "dark situation" comment someday. IMO, basing your decision to attend the UDub should have little to do with your Honors status there. Not sure where all you kids have gotten so nutty over these state school honors programs and why you think you need them to be challenged, but I disagree with that premise. We are from Ca. We've had two kids go to UW (CS and business). Neither applied to honors. Both are...smart. Both had phenomenal experiences, loads of challenge and opportunity, extended research projects (including travel to Europe for project presentations), internships, etc. Motivated kids easily find ways to challenge themselves in a myriad of ways at the UW (and other big schools)---without needing "special" classes--believe me. And learning is MORE than classroom work. Exposing yourself to a different "culture" (west coast vs midwest), new and diverse people in a different part of the country is a learning experience in itself. That's what you should be thinking about--is it a fit? The academics will be there....don't worry.</p>

<p>Only you can decide if in-state/full-tuition trumps OOS tuition/different living experience. Don't make the decision on "honors" though--you will find a way to be plenty challenged at the UW if you attend. It is a wonderful place.</p>

<p>caseyatbat</p>

<p>Thank you. So much. I'm actually looking back on my little panic post and laughing now --a little sooner than expected. Honestly, I am mainly concerned about the price of UW versus staying in Ohio, which as you said, is ultimately up to me. The Honors incentive at OSU compared to not one there really shouldn't affect my decision, and I'm glad you saw right through me. :) I think in the back of my mind, I knew that too. Because it was probably somewhat of a factor when I opted not to do that part of the application. I knew these kinds of sites would get me into a frenzy over nothing, and I see that now that I've settled my brain a bit. But basically I came across a page dedicated to all of the scholarship opportunities reserved for first year honor students, and saw it as a little What If scenario gone awry...which was simply unnecessary to say the least. </p>

<p>It sounds like your children had perfectly wonderful experiences though. How did you/they handle the OOS tuition? It'll be easier to fully weigh the two schools after I visit the campus, of course. But I do have a lot of family nearby in Wa., which is a nice benefit. Once again, thank you for your insight! I feel a lot better now. And I really am looking for a different experience in college rather than how challenging the academics are. I have no doubt that UW is a fabulous school! I just have to convince my bank account of the same thing...</p>

<p>I'm in Las Vegas, Nevada and UWashington is the school I want to go to (out of those I applied to & got accepted to) most, by far.</p>

<p>I'm from the CA bay area, and i'm pretty much set on being a husky next year! :]</p>

<p>international student.
safety school.
not planning to attend without scholarship.</p>

<p>Portland, OR. Accepted to Honors and Foster School... but currently I can go to USC Marshall for less money. I would like to attend UW but it doesn't look like it's going to be feasible.</p>

<p>You guys are seriously over competitive. The UW may be #15 in the World Ranks, but it's still rather easy to get into. As far as the Honors program goes, I heard prospective and hard-working freshmen can transfer after their first semester? If so, that's what I'm doing!</p>

<p>and Incogntio, you are seriously an ass. </p>

<p>(read Incognito's little acceptance blurb :(</p>

<p>^Actually, I find his blurb refreshing, despite it being intentionally provocative. ECs are blown way out of proportion, the vast majority of kids that I know do them not because the like them, but because colleges expect them. The so-called "leadership" positions are full of *****, e.g., a class president's "leadership" is often limited to stapling leaflets for stupid events to bulletin boards, club presidents are even worse, and the job of a school paper "editor" is mostly limited to dropping pics and text into spots on a pre-defined template.</p>

<p>Anyway, back on topic. D is OOS (Portland, OR), UW is sort of a desirable safety for her, still waiting on her top choices. Her deep safety, U of O, offered money that will make it nearly free to attend from a tuition standpoint, but there is no way in hell she is going there, with all the dopeheads :-) The extra $30k a year spent on tuition is well worth it.</p>

<p>haha --^ that sort of went through my head too when i applied.</p>

<p>I'm from OR too, but the 32k/year price tag is seriously scaring me.</p>

<p>anyone know when scholarship decisions are issued?</p>

<p>I am also interested in when scholarship decisions come out... I need all the help I can get... :)</p>

<p>Hii. I'm still not 100% sure if I'll be attending UW, but I'm from Georgia. Yes, that southern state on the opposite side of the country. Haha.</p>

<p>My D is from Southern California and she's strongly considering UW. We're just a little concerned about the abundance of rainy days.</p>

<p>We live in Oregon and S has elected to attend UW over Univ Wisconsin-Madison, Univ of Oregon, Santa Clara and Gonzaga. His two Duck older brothers are not pleased but we are very happy with his choice.</p>

<p>bmilstead-that made me laugh. I can only imagine some of the future conversations in your household--good luck! And good choice!</p>

<p>socalmama--I had two of mine go north with some of the same concerns. I promise-neither wanted to leave four years later. There were certainly times around March or April or May where I would hear some complaints...and then a 2 week stretch of 70 degree weather would make them so amazingly hysterically happy that it wouldn't be a concern until the next late spring. I don't want to overstate my point...especially because D tells me that the last 18 mo. have seen more "severe" weather than her first 5 years in Seattle. But, I can say that in all honesty, most of the people who don't like Seattle because of the weather haven't lived there. It is very rare (it happens, I'm sure, but it's rare) that people actually live in Seattle for a lengthy period of time and regret it. Seattle karma is just too lovable..
I really have no reason to talk anyone into anything--too much potential for guilt. But, I've lived in Ca. for 25 years and I still long for the northwest. Mind you...not enough to move there forever..! (we all know you can't beat Ca. for weather-though I prefer Norcal to Socal), but I certainly have seen what a wonderful, WELL ROUNDED, education and experience the school and surrounding area provides. Good luck on your decision.</p>

<p>Thanks casey....the conversations have already become quite animated, particularly when my son recently started to sport his UW sweatshirt, lanyard, etc. Both of my older sons graduated from Oregon in the last decade and as one of them has put it: "He had several thousand schools from which to choose and he managed to select one of the few schools that he should not attend; he better leave that Husky sh** north of the Columbia if he expects to come home for holidays!"</p>