University of Oregon/University of Arizona

Parents Forum
1

<p>I decided to post this on the parents board, since these schools probably don't interest many people on the regular boards due to their lack of prestige. I've gotten into both schools and am having a difficult time deciding which school to choose. I'm leaning towards Oregon, but I have done a lot in depth research on Oregon, whereas I really haven't really looked into Arizona.</p>

<p>I'd appreciate any info, advice, etc. on the two schools.</p>

<p>I'm a transfer student coming from California.</p>

2

<p>ive heard some things about u of o, in fact my junior d and I will be visiting next week.</p>

<p>She is interested in marine bio prgram and getting out of wa
whyare you transferring? what are you looking for?</p>

3

<p>U of O has a very good reputation here. (I have also heard good things about U of A.) Have you visited both schools?</p>

<p>The student population in Eugene is very down-to-earth, tends to be on the liberal side, it's a fun college town. I know a lot of people who went to U of O and are extremely proud of it.</p>

<p>We're trying to get S to consider it, as it is in-state for us and has a well-respected journalism program. We will be visiting next month.</p>

4

<p>I'm transferring from a Cal State. I can't stand my current school. It's in a terrible town, is a commuter school, and is extremely small.</p>

<p>I'm looking for a college with lots of school spirit, a real college town, a good sports programs, and a good Business/Economics program.</p>

<p>I have been to both schools and loved them both. Tucson is an ok city. On the other hand, I loved Eugene. My dad wants me to go to U of A (probably because it's cheaper). My mom has told me that she wants me to go where I think I’ll be happy.</p>

5

<p>You will have a great experience at either school. You haven't mentioned weather. That's a big difference.</p>

6

<p>I don't know anything about U of O, but we have several friends whose kids attend U of A and they love it. Great school spirit and lots to do around town.</p>

<p>As another poster pointed out, the weather is quite different between the two cities. Is that a consideration for you?</p>

<p>Congrats and you'll do well at either school. Good luck in making a decision.</p>

7

<p>What do you want to major in? Are you more of a greenie than gas guzzler? Oregon is more outdoorsy, and UofA is more party, but both will offer an excellent education.</p>

8

<p>Weather is not a deciding factor. I prefer cooler weather, but this will not sway my decision one way or the other.</p>

<p>
[quote]
What do you want to major in? Are you more of a greenie than gas guzzler? Oregon is more outdoorsy, and UofA is more party, but both will offer an excellent education

[/quote]

Business/Economics</p>

<p>Neither.</p>

<p>I love the outdoors and I love to party.</p>

9

<p>from what little I know, I would suggest U of O for school spirit and that traditional college feel. Their fans are all over the place and their student sections for football and basketball are among the best. I run into their alumni at sporting events and they really have that "Once a Duck always a Duck feeling." (Arizona draws a much older crowd for their sports) Eugene is a nice college town and rent is very cheap compared to California and Arizona. A relative of mine attends and he has had a great experience in every way: school spirit, academics, and social life. Good Luck whichever you choose and enjoy the rest of your college.</p>

10

<p>I was hoping for a little more info on Arizona or maybe a comparison between the two schools. I think I know quite a bit about Oregon. I don't feel as though I've given Arizona a fair shot since early on I was so focused on Oregon.</p>

11

<p>Data mostly drawn from USNWR</p>

<p>OBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Undergraduate Enrollment:
U Oregon: 16,473 U Arizona: 28,462 </p>

<h1>and % of students who are in-state:</h1>

<p>U Oregon: 12,025 (73%) U Arizona: 18,500 (65%)</p>

<p>Cost (Tuition & Fees):
U Oregon: $5,613 in-state, $17,445 out-of-state U Arizona: $4,666 in-state, $15,128 out-of-state</p>

<p>Graduation & Retention Rank
U Oregon: 111th U Arizona: 142nd<br>
-% of Students expected to graduate in 6 years:
U Oregon: 58% U Arizona: 59%
-% of students who do graduate in 6 years:
U Oregon: 65% U Arizona: 58%</p>

<p>Faculty Resources Rank:
U Oregon: 144th U Arizona: 84th<br>
-% of classes with 50+ students
U Oregon: 16% U Arizona: 16%
-% of classes with <20 students
U Oregon: 39% U Arizona: 30%
-Faculty/student ratio
U Oregon: 18/1 U Arizona: 19/1</p>

<p>Student Selectivity Rank:
U Oregon: 158th U Arizona: 137th
-Average SAT/ACT:
U Oregon: 1001-1232 U Arizona: 1000-1250
-% of students ranking in top 10% of high school class
U Oregon: 25% U Arizona: 34%
-% acceptance rate
U Oregon: 90% U Arizona: 88%</p>

<h1>of NMS Finalists from 2005:</h1>

<p>U Oregon: 11 U Arizona: 106 (1.5%)</p>

<p>Financial Resources Rank:
U Oregon: 197th U Arizona: 80th </p>

<p>Alumni Giving % and Rank:
U Oregon: 14% (118th) U Arizona: 8% (180th)</p>

<p>2006 Football Score:
U Oregon: 10 U Arizona: 37</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Peer Assessment:
U Oregon: 3.3 U Arizona: 3.6 </p>

<p>This comparison has a lot of ups and down, but based on the objective data, U Arizona gets a little better of the comparisons. U Oregon has a overall smaller size and this likely helps them offer more smaller classes than U Arizona and it may also explain why U Oregon does better in graduating their students vs expectations than does U Arizona. But in terms of money and resources available for faculty and students, U Arizona has strong advantages. The selectivity of the two schools is close with U Arizona having a modestly higher number of Top 10% students and NMS finalists. Among academics, U Arizona has a higher profile, but not exceptionally so. </p>

<p>As other posters have noted, the environments of each school are attractive, but the differences between Eugene and Tucson should not be underrated. If possible, you really need to go see U Arizona and compare the heat and the desert and the nature of the local populace (students and otherwise) to what you have seen in Eugene. I think the social and geological differences are a bit more stark than have been portrayed so far. Both environments have appeal, but it is somewhat different strokes for different folks.</p>

12

<p>Both of our California sons loved U of O. Great campus, good college town, Pac-10 sports draw lots of fans, just an all-around terrific college experience.</p>

13

<p>Oregon, no question. I'm an alum and I have never had a bad experience hiring Ducks. It's a small state school but it's accredited and has a surprisingly academic undergrad population. AZ is too big and sunbelt and party schoolish. Nobody goes to Eugene for the sun and fun. My college roomie, a transfer from a sunbelt school, was surprised by the academic rigor at Oregon--"hey, there are people in the library" was her reaction.</p>

14

<p>mombot,
I really like your post. While I have no direct personal knowledge of what goes on in Eugene, I am happy to read your roomie's statement about kids in the library. I believe strongly that the students at places like U Oregon (and U Arizona) are very underrated compared to their peers at more prestigious universities. My experience is that at schools like this, there is a lot of smarts, common sense, work ethic, and solidity in the students from these schools. The public just doesn't get it because these are not Ivies or some other prestigious college and geographically, they are far from the large media centers of NY and LA.</p>

15

<p>Both schools will offer wonderful educational opportunities. Too bad you don't have an easy choice or dealbreaking preference like weather or greenie preference! Oh, and mombot, last time I looked, there were people in the U of A library, lots of them, including my party-hearty California daughter!</p>

16

<p>Have you visited both schools while they were in session? We have several kids from here who go to U of A and absolutely love it. Are in all types of majors, one on a full ride basketball scholarship as well. D was accepted to U of O honors college but got better aid elsewhere (but still had a hard choice to make). Visits to the campuses really helped make the difference.</p>

17

<p>I have been to both schools. Unfortunately, I went to U of A when school wasn't in session.</p>

18

<p>AT our high school, lots of kids my D knows are going to U of A because they did not apply themselves in high school and could get in and it has a big reputation for parties. It is the ultimate safety school from here..............
Of course, this is not necessarily true across the board but U of A has a very negative reputation from here.</p>

19

<p>
[quote]
AT our high school, lots of kids my D knows are going to U of A because they did not apply themselves in high school and could get in and it has a big reputation for parties. It is the ultimate safety school from here..............
Of course, this is not necessarily true across the board but U of A has a very negative reputation from here.

[/quote]

So do you think Oregon's reputation in California is better than Arizona's?</p>

<p>Can anyone answer this question?</p>

20

<p>I've also heard of Arizona's party reputation, but know little else about it.</p>

<p>But here in the east coast, I'd have to say that U of Oregon did a good job of turning my former slacker little brother around. He never applied himself much until he went out there (my bigger sis was already living near there). He joined ROTC and had a great 4 years at U of Oregon. Changed his life - He's been a successful commercial airline pilot for many years, after spending several years as a Marine aviator. Certainly not a route for everyone, but he did like the school a lot.</p>