<p>Hey everyone, I was putting off my homework as usual and stumbled upon Whitman's forum. After reading a thread, I felt that there was this consensus that Whitman is the best school in Washington. I understand that since I was at Whitman's forum, comments were probably very biased, but I've always thought UW as being the best school in the Pacific Northwest. So I guess what I'm trying to get at is which school do you think is the best school in WA? What do you like about UW? What do you think are the school's best and worst qualities? Basically, why should an instate kid choose UW over say a top LAC like Wellesley or a higher ranked, Boston College?</p>
<p>I'm asking this question for a couple of reasons. It seems like the majority of posts on this forum are centered around the stress of getting accepted. Maybe we can "forget" about our worries (or at least try to, lol) and share our opinions on why we love UW. Also, I've started this thread for personal reasons because I'm at the point where I really need to decide where I'm going to go and be comfortable with my decision. I would really appreciate any of your guys' input, support and opinions because right now, I'm driving myself crazy w/ indecisiveness! :-)</p>
<p>I think UW is the best university and Whitman is the best liberal arts college in Washington. (It's very difficult to try and compare the two...) The campus is very beautiful. It's easy to get research positions as an undergrad. It has a beautiful health sciences library. ;) Some of its bad qualities arise from its being a large university - large classes, impersonal relationships with professors, and 'being a number'. An instate kid would choose UW possibly for its honors program, a specific department, family, and for cost over a top LAC. </p>
<p>Rovee, have you done any summer programs at the University? And what schools did you apply to?</p>
<p>What you had to say made a lot of sense in regards to choosing UW over a top LAC. In fact, all of those reasons correlate with my reasons for choosing the U. I have a "Top 3" list that includes Boston College, Wellesley, and the University of Washington and I honestly do not have a definite idea of what my decision will be. Each school has its +'s and -'s so I'm driving myself crazy trying to decide what to do because I really hope that I don't make the wrong choice. I know that the individual makes his/her experience, but I've always been the type of person that likes to plan for the future, and I'm trying to figure out which school (and my situation at each school) will benefit me the most in the future.</p>
<p>I'd love to hear anybody's comments and/or words of wisdom about choosing a college, preferably in context to my situation, but I'd also appreciate any advice in general. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you plan on going to the best one I would choose boston...it seems that the UW is the easiest to get in of the three colleges you have as options. After getting ur BA you can always apply to the other schools (med...dental) the UW has.</p>
<p>Two cents from an old geezer. Boston College is supposed to be a Catholic University. If you are Catholic and your faith is important to you, then stay away from BC. They are a university that happens to be Catholic; not a Catholic university.</p>
<p>I, actually, happen to be Catholic, but catholicism is only a small factor as to why I like Boston College. There are different types of "catholic schools," depending on what religious order is running them (i.e. Jesuits: BC, Seattle U., Georgetown; Franciscans, Order of the Holy Cross, Dominicans.. sorry, I'm not familiar w/ the schools of these other orders). But each order focuses on different aspects of the faith. Jesuits are known to be educators. Franciscans are known to focus more on helping the poor and needy. Dominicans are noted for focusing on something else. (lol, sorry, the stuff I learned from confirmation class is slipping away from me). Therefore, I realized before that BC would not focus entirely or even, heavily, on the Catholic faith. But still, I like BC for its Jesuit ran education (among other things), which is supposed to be awesome.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean though about Jesuit schools being "a university that happens to be Catholic; not a Catholic university" because I've heard this from a friend who wants to be a priest. Personally, I wouldn't mind either way, but thank you for the heads up! I'd appreciate any more cents that an "old geezer" would like to offer. :-)</p>
<p>Well, well. Interesting. It appears you are on top of things. In my youth I considered becoming a priest, a Jesuit in fact. Nothing like being a soldier for Christ, and a chance to get a world class education. But, in my view, the Jesuits began to sell out to modernity in the post Vatican II climate of permissiveness. To this day I remain a decidedly traditional Catholic. It is a shame, you probably never have had the opportunity to participate in the pre-Vatican II form of the Mass (Tridentine). No point in going on about this here. Wherever you decide to go, and whatever career you decide to pursue; ground yourself in the classics of literature, theology and philosophy. Never forget there is an objective reality we are all called to recognize and participate in. As for your friend; tell him to find a traditional order of priests as fast as he can else all is lost! Good luck with your decision.</p>