<p>Congrats Shrinkrap! I also have enjoyed following the saga. It sounds like we are from the same part of the country, so it was interesting to see where our kids end up. My S is headed to UCRiverside.</p>
<p>^Good luck to him! Son is still in the waitlist there.</p>
<p>And thanks all!</p>
<p>Congratulations, Shrinkrap (and Shrinkrap Jr.)!</p>
<p>Isn’t it a wonderful feeling?</p>
<p>Still processing it… but yes, it’s a good thing!</p>
<p>Congratulations to all of you! And, thank you for this thread. It has helped us begin a college list for the 2012 hs D! Keep us posted on how the students do in their new venues.</p>
<p>Taking money out of the equation for the moment, how would you rank the following as to general undergraduate experience. Assume a generic, bloom where his is planted, kid majoring in something like economics/poli sci</p>
<p>University of Washington
Santa Clara U
Willamette
Southern Oregon
Western Washington</p>
<p>I can only comment on Santa Clara and Willamette. The obvious; weather. Santa Clara has more sun, less cold. And I acknowledge, it is only cold by west coast standards.</p>
<p>I think there is a difference in the feel of silicon valley vs Salem as well. And although Santa Clara is not exceptionally diverse, it is more diverse than Willamette. Finally, compared to an LAC, we appreciated Santa Clara’s great engineering program. Not sure about economics and poli sci, but being across from the capital makes Willamette good for several majors/internships.</p>
<p>We ended up taking money out of the equation, but it does count for something.</p>
<p>CJaneRead: Taking money out of the equation, I’d say Willamette. However, out of your list, that’s the one school my family hasn’t visited. I just keep hearing wonderful things about Willamette’s size and academics – and its ability to make a difference in students’ lives. But I really don’t think there’s a bad choice in the lot. </p>
<p>Anyone have any opinions/impressions on Seattle U, University of Montana, Western Washington or Westminster (SLC?)?</p>
<p>Update: I stand corrected. I was just reminded that we have driven by Willamette several times. The location, I agree, is a good one. :)</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son, Shrinkrap, and thank you for your informative posts. It must be a great feeling to finally have everything pinned down.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Shrinkrap! Still waiting for mine to decide between NAU & SJSU (her) and NAU & SFSU (him). No rush…they still have 5 days before the deadline hits. (I’m going to lose my mind!!)</p>
<p>Son got in off the waitlist to UC Riverside!!! </p>
<p>I am happy, I suppose because of the principal of the thing. It was a strong upward trend that got him UC eligible, and he took the subject tests twice.</p>
<p>Congrats!!! </p>
<p>Many people bash UCR but I think it’s not bad of a school at all…it’s what one make of the experience anyway.</p>
<p>I assume he is attending???</p>
<p>I don’t think so. Already committed to LMU. Also got an offer to play soccer at a DIII school …just a little too late…sigh.</p>
<p>Oh, LMU is not bad a bad choice either. I know plenty of people that went there…my best friend graduated from LMU and now works at Oakley :)</p>
<p>I just found this thread and love it. it is exactly what I have been looking for. I have added some of the schools mentioned to my son’s list.</p>
<p>My ds is currently a hs junior with so/so grades - av 3.0 and high test scores. (He scored so high on the PSAT that we have been inundated with solicitations from prestigious universities he has no chance of being accepted to.) I keep reminding him that his grades DO matter. (He got bumped out of his Eng H, basically for not handing in homework.) He wants to go to a 4-year, but is just now beginning to care about his GPA.</p>
<p>We’d love for him to go live in a dorm and begin at a 4-year. Thanks for all the info!</p>
<p>I’m here to submit Reed College in Portland, OR, for consideration; it decided to take a chance on me despite my high-school GPA, which is 3.3. I’m not saying it routinely accepts students in this bracket, or that it’s the right fit for everyone, but if you think your child would thrive in a more intellectually stimulating environment despite underperforming in high school, and are wondering what reach schools he or she could realistically aim for, take a look at Reed!</p>
<p>^^^^^^
Congratulations Ghostt! Our neighbor goes to Reed and absolutely loves it, and yes, she is very intellectual, and also very fun.</p>
<p>Best wishes Ghost! I hope you will check in here from time to time, and let us know how it’s going.</p>
<p>Ghostt… my S is applying to Reed in the Fall and he has a 3.4 GPA. He visited last year and LOVED it. </p>
<p>I have a few questions for this thread… My S is a high SAT 2100+ lowish GPA kid from CA… but from a top private prep who sends 70% of applicants to top 30 schools. He is VERY intellectual but just doesn’t like to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s in HS. His teachers all adore him and he has some unique EC’s with tons of leadership. I just don’t know how he will be looked at by colleges. As far as his stats go, he seems like another lazy boy, but he has over 1000 hrs. of CS, volunteer fireman, rescue diver, volunteers on a Search and rescue… Eagle Scout, First responder, etc… Loves the outdoors and is an avid rock climber, mountaineer, and scuba diver. He is anything but lazy. We also need aid.</p>
<p>He is looking at Western Washington, u of O, Reed, Whitman( huge reach) Lewis and Clark, University of Montana, and University of Idaho… don’t think that NUA will be intellectual enough for him, but looks like a great for school for the outdoor lover. We visited Willamette on our PNW tour but he didn’t like it at all. I think it was because we just left Reed and he was really in the " I’m in love" state of mind. </p>
<p>Any more ideas out there? I would LOVE him to stay at least a 2 hour plane ride away. He is also going to visit Colorado College in the Fall.</p>
<p>5boys - Your son shouldn’t have a problem getting into most of those schools, but Reed and Whitman may be reaches. Both Montana State and University of Montana are ideal for active, outdoorsy people.<br>
Oregon State should also be on your list. They do have some aid for OOS & some terrific programs.
You probably wouldn’t see a cent from WWU - Washington is looking for full-pay OOS to bolster the lack of State funding. It is an excellent school, though. </p>
<p>My younger daughter wouldn’t let me off the freeway to visit Willamette, LOL</p>