Wilamette - are people normal there?

I come from the northern Midwest in a very “granola”/crunchy area - Birkenstocks, guitars, and it’s not super weird to experiment with not washing your hair for a month or more to see if it’ll make it naturally clean itself.

I just got a letter from wilamette saying that they needed to see this semesters grades before making a decision. I’m confident I will get in as my grades rule this semester.

My question is will there be good people my age there? I am a pale brunette who likes pop music and rap. My politics are pretty liberal but I don’t mind occasionally being challenged. I also am interested in art and film making, but going to college for law or journalism (or something).

I’m afraid because it’s so normal to go to uw-Madison (I live in wisco) but I want to go to a smaller college and branch out and take a risk! But I am running a risk of being stuck somewhere where I am lonely and isolated.

Wilamette students, Oregon residents, and anyone else who feels qualified, please tell me if you think I can fit in and find friends at wilamette! Thank you.

Willamette is a great school. My best friend’s kid went there from Utah and loved it. My daughter’s HS classmate from California went there and loved it. I think you will be fine. Challenged, but fine.

Willamette does not get a lot of kids from the midwest, but it has a nice geographical distribution. I predict if you get in, you’re going to meet a ton of people from the West Coast. May I just say that spending Thanksgiving with friends in Seattle, Portland or San Francisco is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

http://chronicle.com/article/Where-Does-Your-Freshman-Class/129547/#id=210401

My daughter grew up in AZ and graduated in '09- already a long time ago by HS senior standards but she enjoyed her time there- most kids are from OR, WA and CA but she never felt out of place. She wanted a small school experience and that is what she got at Willamette. I think going to school in a new environment is a challenge, but part of your education and worth doing. There are all kinds of kids there- you should be able to find your niche. BTW she remained in OR after graduation and works near Portland- I think she is an Oregonian for good now!

I am wondering whether you have visited or are planning a visit? That would give you a clearer idea if it’s a fit for you. Highly recommend it if at all possible. If you can attend some classes and spend a night there, even better.

My D is a current student. The students definately are liberal but definately not all crunchy granola. Seems like a fair amount of diversity with a liberal lean. Many west coast kids but my D’s Roomate is from the south, she has a friend from Maine, a Canadian friend and a friend who is an exchange student from China. Oh and some west coasters too. They seem to go out of their way to chose a class with diverse but compatible interests. If the school meets your academic needs, you like the vibe when you visit, you are likely to be able to find your people.

There will be kids in Birkenstocks there. And in the spring, there will be those in bare feet when the rain stops. My daughter is a 2014 grad and enjoyed her time at Willamette. Lots of friendly, tolerant students in a non competitive environment.