<p>95688dad, I sent you a PM about my S, did you recieve it?
CAlAlum, thx again for all the great info. and will try to talk yo FA. </p>
<p>Any others that have kids at Willamette or linfield would love to hear from you. These are the 2 schools at this moment we are deciding on with an outside chance on ucd possibly if sports become a nonfactor. I do think that S playing ball in college would actually be a possitive not only in entire experience but already having a group of kids to connect to hopefully keeping him focused in his education vs. at UC school. Do others agree or disagree???</p>
<p>Kb, S2 is also interested in continuing his sport at the D3 level, and I think that it would be good for him to have that group of teammates to keep him focussed and grounded. On the other hand, I could see him dropping the sport at some point, since college kids do change, grow, and develop other interests, and at some point the time commitment even a D3 sport requires might make it tough.</p>
<p>My daughter is a sophomore at Willamette, studying chemistry. She chose WU over some UC campuses, Santa Clara University and Cal Poly, SLO. Like someone mentioned above, she liked it when she visited and it felt like the right place for her.</p>
<p>I know next to nothing about Whitman or Linfield, but I can give Willamette, from a parents perspective, two thumb up. The classes have been rigorous, registration has been a breeze, and she will most certainly graduate in four years. She has found it easy to interact with her professors. All of her friends she met as a freshman returned as sophomores. I think that says something.</p>
<p>Although she did not qualify for work study, she has found a couple of small jobs on campus (tutoring and such) that keep her in chai tea latte money. She enjoys being able to walk dowtown and see a movie or go to the mall. A car is not necessary. She very occasionally heads to Portland, but there is plenty on or near campus to keep her busy.</p>
<p>In February, those that applied to study abroad found out where they will be either fall or spring of junior year. It is terribly exciting that she and her peers will be all over the world. </p>
<p>In a nutshell, she is happy and engaged in college life. She has found life long friends in a collaborative academic environment. She is getting an excellent education at a beautiful campus. She couldnt ask for more…except maybe a bit less rain! </p>
<p>Best of luck in the decision making process.</p>
<p>My D3 is a freshman at Willamette, leaning towards English and Classics. Her two sisters chose Clark Honors College at University of Oregon after considering several PNW liberal arts colleges. We live in Oregon and I think I have visited just about every college campus in the PNW! For my D’s, in addition to financial factors, their ranking of the colleges really came down to perceptions of fit and other intangibles that are personal and maybe intuitive. For example, it was our impression that Linfield appeared to have a more sports-oriented and preppy student population, which might be perfect for some, but not for my D3. And, the Whitman campus is beautiful, but the perceived isolation of WallaWalla and an admissions counselor’s pretentious attitude led to that one just not “feeling right.” The Willamette campus felt right to D3 from the first visit, and consistently thereafter. Everyone, from dining hall staff to fellow students to professors are open and friendly. It is a good fit. The academic challenge and workload in her courses has been high, but manageable. Willamette has been excellent for D3 and she is having a superb first year college experience.</p>
<p>I agree about the high quality education at Willamette. My profession is education Im a tenured professor at a regional university in California. My sons sister went to MIT and is now at Harvard, and Ive always felt that her brother is just as smart, but just never had the perfect gpa she had in high school. He is getting a great education at Willamette, and his dad and I have both been really impressed with the results. The English and Japanese courses he loves are small and intense. When we took him out to dinner this fall, he talked to us about the literary theory he was learning in one of his English courses and frankly, it felt like we were having a conversation with a graduate student. My jaw almost hit the table. </p>
<p>Willamette has produced award-winning students who have gone on to win Fulbright awards (see the website) and who have gone on to study at top-notch graduate schools. The admissions difference between Whitman and Willamette is that Whitman (as we were informed during a follow-up call) wont accept a student with high SAT scores but a gpa just below 3.5, whereas Willamette will, (as does Claremont McKenna). A smart student who is looking for academic rigor will definitely find it there. Beyond the academics, the students on campus are incredibly friendly and welcoming. And as it turns out, my son has decided that he loves rain.</p>
<p>My problem with telling my child to go ahead with Willamette is the price. Realistically we did not get good financial offers from any school he was admitted in, though the UCs offered the most non-loan aids. Not unfair though, as Willamette’s investment in teaching is higher. On a visit to the UC Santa Cruz we heard several times that they ranked 3rd in the world in scientific impact, but that put me a bit off a little. I was a TA in a big research institution as a graduate student and often felt sorry for my students because the professors felt that they had better things to do, for instance write those grants, than teach undergrads. The tension between scientific output and teaching is hard on university professors, who often have to prioritize the first. Being in a large research university may turn out to be the best option for some who can fend for themselves during the first two years and then hopefully get a foot into a lab and participate in some research. Those opportunities are not easy to find in a small private college, but the latter seem to offer a better teaching environment, at least in the beginning of one’s college education. But again, I wish money was not a factor.</p>
<p>cyamops, I can empathize. Finances were definitely a factor for us, too, and one reason why D1 and D2 ended up at U of Oregon Honors College despite being tempted by some PNW LAC’s. That was tough at the time because many of their closest friends were choosing prestigious LAC’s. As it has turned out, D1 and D2 both thrived in that large university atmosphere. On the other hand, we were pretty sure D3 would not have been okay there and really needed a small school. Willamette is a bit of a stretch for us, so I am relieved that (so far) it has turned out to be good for her. Factoring in the money piece does make the decision more difficult for sure.</p>
<p>I also can empathise as costs going to Willamette is main factor on decision. We recieved better aid pkgs. from other CA & PNW LAC’s but S has W and first choice. UCD is also another option, man I wish money was not a factor also…</p>
<p>Hi - just popping in to check up on Willamette - congrats on all the decisions - D had another first love and is attending there, but Willamette was the runner up. After the $$$ are worked out, I don’t see how you can go wrong. It seems like the best of all worlds rolled into one. cheers!</p>
<p>momsings, pls read other post…we are struggling with last minute change of heart by S to go to L. We believe its based all on football and not education. I’m sure L will be good but really liked what W offered. Sure wish I could get other feedback from people who have gone to both schools and true experiences.</p>
<p>Motherof3kids - Congrats to you and your S. I read this whole post and noticed you mentioning your son was at L&C’s writing workshop last year. I have a D attending the writing workshop this summer. She is very excited. How was the experience for your S? Do you feel it helped his applications to college? </p>
<p>I find it telling that he chose W over L&C after spending two weeks at L&C. I am assuming one would start to feel connected/comfortable with a school after two weeks (almost like a home), but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>The Writer’s Workshop at Lewis & Clark was a great experience for S. He loved everything about it: the instructors, being with like-minded kids with a passion for writing, the activities they had scheduled, Portland, the beautiful campus, the food, and just everything about it. He didn’t want to come home and still keeps in touch with many of the friends he made there. He came home wanting to return to Oregon and apply to L & C. Maybe the most valuable thing he learned is that he could go to another state, have an amazing experience and feel at home away from home. If he hadn’t attended he may not have had the confidence to choose Willamette.</p>
<p>It was surprising that he had a change of heart about L & C when he was there in the spring with classes in session, but it just didn’t seem like a fit to him anymore after the overnight and class visit. On the other hand, he felt an instant connection to Willamette and the students he met there. </p>
<p>I don’t know if the Workshop really helped his application or not, although one of his application essays was centered about his love for writing and his experience at the workshop. His main ec’s were band and varsity/club sports, so the workshop did give him the opportunity to highlight his interest in writing.</p>
<p>May I bump this comment thread? My son was just accepted at Willamette, with a nice scholarship (which we’d love to see sweetened), but we know very little about the school. We live in NJ. He is also applying to Whitman, Reid, and UW in the Northwest, and to a bunch of CA colleges, ranging from small LACs like Pitzer to UC Davis, Berkeley, and UCSD. In addition, he’s applying to some colleges in NC and FL. He has been accepted at Eckerd (with a very nice scholarship, making it as affordable as a state college) and Tulane (with no merit aid). I’d love to get some fresh insights about Willamette, the area, transportation, activities, etc.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at Whitman and loves it. It is a bit harder to get into than Willamette but I think there are similarities. Whitman is a very down to earth place, with very bright, unpretentious kids. The academics are rigorous, but most everyone seems very “happy” there. Reed is a quite different place from what I hear…very quirky and intellectual and a bit “darker” in the outlook of the students. However, Reed is in Portland which is a really fun town (although it rains a lot). Willamette is in Salem (also rains a lot), not nearly as nice as Portland, but fairly nearby and the state capitol so if interested in government internships, it’s a good place to be. Whitman is in a nice but remote part of SW Washington state (but rains a lot less). Walla Walla is a cute town with lots of wineries around, but it is by no means the “big city.” Much of the cultural activities are on campus, but there always seems to be things to do. If your S is into the outdoors, Whitman is great…near a lot of mountains, rivers, etc. with a great Outdoor Program club. </p>
<p>There is a big difference between these smaller LACs and the big state schools. Your S should first decide which he prefers. My D chose Whitman over the UCs (we are from California) and is very glad. They are all good to great schools, but are huge and the first couple of years are spent fighting through the crowds to get classes and sitting in some huge lecture halls with hundreds of others students. We pushed the LAC experience as one that would work best for her. However, some love the big school feeling and Division 1 athletics. They might not like the smaller “family” feel of the LACs. Anyway, hope this helps. Definitely consider Whitman if he gets in!</p>
<p>My son will go out to visit Willamette for their accepted students (“Bearcat Day”) event in two weeks. They sweetened their scholarship offer, and he remains interested. They will undoubtedly be on his short list. He has been accepted at UC Davis, UC San Diego, and Occidental. Tulane accepted him, but offered no financial aid other than loans. Occidental offered enough cash to meet his FAFSA EFC (approximately the same as out-of-state costs at the UCs), but that is still a lot more than Willamette will cost. New College of FL offered a fabulous scholarship, and their price-tag is unbeatable, but he won’t commit anywhere until he’s visited Willamette. Reed wait-listed him, and we’re still waiting to hear from Whitman. He’s ruled out his safeties (Eckerd and Guilford) and Tulane (for financial reasons), leaving him with 5 potential colleges right now. He will end up where he belongs. </p>