<p>Hi -
We'll be visiting Willamette (& 3 other NW schools) over spring break. Since it is a long trek for us, this will probably be the only visit prior to college application/decision.</p>
<p>2 questions -</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Is there anything we shouldn't miss? This is our one shot!</p></li>
<li><p>My D is a junior - is this too soon for an interview?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the fact that we scheduled a visit over the web page enough to convey that "we're serious about this school" or should we be getting in touch personally with the admissions counselor assigned to Minnesota?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>OK, that was 3 questions.</p>
<p>Walk around Salem while you are there. Has a great downtown area and lots of nice neighborhoods around the capital. The campus is pretty small so it is hard to miss anything. Somehow we did miss the train when we visited and D ended up in the dorm right next to the tracks. Come to think of it almost all the dorms are right next to the tracks. There should be kids hanging around for the break. I would grab a couple and talk to them while you are there.</p>
<p>I would agree with the suggestion to walk around downtown. I've really enjoyed living in Salem.
Yes, there is a train, and I lived right next to it my Freshmen year. It'll keep you up the first night or two, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. The campus tours generally do a pretty good job of taking you to all of the on-campus highlights, in my opinion.
I would definitely talk to admissions about an interview. They were very friendly when I interviewed! Even rescheduled mine since I misjudged the travel time and showed up 2 hours early.
I would be prepared for the campus to be pretty quiet during Spring Break. Many students choose to live in the dorms even for their junior and senior years, so they tend to go home for the breaks.</p>
<p>Thanks much! Willamette actually will be open when we are there, and we've asked to sit in on a class and meet the harp instructor. OK, I mean D - not "we". Am I helicoptering?! </p>
<p>One other question - if Salem starts to feel too small, at least on the weekends, how is the access to Portland for a car-less student?</p>
<p>I am pretty sure there is an AMTRAK stop in both cities but how convenient and accurate the schedule is I don't know. I would imagine there is a fair amount of shared transport happening in the Willamette valley in general and on the campus specifically with Oregon being so environmentally aware and proactive.</p>
<p>Chi Square I wish you and your D luck on the trip....I too am hoping for sun in Salem :0) Although I am indifferent to the weather for our visit to Portland. Willamette is only on the list because I like it and I think they will like it too. I know they will like University of Portland even if it's a thunderstorm.</p>
<p>ha ha! I wish my daughter would at least consider larger schools, but at the moment she won't look at anything >3000 students. I like Willamette very much from afar - let's see if I'm equally enthusiastic after the visit!</p>
<p>D has a car at Willamette and has only ventured into Portland once in 1 1/2 years. Seems to find plenty to keep busy with in Salem. Last I checked there were several trains/buses running daily from Salem to Portland costing $11-15 one way.</p>
<p>At least 20 or 30, I would say. I'm from the Seattle area and it is quite convenient to catch the amtrak home after class on fridays for holidays or family events. The stop is right across the street from the campus.</p>
<p>I have no car and have also gone to Portland a handful of times, both with friends who have cars and on my own on Amtrak. However, if you choose not to leave Salem at all there is still plenty to do!</p>
<p>I am thinking more of activities for you than for your student! </p>
<p>Go to the Hallie Ford Art Museum on campus-it is a small gem- high quality, if you enjoy that kind of thing. If your child doesn't, let them do something else and go alone- they don't want to hang around with you all that much anyway. </p>
<p>Bush Park is also very pretty- a short walk from campus. There are two historic homes on the property that give tours- I found it very interesting. I also took the tour at the nearby Mission mill museum. We are not from the Northwest and I enjoyed learning about the area. The Capital gives tours as well. </p>
<p>The downtown area has several good restaurants and there is a mall there with the usual stores. </p>
<p>My D spent a night on campus and that was the experience that sold her- she is a junior now and has enjoyed Willamette- spent first semester abroad this year and had a great experience. She has been to Portland occasionally, to Eugene a couple of times and to Seattle once. I think she is pretty happy to spend most of her weekends at school. She does not have a car but plenty of her friends do.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! We will be on campus in about 12 days, and D signed up to attend a class & talk to the admissions counselor, so I'll have some time to kill on my own. I'm hoping for a sunny day.</p>