<p>My D got accepted into these universities and she is trying to decide amongst the 3. We went to the admitted student day at Seattle U . She liked the school. We are going to Williamette U for admitted Student day tomorrow . Can any one do a comparison of the 3 schools ? I like williamette U but my D likes the big cities like Seattle and San Francisco better. Thank you for your input.</p>
<p>My child is a recent graduate of Willamette. We have nothing but good things to say about the college. I have toured Seattle U and agree it is a nice school also. A friend’s child is a senior there and seems to be having a positive experience. Does your daughter mind the noise of a big city? That was an adjustment for someone coming from more of a suburban environment. The traffic and what not can be heard on campus all the time. I was a bit concerned that Seattle’s graduation rate is considerably lower than Willamette’s. </p>
<p>We recently visited Willamette, and I went to Grad School at USF. They are all similar for being nice campuses in Urban settings. They all have the benefit of having a few graduate programs to go with the undergrad programs. Academically, I think they are all pretty similar: solid, but necessarily prestigious. My take:</p>
<p>Willamette: Nice campus, a little smaller than the other two in terms of undergrad population. Not Catholic like the other two. Easy walk to downtown (3-4 blocks) area for cheap food, coffee, other diversions. There is a grocery (Safeway) within 5 blocks of the Campus. Recently remodeled fitness center and nice Library (Hatfield). After Seattle and SFO, will feel small. More limited in terms of bands who tour there, music scene, restaurants, etc. Right across from the State capitol with opportunities for internships in various state govt. branches. </p>
<p>Seattle U: On Capitol Hill, which is a pretty dense housing/apartment area, but very close to Downtown Seattle, Sporting venues, much better food/music/entertainment options. Capitol Hill is a very diverse/progressive neighborhood, and would probably be considered a popular neighborhood for the LGBT population. Has D-I sports. Lots of hospitals (also known as Pill Hill) and health care in the nearby area. Don’t bring a car.</p>
<p>USF: In a beautiful location, especially with the Lone Mountain campus. On the Northwest corner of Golden Gate Park. Easy(straight down Fulton) access to Ocean Beach. Very close to the Haight too. Easy buses to just about anywhere. Fog in the summer, but nice during the school year. World class city, with so much to do and so many different neighborhoods to explore. Go across the Golden Gate bridge to Marin, and you’re in a different world. Don’t bring a car here either. Also D-1 sports.</p>
<p>If you have the chance to live in SFO or Seattle once in your life, do it. </p>
<p>Thank you. My D likes Williamette better now. She will visit USF tomorrow with her mother .
I am concerned about the high transfer rate (29%). What is the 4-year graduation rate for USF?</p>
<p>According to their IPEDS data (on College Navigator), the four year grad rate for USF was 56% for the cohort starting in 2004 and 54% for the cohort starting in 2006.</p>
<p>Hi! Current Willamette junior here without a lot of knowledge about the other two schools, though my parents do live 15 minutes away from Seattle. Salem obviously isn’t as exciting as the other two cities, but Willamette’s campus is really lovely. I very rarely feel bored - Willamette students tend to be incredibly involved in campus life and extracurriculars. There’s a very community-oriented feel to the school, and I think it shows when you visit. Willamette is close to Portland, and accessible by car or train if she needs a big city every once in awhile. </p>