More food, a little more rain and of course…more colleges! The last two days of our Pacific Northwest College tour included the University of Puget Sound, Seattle University and the University of Washington. A lot of fun surprises throughout each campus!
University of Puget Sound: Before I list the quick facts, I have to share a story. My first year as a counselor was at a large public high school. My caseload included over 500 students! Throughout my time, I was able to make some deeper connections if you can believe it. One of those connections came full circle when Sloan, an alumnus of Valencia High School ended up being our tour guide at UPS. Crazy! Sloan is now a Junior on her way to graduating early from UPS. She took advantage of a summer paid research opportunity (as an English major!), the Greek system where she found incredible mentorship and rain a radio show. Not bad! Okay, now the quick facts:
- Located in Tacoma, Washington, 2,600 students, average class size 18
- A part of the Colleges that Change Lives list
- Experiential learning is a huge component (research, study abroad, etc.)
- 100% classes taught by faculty (no teaching assistants here!)
- Top school of music and visual and performing arts programs
- Students access Tacoma’s art scene (interning at museums, etc.)
- Ranked for best science lab facilities
- Students at UPS are game changers, they are passionate, they are academic (but not SO stressed), they are kind, they are involved, they are learners
- Students who want a smaller environment with access to a larger city and are intellectually curious would thrive at UPS
- Source: http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/fact-sheet/:
- “More than 80 percent of Puget Sound graduates who apply to medical and dental schools are accepted–nearly twice the average national acceptance rate.”“Puget Sound has a highly regarded School of Music, and is the only national liberal arts college in the Northwest to offer a full symphony orchestra, concert band, jazz band, and comprehensive choral and opera program.”
- Campuses with similar feel = Claremont Colleges
Seattle University
- Private, Jesuit with about 4,700 undergraduate students, average class size 19, located in heart of Seattle
- Only 30% students identify Jesuit/Catholic
- Jesuit education focuses on educating every facet of the person not just academics (i.e. service learning and civic responsibility)
- “Go forth and set the world on fire…ignite change in the world and the way you see it” paraphrase from our tour guide explaining the significance of the glass blown fire piece
- Strong Business and Nursing programs
- Nursing students get to start doing clinicals in their Sophomore year
- Location in Seattle is a huge benefit for these programs
- Popular programs: Computer Science, International Business, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science
- Seattle U’s campus is considered a wildlife preserve (hidden gardens throughout campus)
- Students enjoy discounted tickets and free city transportation
- Seattle U is for the student who wants to enjoy and take advantage of the amenities of a city, but want a smaller environment
- Students at Seattle U don’t just go to class to learn, they are challenged to make an impact in a bigger way, life-learners
- Campus with similar feel = University of San Diego
University of Washington
- HUGE campus with over 30,000 students = over 500 student organizations and a TON of fraternities/sororities
- Big sports, big campus, research-based university, access to a city, lots to do!
- Top programs in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering and Social Sciences
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- Not for the student who would hate to sit in a class of over 300 studentsFor the student who wants to meet someone new every day, be in a city and enjoy a spirited, traditional college campus
- Campuses with similar feel = UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley
Be a tourist…have some fun
- Pike Place
- Original Starbucks, fisheries, food, shops and more food (I recommend the Pike Place Chowder and the Piroshky Bakery for baked deliciousness!)
- Breakfast for Portage Bay Cafe for an amazing pancake bar, YES an entire spread dedicated to upping your pancake game
- Space Needle and downtown
Barneson Counseling 
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