Any information on Sonoma State or U. or Oregon?

[SDiegoMom]

Hi, our son is trying to decide between Sonoma State and U. of Oregon. He's been accepted to some great Private shools (Chapman, Loyola, Redlands) but either they have offered him zero aid or he doesn't like the location (Redlands). Now we have to decide between these two. Sonoma will be about $17K/year and U. of O. will be about $33K/yr.
I'd love to hear from people who have kids there so that we can get some "real" opinions. Thank you!

[orjr]

My nephew is at Sonoma State and very happy. He isn't particularly challenged intellectually - which is fine with him -but he finds the classes interesting, the people fun, the dorms WONDERFUL and he likes the location.
Both my husband and I went to U of O and I work at a high school that sends many many students there. Big difference in size. Also, if you S is into being a sports fan, the U of O has a GREAT feeling at Autzen Stadium for football and at Mac Court ("the pit") for basketball. U of O has some majors not available at Sonoma. Sonoma has some sunshine not available in Eugene. Eugene is closer to skiing. Both locations have plenty of outdoor activities. What factors are important to your Son? Size of classes? Dorms? greek scene? majors?

[SDiegoMom]

Hi, Thank you for the information. He doesn't have the greatest clarity about what he wants but I have some idea. He does like smaller schools but not smaller than 5K students. He likes smaller classes and wants attention from professors, etc. He is undeclared as far as his major goes but he is very creative. Excellent writer, likes graphic design, media arts. He's thinking of maybe communications with a minor in media arts or graphic design. Who knows, he may end up majoring in business as was his intent in Oct. He loved U. of O. but I think he is concerned about the cost and the weather. He doesn't know if he wants to be in a fraternity. At Sonoma I think he would be so he has a better social life. We will be visiting SSU in about 10 days. He's a little bit concerned about the number of majors at Sonoma but since he doesn't have clarity on this he doesn't want to rule it out. He's not an "outdoorsy" type either. Doesn't snowboard anymore.
Thank you for your help!

[jmmom]

I know this may seem an odd way to think about it this early in the game, but do remember that it is not necessarily an "either/or."

If he likes a lot of things about Sonoma State, including the cost, but yet he later outgrows it due to majors available (or for whatever reason), he can then transfer to UofO - and have saved $16K/year.

Transferring has its own challenges (I did and so did my S - now a junior), but lots of kids do it, after 1 or 2 years.

Just a thought, given that he has good feelings about both.

['rentof2]

I went to Sonoma for a couple years... but that was back at the Dawn of Time. I'm sure it's changed a great deal. I live in Oregon now, and have some basic knowledge of UO, and have visited it.

I think Eugene would be a much more fun place to live than Rohnert Park/Cotati... but that may just be a matter of preference. But that cost factor is not a small one. My guess is there would be a lot more available at UO socially and academically. I loved (then) little Sonoma State when I was there, but I was also ready to transfer pretty early on.

[orjr]

If he is thinking communications - U of O has a standout program. Has he talked to anyone there in that department? It might give him an idea of some possibilities. The culture seems very different at the two schools.

[SDiegoMom]

He did look into the journalism and communication dept. there. He was impressed. Yes, both are very different but we haven't been to SSU yet to even see if he likes it.

[SDiegoMom]

Also, he doesn't want to transfer if at all possible.

[SDiegoMom]

Decision made! U. of O. increased their out of state tuition to about $21K and offered him no scholarship although he applied for the University Scholarship. With total of all expenses it would cost about $34K the first year and probably $32K/yr. after he moves out of the dorms. Too much money at this point and far away.
He visited SSU this week and loved it and I was very impressed as well. They also have a great liberal arts program you can take for 2 years or 4 years. It's called the Hutchins Liberal Arts program and they only have a total of 70 freshman and classes are 14 students in seminar style.
After 2 years he can always transfer if they don't have his major and certainly saving a lot of $$!
Glad this is over until the next son!

[ellemenope]

Glad to hear that all worked out for you and S. Our next door neighbor's D is graduating from Sonoma in a few months. She was very happy with her experience.

[SDiegoMom]

Thank you ellemonpe! Hope he enjoys it too.

[vballmom]

I'm glad your son is happy with his decision to go to Sonoma State, but I'm a little surprised that you've calculated the cost of U of O to be $33k/year. Since U of O is a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the tuition should be 150% of the instate cost, or around $10K. Housing and books add another $13K or so, for a total of around $23K.

Maybe others who are making the same comparison would benefit from this:

WICHE - Student Exchange Programs

[HisGraceFillsMe]

I'm going to Sonoma in the fall!!! I'm going into the Psychology program. I'm so excited...I absolutely fell in LOVE with SSU.

[Maize&Blue]

Oregon does not offer the WUE to California residents, and for residents of recognized states, the tuition rate is extended only to students in certain programs.

You must be a permanent resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

[vballmom]

Maize&Blue,
How interesting, thanks for clarifying. My son has Oregon Inst of Technology on his college list, which does allow California students to receive WUE rates, so I just assumed Oregon was the same. It pays to read the fine print!