<p>I have to applied to a colleges in these states, but I’m having a difficult time choosing the right college for me. And in particular, I want to know what it’s like to go to college in these states and the pros and cons. Help x(.</p>
<p>If it’s any help I’ve applied to:</p>
<p>Seattle University, Washington State</p>
<p>UC Irvine, UC Davis, Univ. of the Pacific</p>
<p>Univ. of Portland, Oregon State University</p>
<p>Colorado State, UC Denver</p>
<p>Net price can be considerably different (it may depend on your state residency as well).</p>
<p>California is a huge state, both in terms of population and land mass, so generalizing about what it’s like to go to school there is nearly impossible. Irvine, Davis, and Stockton are extremely different cities. Irvine is the tech hub of Orange County, and most assuredly not a college town. Irvine itself is extremely safe, and relatively close to the beach, LA, and other famous SoCal landmarks. Davis came into existence because of UC Davis. It’s about 15 minutes north of Sacramento and is a college town. According to most people I know that went there, the surrounding city grows old rather quickly, but they do appreciate its bikability. Davis came into existence as the agricultural outpost of the UC system, so it’s right in the middle of farmland. Stockton is an economically depressed city with extremely high crime rates. I know one person at University of the Pacific and she hates Stockton. Both Stockton and Davis are in the inland parts of California where few people (relative to the coastal regions) live.</p>
<p>Davis is about 15 miles west of Sacramento.</p>
<p>And I don’t think its “in the middle of farmland”, although it probably felt that way when I moved nearby 23 years ago. </p>
<p>The things that come to mind to me, is the difference in climates, how hard it might be to get in and out, what a student might do nearby, the campus culture, and especially the weather/climate.</p>
<p>I have not gone to college around here, but love the Davis location for being close enough to Tahoe for winter and non winter sports, the state capitol, San Francisco, and Napa for day trips.</p>
<p>It’s very hot, but not so much during the school year. So is UofP, and it seems WAY more isolated than Davis, but I only go there for soccer tournaments. </p>
<p>I really liked Portland, but it rained each visit, and Univ of Portland is small and Catholic. Not that theres anything wrong with that.</p>
<p>Sorry UCB, it’s been months since I drove from UC Davis to Sacramento. And Davis, although relatively close to Sacramento, is surrounded on all sides by agriculture thus making it “in the middle of farmland”.</p>
<p>Seattle U and U Portland are much more similar than Seattle U and Washington State, even if the latter pairing share a state.</p>
<p>Also, CU-Denver is a commuter school, with only 5% of students living on campus.</p>
<p>These schools are very different. It would help to know what you are looking for, in terms of “feel” and major. Large/small? Strong school spirit/commuter? Do you care about surrounding beauty/close to mountains/ocean? Are you more preppy or artsy? Is safety an issue? I can probably comment more if I understand your criteria. Otherwise my own preferences would get in the way.</p>
<p>I understand you are asking about the states, and not the schools in particular. But even within California the variation is huge, as whenhen pointed out. It’s impossible to characterize in single statements.</p>
<p>I agree with whenhen that Seattle U and U Portland are the most similar.</p>
<p>OP, are you from the midwest or east coast? People from back there often don’t understand how BIG it is out here. We can drive for 12 hours and still be in the California. The people and geography vary considerably.</p>
<p>No, Seattle U and U of Portland are quite dissimilar. SU campus is tiny and undistinguished.</p>
<p>With all the new buildings I would not call SU tiny. And the new buildings are all very nice. Overall it’s an OK campus now. And the neighborhood is MUCH improved. Adjacent to one of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods for young people.</p>
<p>I live in a Seattle suburb and will comment only on the 2 WA ones.</p>
<p>Seattle U is well respected in the area, though my kids won’t be applying. It is very pricey and, except for 1 athlete, has not offered decent fin. aid to any of the kids we know. It is incorporated into the Capitol Hill neighborhood of the city and the students tend to use what the city has to offer. People tend to really like Seattle (Portland and Fort Collins, too, but not Stockton), despite the dark, wet days of winter.</p>
<p>We know a whole bunch of kids at WSU. The kids tend to LOVE their school, even the one we knew who initially hated it there and, for the first couple of months, wanted to transfer. It’s rather remote out there in the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse, but that keeps the students on campus every weekend, thus choices for student activities. They go to the bustling town of Moscow, ID, population 24,000 and home of UofId, for some variety.</p>
<p>By the way, I like your college list. Some type of engineering?</p>
<p>OSU is another school in a smaller city/town (56,000) in the lush, green Willamette valley. Corvallis is an hour/90 min. from the larger cities of Eugene, home of U of O, and Portland. The city of Corvallis is very much centered around OSU, but offers enough other things (restaurants, movie theaters) that it’s easy to have some life off-campus, too. Students love to root for the Beavers football and basketball teams! Great engineering and forestry programs.</p>
<p>It’s true that UCD is mostly a commuter school. And because it shares the same campus with two other schools (Metro State and Community College of Denver) it lacks a real sense of identity. In my opinion, it compares negatively to the UCs and even Colorado State in terms of the traditional college “experience”</p>
<p>^ UCD meaning Denver, not Davis.</p>
<p>It would be good to know where you are from and what type of school and environment you are looking for. These are all very different schools </p>
<p>OSU is a college town. Growing up we called it Cow College. However it is close to ocean, and only 30 minutes or so from Eugene</p>
<p>UCDavis is in a very liberal college town. Great for bikers and outdoors people</p>
<p>Where have you been accepted?</p>