This was not my first choice school; I went here because of the cheap tuition, and I'm very happy with my decision. I really love the school. There's always stuff to do, places to visit, food to eat (amazing food carts!), and a diverse body of people to meet.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Most places you'll need/want to go to around campus are within walking distance, so get ready for A LOT of walking. Get some good, comfortable walking shoes! Also try to familiarize yourself with Trimet's different forms of public transit (bus, Max, streetcar). Those will certainly be useful whether you intend on living on or off campus.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
As a first-year student, I can't speak about the entire college experience including the upper division classes and all that, but I can say that so far I'm being challenged by my classes, but they are not supremely difficult. Totally doable as long as you have decent time management skills. Professors are there to help, and there are tutoring services offered in the library should you ever need that extra push.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
(I do not live on campus; I was required to fill out this section. Sorry)
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Always some delicious food around every corner. Try a little bit of everything from each food cart! Not only is the food terrific, but the people working the carts are very nice and down to earth. My only complaint is that some dishes can be overpriced, but that's to be expected. I don't know about the dining services actually offered by the school itself, though. There is a cafeteria in Smith Memorial which I've never tried.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There's a bowling alley in the basement of Smith Memorial. There are numerous cafes on and off campus, and I recently discovered one (Glyph Cafe) that hosts poetry slams weekly. Visit the Art Museum! Visit OMSI! Visit the zoo! Catch a Timbers game at Providence Park! Go shopping at Pioneer Place! Hang with some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings! There is a TON to do in and around campus.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I was fortunate enough to receive enough financial aid to the point where I do not need to take out loans for my first year here at PSU. (I am an Oregon resident, btw.) That said, I did have to pay a few hundred dollars out of pocket, but that's a small price to pay considering I won't have a whole lot of debt by the time I graduate, if any at all! I have to say I'm a little annoyed at the fact that I am charged a rec center fee each term, even though I never use the rec center. But oh well, there's no way around that. But I believe the amount I'm paying for my education is just right.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Self-directed learners. Shy people, outgoing people. People who love urban settings. People who love rain.
This was not my first choice school; I went here because of the cheap tuition, and I'm very happy with my decision. I really love the school. There's always stuff to do, places to visit, food to eat (amazing food carts!), and a diverse body of people to meet.
Most places you'll need/want to go to around campus are within walking distance, so get ready for A LOT of walking. Get some good, comfortable walking shoes! Also try to familiarize yourself with Trimet's different forms of public transit (bus, Max, streetcar). Those will certainly be useful whether you intend on living on or off campus.
As a first-year student, I can't speak about the entire college experience including the upper division classes and all that, but I can say that so far I'm being challenged by my classes, but they are not supremely difficult. Totally doable as long as you have decent time management skills. Professors are there to help, and there are tutoring services offered in the library should you ever need that extra push.
(I do not live on campus; I was required to fill out this section. Sorry)
Always some delicious food around every corner. Try a little bit of everything from each food cart! Not only is the food terrific, but the people working the carts are very nice and down to earth. My only complaint is that some dishes can be overpriced, but that's to be expected. I don't know about the dining services actually offered by the school itself, though. There is a cafeteria in Smith Memorial which I've never tried.
There's a bowling alley in the basement of Smith Memorial. There are numerous cafes on and off campus, and I recently discovered one (Glyph Cafe) that hosts poetry slams weekly. Visit the Art Museum! Visit OMSI! Visit the zoo! Catch a Timbers game at Providence Park! Go shopping at Pioneer Place! Hang with some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings! There is a TON to do in and around campus.
I was fortunate enough to receive enough financial aid to the point where I do not need to take out loans for my first year here at PSU. (I am an Oregon resident, btw.) That said, I did have to pay a few hundred dollars out of pocket, but that's a small price to pay considering I won't have a whole lot of debt by the time I graduate, if any at all! I have to say I'm a little annoyed at the fact that I am charged a rec center fee each term, even though I never use the rec center. But oh well, there's no way around that. But I believe the amount I'm paying for my education is just right.
Self-directed learners. Shy people, outgoing people. People who love urban settings. People who love rain.