UWB is a public university with a private school feel--small class sizes and a warm, tight-knit campus community. Here, there is a heavy focus on interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking, and getting students prepared for life after undergraduate education. In my time here, I have learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my life.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Go into UW Bothell with an open mind- I came to the school dead-set on transferring and becoming a linguistics major. After my first year, I found that I was much more interested in two majors from the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences: Global Studies and Media & Communication Studies. Also, I loved my professors and fellow students too much to leave. UW Bothell offers many things that large universities can't. The school is heavily invested in one-on-one student tutoring (writing center, math and science center, digital media tutoring) and on-campus jobs where students can learn from experience. Socially, UWB wouldn't be the top choice for a typical college experience, if that's what you're looking for (and you could be looking for the opposite!). There's no Greek system, limited dorms, and no party scene. As the school grows, however, more students are living on campus and developing a more social feel. Get in while you still can, it gets more competitive every year!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
UW Bothell presents the same level of academic rigor as the other UW campuses. However, the support and small class sizes make it a bit easier to learn and focus on your studies. The only thing notably different from other campuses is that some classes seem to have more relaxed midterms and finals. Relaxed meaning they aren't always a huge deal and usually consist of a paper or presentation (sometimes a quiz, too).
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Personally, I've never lived in the dorms. However, they are not your typical student housing. The dorms at UW Bothell are relatively new: I believe they first made them available to students during the 2009-2010 school year. I've heard great things about them, and they seem to be a great place for students to spend their first year. They're all converted apartments, so as far as I know there are private bathrooms and kitchens. This is quite a step up from traditional dorms, but is in turn a bit more expensive.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are two cafes on campus: Food For Thought, the cafe and student center in the U Bookstore, and Common Grounds, the cafe and common area in the UW2 building. They are good for a quick snack or coffee, but it's hard to get a full meal here on the cheap. There's also a Subway in the library building, but eating from there gets old quite fast. Because the school is so small and so many students are commuter students, there's really no cafeteria or dining hall. Sometimes it's better just to walk 8 minutes to Bothell's Main Street and get some Thai food.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There's always events going on on-campus: holiday celebrations, movie nights, open mics, intercultural night, Bollywood night...and many more, with new events added every year. There's also becoming more and more clubs on campus--it's likely you'll find one that matches your interest.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
At UW Bothell, you're paying a public school price for a private school education. Of course it's a deal! However, tuition costs keep rising at a ridiculous rate. Sooner or later, we could be paying as much as these private schools.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
UWB is a very green campus. Just down the hill from the main part of campus we have a huge wetlands restoration project...great for science and environmental majors! If you go the opposite direction, there's a trail running through the forested area of campus, where you can see The Ancestors Sculpture and a few original houses still standing from when the entire campus was a farm.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who commute, students who prefer individualized attention, students who aren't looking for the typical college experience, academically and socially open-minded students.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are always new clubs and activities being set up at UWB. We have a great Student Life department, and many students with diverse interests. There are also activity fairs a few times a year, so you can always know what's happening around campus.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There currently is no Greek system at UW Bothell. Some students have suggested it, but nothing has been formally established.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
UW Bothell is a VERY safe campus. I've always felt safe there. They'll send out the crime statistics report at the end of every school year, and for the occurrences of each type of offense, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find 0's, 1's, and rarely 2's. Even out of those offenses, I've never seen incidents of violence.
UWB is a public university with a private school feel--small class sizes and a warm, tight-knit campus community. Here, there is a heavy focus on interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking, and getting students prepared for life after undergraduate education. In my time here, I have learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my life.
Go into UW Bothell with an open mind- I came to the school dead-set on transferring and becoming a linguistics major. After my first year, I found that I was much more interested in two majors from the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences: Global Studies and Media & Communication Studies. Also, I loved my professors and fellow students too much to leave. UW Bothell offers many things that large universities can't. The school is heavily invested in one-on-one student tutoring (writing center, math and science center, digital media tutoring) and on-campus jobs where students can learn from experience. Socially, UWB wouldn't be the top choice for a typical college experience, if that's what you're looking for (and you could be looking for the opposite!). There's no Greek system, limited dorms, and no party scene. As the school grows, however, more students are living on campus and developing a more social feel. Get in while you still can, it gets more competitive every year!
UW Bothell presents the same level of academic rigor as the other UW campuses. However, the support and small class sizes make it a bit easier to learn and focus on your studies. The only thing notably different from other campuses is that some classes seem to have more relaxed midterms and finals. Relaxed meaning they aren't always a huge deal and usually consist of a paper or presentation (sometimes a quiz, too).
Personally, I've never lived in the dorms. However, they are not your typical student housing. The dorms at UW Bothell are relatively new: I believe they first made them available to students during the 2009-2010 school year. I've heard great things about them, and they seem to be a great place for students to spend their first year. They're all converted apartments, so as far as I know there are private bathrooms and kitchens. This is quite a step up from traditional dorms, but is in turn a bit more expensive.
There are two cafes on campus: Food For Thought, the cafe and student center in the U Bookstore, and Common Grounds, the cafe and common area in the UW2 building. They are good for a quick snack or coffee, but it's hard to get a full meal here on the cheap. There's also a Subway in the library building, but eating from there gets old quite fast. Because the school is so small and so many students are commuter students, there's really no cafeteria or dining hall. Sometimes it's better just to walk 8 minutes to Bothell's Main Street and get some Thai food.
There's always events going on on-campus: holiday celebrations, movie nights, open mics, intercultural night, Bollywood night...and many more, with new events added every year. There's also becoming more and more clubs on campus--it's likely you'll find one that matches your interest.
At UW Bothell, you're paying a public school price for a private school education. Of course it's a deal! However, tuition costs keep rising at a ridiculous rate. Sooner or later, we could be paying as much as these private schools.
UWB is a very green campus. Just down the hill from the main part of campus we have a huge wetlands restoration project...great for science and environmental majors! If you go the opposite direction, there's a trail running through the forested area of campus, where you can see The Ancestors Sculpture and a few original houses still standing from when the entire campus was a farm.
Students who commute, students who prefer individualized attention, students who aren't looking for the typical college experience, academically and socially open-minded students.
There are always new clubs and activities being set up at UWB. We have a great Student Life department, and many students with diverse interests. There are also activity fairs a few times a year, so you can always know what's happening around campus.
There currently is no Greek system at UW Bothell. Some students have suggested it, but nothing has been formally established.
UW Bothell is a VERY safe campus. I've always felt safe there. They'll send out the crime statistics report at the end of every school year, and for the occurrences of each type of offense, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find 0's, 1's, and rarely 2's. Even out of those offenses, I've never seen incidents of violence.