Student Profile
Abby
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Psychology
- Gender: F
- High School: Kentridge High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
One thing that is great about Washington is its location. The campus is beautiful and it's only a 15 minute bus ride from downtown Seattle. There is Gasworks park just down the Burke-Gilman trail which cuts through part of campus. Gasworks is said to be the most beautiful location in the Seattle area overlooking downtown across the water. One set of dorms overlook Lake Washington and the other overlook Lake Union. There isn't a place on campus that isn't absolutely gorgeous. The fountain on campus stands in front of a view of Mount Rainier and the list beauty is endless. University Way is filled with stores and restaurants, many cooperating with on campus meal cards. Just down the hill from campus is University Village full of high end stores such as Coach, Abercrombie, Pottery Barn, MAC, Something Silver, Apple, Gap, H&M, Victoria's Secret, QFC, and of course multiple branches of the Seattle classic: Starbucks. The bus system makes it really easy to maneuver around campus and the surrounding areas. One downside to Washington is the ridiculous prices of everything on campus. This is something you will hear everyone complain about. The smallest meal plan HFS offers is over $700 which most girls I talk to have a very very difficult time spending in a quarter, even with the overpriced meals we pay for. Naturally tuition does increase every year along with room and board. But improvements are constantly being made in all of the buildings and I feel that the money is being put to use. Seattle itself has a high price for housing compared to cities where other state schools are located. This almost makes it worth it to stay in the dorms if it weren't for the food prices.
Academic Life
Professors rarely know the names of their students in the introductory classes but once you start taking classes within the major then the class sizes decrease and the attention from the professor is increased. Class participation is common within quiz sections with the TAs which, depending on the class, occur once or twice a week. I tend to prefer classes that have quiz sections because it gives you a chance to ask questions you wouldn't be able to otherwise in a lecture sometimes as large as 700 people. I feel that the education at UW is geared towards application versus learning it for the sake of learning it.
Student Body
I feel that Washington is a very diverse campus. I know people from most races, religions, social classes, and of many different sexual orientations. All of these people seem to be very well accepted on campus. There are a ton of Asians at Washington and there are a lot of Caucasians as well. I know many LGBT people as well and took a class on that last quarter to gain more knowledge about that culture. There is a class offered for pretty much every religion, region, and minority group on campus. I also know some people who are on full scholarship due to need. I know others who are on some financial aid but who pay for it themselves, and others whose parents pick up what is left after financial aid. There is also a large number of people whose parents pick up the entire tap altogether. I find that I know more people whose parents have the money to pay for their education than people who are paying for it themselves. As for politics, Washington is definitely a liberal school although there is a good chunk of conservatives.
The Best Things
Variety of Subjects and classes, Diversity, and Neverending activities to participate in
The Worst Things
Crime
