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nietsdoen · 03-25-2011, 06:43 AM

I've received acceptance letters from both the University of Washington (which was a bit of a stretch because of my GPA -- average GPA of admitted freshmen is 3.75) and Western Washington University (second best public 4-year in my state solely in terms of GPA - 3.57 for admitted freshmen).

I know what I want to major in, because I've done 2 years full time at a community college in a program we have for high school students. Creative writing and probably studio art as well. Both schools have these programs and although I can't find much in terms of ranking, the University of Washington is mostly known for its medical school and science programs, not so much in the liberal arts, so WWU and UW are probably about equal for what I want to do. Still, I think UW has more of a reputation with employers.

At first I decided on Western because it's more of a "hippie" school (and the surrounding city is also very hippie, relative to other cities), you might say. It's a personal thing, but it's a definite plus. Finances either way are not a concern. I also like the fact that Western is closer to recreational opportunities in nature -- that's important. Generally, the people there and the fact that it's so environmentally conscious seem more me.

On the other hand, UW gives me a certain feeling I can't quite describe. It's very large (but the classes I'll be taking won't be the ones with 100+ students), and that's a con, but there's just something about it I can't explain. After initially deciding on Western, last night I had a dream where I kept going, "The University of Washington.. there's just something about it. What is it? If I had to choose between WWU and UW, I would say UW." And in the dream it was a feeling of certainty.

Still, Western has more spiritual groups -- groups that are not affiliated with any religion and just seek consciousness expansion, while UW being much larger doesn't have anything like that, which says something about the people there and where I might fit in more. On the other hand (again), UW is very accessible to downtown Seattle, which I would love to explore over the next two years.

For the record, I have visited both campuses, but have not gone on an extensive tour of either. I got a better feeling from WWU's campus, but UW's campus is very beautiful, however walking across it takes 3X longer, and I still have that same intuitive feeling about UW in general.

My ambivalence is very plain to see. Please help me with this decision. The deadline is May 1st, and I'm very bad at putting decisions off until the last minute.

RedRain · 03-25-2011, 07:09 AM

You're probably going to pick the wrong one, so go with the one you want.

zack637 · 03-25-2011, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRain

You're probably going to pick the wrong one, so go with the one you want.

LOL.

Definitely pick the one where you will have more fun and a chance to meet and connect with people like you.

I moved from a more fun college to a more "serious" college just because it was supposed to be "better" and now I regret those 4 years.

Another thing you can do is flip a coin, because during the time the coin is in the air you will realize what you really want :P

nietsdoen · 03-25-2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRain

You're probably going to pick the wrong one, so go with the one you want.

I don't KNOW which one I want. Did you even read my post? lol. Thanks anyway.

nietsdoen · 03-25-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zack637

LOL.

Definitely pick the one where you will have more fun and a chance to meet and connect with people like you.

I moved from a more fun college to a more "serious" college just because it was supposed to be "better" and now I regret those 4 years.

Another thing you can do is flip a coin, because during the time the coin is in the air you will realize what you really want :P

Thank you, this helps. UW is definitely the more serious school.

And yes, the coin flipping is a good idea.

designAlignment · 03-25-2011, 07:52 AM

Could also try "timelining" to get impressions...

First think of what you want out of it - what you want to experience and how you want to feel.

Do your best to quiet your mind and release your emotional attachments to the choice (this is the hardest part).

When you're emotions are calm and your mind is clear, imagine making once choice and tune into sense how you feel 1 week after starting at that place. Then imagine attending 1 month and let the impressions flow again. Then 3 months, 6 Months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.

Then imagine making attending the other university and repeat the process.

Trust that if the choice is important, you'll have a clear impulse in that direction.

Either way, you create your reality, so it doesn't really matter which one you take - you can always just "make a decision and then make it right."

votoshka · 03-25-2011, 08:02 AM

I visited the University of Washington once (when I went to the US and stayed with a family in Seattle for a few days hehe), and it looked really nice

However... I can't really give you advice about which to attend. I think you need to go with your gut instinct!

RedRain · 03-25-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nietsdoen

I don't KNOW which one I want. Did you even read my post? lol. Thanks anyway.

Of course I read it. My point was that you're thinking too much. Your head will always be wrong. Go with the one where your heart will thrive.

nietsdoen · 03-25-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRain

Of course I read it. My point was that you're thinking too much. Your head will always be wrong. Go with the one where your heart will thrive.

I don't know which one my heart is drawn to more. =p

Thanks, though. I should clear my head and do the coin thing.

holycrackers · 03-25-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nietsdoen

I don't know which one my heart is drawn to more. =p

Thanks, though. I should clear my head and do the coin thing.

Seems to me like you're more set on WWU. UW is a much better school, but I doubt I'll be the first to tell you that, in the quest for employment, the quality of your undergrad doesn't really play a huge role...it's definitely more dependent on your grades.

The same definitely cannot be said for law school, though! You should pick your undergrad based on which one you think you'll have a better time at.

Cheese96 · 03-25-2011, 05:30 PM

I say flip the coin. If you feel regret after the flip then pick the other one. :P

nietsdoen · 03-25-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holycrackers

Seems to me like you're more set on WWU. UW is a much better school, but I doubt I'll be the first to tell you that, in the quest for employment, the quality of your undergrad doesn't really play a huge roll...it's definitely more dependent on your grades.

Thanks. This helps. I smiled when I read the first bit, as in, you know I was hoping WWU was the one my heart was set on more.

newmichael · 03-26-2011, 02:46 AM

"For the record, I have visited both campuses, but have not gone on an extensive tour of either. I got a better feeling from WWU's campus, but UW's campus is very beautiful, however walking across it takes 3X longer, and I still have that same intuitive feeling about UW in general."

Which school has the better pizza? That's the one to go to.

03-25-2011, 06:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
nietsdoen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 611	Which university should I attend? I've received acceptance letters from both the University of Washington (which was a bit of a stretch because of my GPA -- average GPA of admitted freshmen is 3.75) and Western Washington University (second best public 4-year in my state solely in terms of GPA - 3.57 for admitted freshmen). I know what I want to major in, because I've done 2 years full time at a community college in a program we have for high school students. Creative writing and probably studio art as well. Both schools have these programs and although I can't find much in terms of ranking, the University of Washington is mostly known for its medical school and science programs, not so much in the liberal arts, so WWU and UW are probably about equal for what I want to do. Still, I think UW has more of a reputation with employers. At first I decided on Western because it's more of a "hippie" school (and the surrounding city is also very hippie, relative to other cities), you might say. It's a personal thing, but it's a definite plus. Finances either way are not a concern. I also like the fact that Western is closer to recreational opportunities in nature -- that's important. Generally, the people there and the fact that it's so environmentally conscious seem more me. On the other hand, UW gives me a certain feeling I can't quite describe. It's very large (but the classes I'll be taking won't be the ones with 100+ students), and that's a con, but there's just something about it I can't explain. After initially deciding on Western, last night I had a dream where I kept going, "The University of Washington.. there's just something about it. What is it? If I had to choose between WWU and UW, I would say UW." And in the dream it was a feeling of certainty. Still, Western has more spiritual groups -- groups that are not affiliated with any religion and just seek consciousness expansion, while UW being much larger doesn't have anything like that, which says something about the people there and where I might fit in more. On the other hand (again), UW is very accessible to downtown Seattle, which I would love to explore over the next two years. For the record, I have visited both campuses, but have not gone on an extensive tour of either. I got a better feeling from WWU's campus, but UW's campus is very beautiful, however walking across it takes 3X longer, and I still have that same intuitive feeling about UW in general. My ambivalence is very plain to see. Please help me with this decision. The deadline is May 1st, and I'm very bad at putting decisions off until the last minute.

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03-25-2011, 07:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
RedRain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 627	You're probably going to pick the wrong one, so go with the one you want.

03-25-2011, 07:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
designAlignment Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 33	Could also try "timelining" to get impressions... First think of what you want out of it - what you want to experience and how you want to feel. Do your best to quiet your mind and release your emotional attachments to the choice (this is the hardest part). When you're emotions are calm and your mind is clear, imagine making once choice and tune into sense how you feel 1 week after starting at that place. Then imagine attending 1 month and let the impressions flow again. Then 3 months, 6 Months, 1 year, 2 years, etc. Then imagine making attending the other university and repeat the process. Trust that if the choice is important, you'll have a clear impulse in that direction. Either way, you create your reality, so it doesn't really matter which one you take - you can always just "make a decision and then make it right."

03-25-2011, 08:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
votoshka Family Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 2,547	I visited the University of Washington once (when I went to the US and stayed with a family in Seattle for a few days hehe), and it looked really nice However... I can't really give you advice about which to attend. I think you need to go with your gut instinct!

03-25-2011, 05:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cheese96 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: IN Posts: 504	I say flip the coin. If you feel regret after the flip then pick the other one. :P

03-26-2011, 02:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
newmichael Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 20	"For the record, I have visited both campuses, but have not gone on an extensive tour of either. I got a better feeling from WWU's campus, but UW's campus is very beautiful, however walking across it takes 3X longer, and I still have that same intuitive feeling about UW in general." Which school has the better pizza? That's the one to go to.

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