Help Me Choose a School to Finish My Degree Please!

[fingerguy]

None of the above. To me this is like tattoos, if you can't pick one on your own, don't do it.

 

[Justinvs]

What about it was a culture shock if you don't mind me asking.

It was a combination of a lot of things. Keep in mind she comes from a town with a static population less than 200 people, had graduated the eighth grade with five in her class and high school with under a hundred students, the sheer influx of people in Eugene was pretty dramatic. Couple that with the fact that instead of the honor dorm she was supposed to be housed in they put her in the weed party dorm so she opted to get off campus housing even though she had never lived alone before. Also, the social/political orientation of Eugene is so far left of scale compared to her worldview it just became overwhelming.

She loved the campus, though. Hated the traffic.

 

[viribus]

Not to ask such an upfront question, but is it a stuck up city? When I was 22 I visited LA when I was moving for an old job and the people my age and others as well seemed really stuck up. People back in Queens and Reno were a lot more down to earth. Sorry, I know it's a broad question to ask.

Hmm. I don't think it's "stuck up" at all but I'm not sure exactly what you mean. As I said, Eugene-proper is politically left-leaning. There's not a whole lot of open discussion or acceptance of conservative views unless you choose your circle of friends carefully. Probably not as bad as Portland though.

 

[Funky Ghost]

My oldest daughter is finishing her masters at UoO. She, and I, couldn't be happier with the area and jobs available while she attends as well. Housing is affordable and crime is manageable ( but her car has been broken in to 3 times in 4 years! ) The music scene is pretty lively too.

 

[JN8642]

I'd say UOregon is the only world class research university on your list. Such places provide potential opportunities you simply won't get elsewhere, but they are large and it is up to you as an undergraduate to be ambitious and take advantage of it. Easy to be another face in the crowd otherwise. Getting involved in research at such a place that is relevant to what you want to do can be really important, regardless of what it is you want to do.

Eugene has an aging hippie vibe--it's not snobbery, but there is an element of "more organic than thou" to it. However, with so many undergraduates, I'd guess the student body is pretty diverse and you should be able to find your niche.

Yeah career services is a huge thing to consider. Also, picking a city that you might considering staying in semi long term to work your first job is great advice. It'll make an easy transition to gain your much needed entry level experience.

That's what I'm thinking too, I know a lot of people who find their first job in the city they graduated in.

 

[JN8642]

None of the above. To me this is like tattoos, if you can't pick one on your own, don't do it.

I'm not unsure, I just wanted to hear some opinions

 

[JN8642]

Hmm. I don't think it's "stuck up" at all but I'm not sure exactly what you mean. As I said, Eugene-proper is politically left-leaning. There's not a whole lot of open discussion or acceptance of conservative views unless you choose your circle of friends carefully. Probably not as bad as Portland though.

I just mean like a "better than you attitude", I asked my old boss whose from Salem, OR and she said it isn't stuck at all either which I'm happy to hear.

 

[JN8642]

My oldest daughter is finishing her masters at UoO. She, and I, couldn't be happier with the area and jobs available while she attends as well. Housing is affordable and crime is manageable ( but her car has been broken in to 3 times in 4 years! ) The music scene is pretty lively too.

How was the loans/scholarship and financial aid process if you guys went that route?

Edit: And by that I mean was it a complicated process?

 

[Funky Ghost]

My daughter actually did get a loan ( which I'm paying, of course but wanted it in her name to boost her credit rating Leg up on life and all that ) She also had a partial scholarship for music. The initial process for the loans was quite easy actually. We had a career counselor walk us through the entire process when she was fresh from High School. There were several grants she qualified for but not all are created equal, she passed on the Pell, which is somewhat ubiquitous I suppose.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

What is your major?

 

[guy n. cognito]

What is your major?

He mentioned English.

To the OP: you've been given a lot of decent advice here on HOW to pick a school. No one, especially strangers on the internet, can actually pick your school for you. Visit the schools, evaluate the towns, do your research, and pick the one that best fits your needs (needs which really can't be quantified in a few paragraphs).