Does UW have good student life/social opportunities? (Seattle, Lynnwood: fit in, home)

[ipod99]

I just got accepted to the UW. Yaaay! I'll be a 28 year old college junior transferring from a community college. I know UW is a huge campus with alotta students, and from what I've seen on their website, there are options in terms of student life/on-campus involvement or activities. But I just want to ask some of you who know, who've either attended UW or are enrolled there now. Does the UW have some fun, social opportunities aside from academics?

I've been to two 2 year schools so far, and they are both lame when it comes to student life. The one I'm at now has some stuff on campus, but I found all the clubs to be either boring and uninteresting or I didn't feel like I fit in with some of them. Plus there just aren't that many clubs and that much going on at campus.

Additionally, I want to ask:

Do the students at UW generally intermingle amongst different races or do they self-segregate like my comm. college?

Right now I live in Lynnwood. I'm going to sell my car and move back into the city. What's the best area in Seattle where I'll still be relatively close to alot (public transit, fast food, grocery stores, school, jobs)? Someone told me First Hill is pretty good.

[civic94]

I dont know, are you outgoing and love to meet new people?


there will always be different people at different schools. it depends on you


I actually had more fun being in a community college than at a university (I did the 2 year CC and last 2 at U route), I knew more people of different ethnic backgrounds and we talk at a same level at the CC. When I went to the university, it was just too much people/too big. if all you think about community college is that people self-segregate, then at UW its going to be the same.

[RunTheDistance476]

What do you mean by "student life" specifically? I know a lot of students are from Seattle and go home on the weekends, but I am sure at least half of the school doesn't.

[ipod99]

Originally Posted by civic94

I dont know, are you outgoing and love to meet new people?


there will always be different people at different schools. it depends on you


I actually had more fun being in a community college than at a university (I did the 2 year CC and last 2 at U route), I knew more people of different ethnic backgrounds and we talk at a same level at the CC. When I went to the university, it was just too much people/too big. if all you think about community college is that people self-segregate, then at UW its going to be the same.

I'm not saying that's all ppl do at community college, but there is alot of it going on at mine and everybody there knows. But race aside, at my community college it is generally pretty difficult to meet new ppl, make friends, and find ppl to hang out with.

[ipod99]

Originally Posted by wlw2009

What do you mean by "student life" specifically? I know a lot of students are from Seattle and go home on the weekends, but I am sure at least half of the school doesn't.

Student life as in social events and clubs on campus. And just in general opportunities to meet new ppl, make friends, and find ppl to hang out with.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by ipod99

Student life as in social events and clubs on campus. And just in general opportunities to meet new ppl, make friends, and find ppl to hang out with.

Well... yes, there are lots of different clubs and social events, you can't go wrong. Your experience is what you make of it. If you find yourself in a position where you find UW social atmosphere boring, bland, difficult or whatever, either you're doing something wrong or you're just not a real social person (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Congrats on making it into UW and treat yourself well at Northlake Tavern.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by ipod99

I just got accepted to the UW. Yaaay! I'll be a 28 year old college junior transferring from a community college. I know UW is a huge campus with alotta students, and from what I've seen on their website, there are options in terms of student life/on-campus involvement or activities. But I just want to ask some of you who know, who've either attended UW or are enrolled there now. Does the UW have some fun, social opportunities aside from academics?

I've been to two 2 year schools so far, and they are both lame when it comes to student life. The one I'm at now has some stuff on campus, but I found all the clubs to be either boring and uninteresting or I didn't feel like I fit in with some of them. Plus there just aren't that many clubs and that much going on at campus.

Additionally, I want to ask:

Do the students at UW generally intermingle amongst different races or do they self-segregate like my comm. college?

Right now I live in Lynnwood. I'm going to sell my car and move back into the city. What's the best area in Seattle where I'll still be relatively close to alot (public transit, fast food, grocery stores, school, jobs)? Someone told me First Hill is pretty good.

Actually they have quite a large student activity center on the campus. You can get yourself involved in all kinds of activities. Then, of course if you join a fraternity, it's nothing but wild parties, -if that's your purpose for going into college. I'm sure dormitories have their parties too.
I got enough social activity when I was in graduate school, just within the School of Art, where I got my MFA. Actually, most of the different colleges within the UW complex are not all that large and you will have the opportunity of aquiring close friendships with like minded students with common interests that can last you the rest of your life.

[ipod99]

Thank you all for your input. I'm glad you responded to this topic. Now somebody answer my last two questions.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by ipod99

Thank you all for your input. I'm glad you responded to this topic. Now somebody answer my last two questions.

Originally Posted by ipod99

Additionally, I want to ask:

Do the students at UW generally intermingle amongst different races or do they self-segregate like my comm. college?

Right now I live in Lynnwood. I'm going to sell my car and move back into the city. What's the best area in Seattle where I'll still be relatively close to alot (public transit, fast food, grocery stores, school, jobs)? Someone told me First Hill is pretty good.

There is intermingle among race, but there are also lots of cliques around.

As for the second question, that's been answered several times on this forum. The usual answers are U-District, Capitol Hill, Lower Queen Anne, Wallingford, Ballard, even SLU/Eastlake. It depends on budget and what you're looking for in vibes. First Hill is kinda strange as it's pretty dead in terms of energy and all... but I guess since it's really close to Capitol Hill someone would bring it up.

[Apathizer]

Originally Posted by civic94

I actually had more fun being in a community college than at a university (I did the 2 year CC and last 2 at U route), I knew more people of different ethnic backgrounds and we talk at a same level at the CC. When I went to the university, it was just too much people/too big. if all you think about community college is that people self-segregate, then at UW its going to be the same.

I agree - I enjoyed my two years at cc much than the two years I spent at the UW. The teachers at cc were much better, and much more interested in helping me learn when needed. I also enjoyed having a wide variety of ages at cc.

ipod - There are certainly opportunites to socialize and make friends at the UW, but it was my experience that you have to take the initiative. Unfortunately, I was working way too much when I went to the UW, so didn't have much time to socialize. [I actually didn't need to work so much, and I now regret I didn't focus more time/energy on school.]

You're about the same age I was when I went to the UW, and to be honest I think it's kind of an awkward age: You're older than the typical UW undergrad (18-24), but younger than the middle-age students who are going back to school after an extended absence. This isn't to say you won't meet cool people, but it might be a little more difficult.