Advice for a soon-to-be college student (Seattle, Vancouver: headhunters, job market, transfer to)

[Unyx]

Hello, everyone! First time poster here!

First off, I am 17, and in about a few months I will be moving away from my small town in Alaska, North Pole, (yes, seriously) to go start my life, and enroll in college. I've been accepted into a few schools across the country, including UW, the Evergreen State College (in Olympia) and a few others in Washington.

I've only visited Seattle once a few years ago, but I absolutely loved it while I was there and UW seems to be a decent school. It seems like a good option. I'm also considering schools in Portland, San Fransico, Texas, and Florida. How does Seattle compare to other US cities? Unfortunately I've never been out of the state too many times. Is Seattle a good city for college freshmen? Do people enjoy living here? How's the weather? (again, coming from Alaska, so I'm pretty well adjusted to dark and cold) How's Olympia? What's the job market like? I'm going to be studying Computer Science; how is the job market for computer specialists?

I realize that these questions are pretty broad, but I'd appreciate your input. You guys seem to know your stuff. Thanks!

[StealthRabbit]

Do first few yrs at Bellingham Whatcom Community College :: HOME. then transfer to WWU. Too bad you didn't come to WA for HS... free 2yrs of college till age 18. http://www.whatcom.ctc.edu/degrees-a...running-start/

UW Seattle is good for CS, but quite expensive. I would consider doing grad work there. (or a few hgiher level courses). Contacts would be worth it, but WWU is tough to beat for a GREAT college (low teacher student ratio, and GREAT profs and GREATER community).

Best of luck in your choice and move. Try to find some work in your chosen field. Many employers will pay for your EDU + you are getting experience. I have 5 degrees 100% paid for by employers. (Started @ age 17). VERY nice folks / employers in Bellingham, lot os accessible recreation and having Vancouver BC 1 hr away is delightful.

[Unyx]

Thanks for the advice!
Huh, didn't know about the Running Start program...wish I a high school student there!

Fortunately the money problem isn't so bad. My dad is active duty in the Army and the GI bill will pay for 18 months of my tuition and give me a housing allowance!
I will look into WWU, it looks like a good school. Did you go to school there?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Unyx

...I will look into WWU, it looks like a good school. Did you go to school there?

I only wish I could have... (I was caring for a sick parent from age 18 till 50+, and lived out of state while doing college & Working & farming)

Several of my co-workers are WWU alumni (a very custom program, only a couple in USA). They are well educated, well paid, and in demand (always getting calls from Headhunters).

One of my kids did WWU. His group of college 'buddies / roomies' are awesome and still really close after several yrs.

Everyone I know LIKED it... THAT is very rare, and I'm sure not everyone considers it superb. (it is pretty good for WA, but the other options all have merit too)

Wherever you head...Know your major, know your future, know your profs, be engaged BEFORE you sign up.

(and know where the alumni are employed, and consider if THAT is where you would be happy / successful)

[StealthRabbit]

BTW: Be conscious of the 'HUGENESS' fo the U / program. Coming from AK, you may find yourself LOST in the numbers. Seriously ,I find Jr Colleges GREAT training ground for U. MUCH cheaper and the thing I like MOST is the diverse age group / background of learners. MANY U 'freshman / Sophmore' situations are High School all over again. I would not do well in a freshman math class of 500 freshman students sitting in a lecture hall being taught by a prof's assistant (slave). While a Jr College will have 20 students in similar class taught by a Prof (who likely spent a career in industry rather than a theory hall), and there will be 30-50% of the students who have already been in industry / jobs / military and they are there to LEARN and contribute to the success of their classmates and school. (not so at a U)

I cannot express how worthless I felt HS was (YMMV), The LAST thing I want is to be 'stuck' within my age group. Probably an over compensation by me, since I grew up with my grandparents as my primary leaders (and I was on a remote farm, so few 'peers').

Each person has their niche. Carefully choose yours, as it WILL reflect in your success / progress.

[duckieee]

What about WSU? It's a decently smaller than UW, and has a really close knit community feel campus wide. A lot of students are involved within the community/school and it is a wonderful experience. All of my classes there except maybe Chem and Bio were around 25 students, and it was easy to communicate with professors. A lot of kids come down from Alaska and love it in Pullman. It's definitely smaller than Seattle and actually has 4 distinct seasons. It's also really easy to get around in - the transit system is wonderful!

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Unyx

I will look into WWU, it looks like a good school. Did you go to school there?

For a relatively small school (compared to UW), WWU is a really good school with very diverse course offerings. I wish I'd done my first couple of years there, myself. But UW is good, too. Evergreen State College is a very small alternative school. If you're Alaska Native, the UW and Evergreen have a good-sized Native student body and support and cultural amenities for Native students.