University of Portland: How is it?? (transfer, neighborhood, private schools) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

missionhome · 01-31-2009, 07:09 PM

Hi Portland Forum Members!

My son was accepted to the University of Portland a few weeks ago. He did apply to it as a safety school and he was also accepted by class rank to UC-Davis, Santa Barbara, and Irvine earlier in the year. He also got the $64,000 President's scholarship so that is a big incentive for lowering tuition (although the UC system in CA is about equal to UP's post-scholarship cost). He needs to wait until March/April to get decisions from the rest of the universities he applied to. My son was excited to get accepted and applied because he wanted to have some schools to consider that had a smaller learning enviornment and not 10,000 plus students like the public universities or large private schools like USC.

So I was wondering if anyone on the Portland forum can maybe give some quick background about the quality of the education at UP and its reputation, student life, whether it is public transport friendly, and preparation for post-undergraduate schools.

If it is relevant, my son plans on majoring in the biological sciences and wants to apply to medical school to become a doctor.

Thank You so much for any advice you can give on UP. Hearing real opinions helps over relying on the beautiful brochures from schools that make everything look like paradise.

karlsch · 01-31-2009, 08:02 PM

You probably have already done this, but if you look here:
National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report
you will notice that the three California schools you mentioned are in the top tier and are rated among the best public universities in the United States. Look here:
Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report

If you look here:
National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report
you will see that Portland State is in tier 4, the bottom tier.

missionhome · 01-31-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlsch

You probably have already done this, but if you look here:
National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report
you will notice that the three California schools you mentioned are in the top tier and are rated among the best public universities in the United States. Look here:
Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report

If you look here:
National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report
you will see that Portland State is in tier 4, the bottom tier.

He got into University of Portland, not Portland State though. UP is ranked 9th in the West for "Master's Universities."

So, anything about University of Portland?

karlsch · 01-31-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missionhome

He got into University of Portland, not Portland State though. UP is ranked 9th in the West for "Master's Universities."

My mistake,

sorry about that!!

Blindtom · 02-01-2009, 10:39 AM

We looked at UP when my D was applying. I thought it was a nice campus and friendly students. Catholic. She chose to go somewhere else, but we both liked UP.

EnricoV · 02-01-2009, 09:42 PM

My father is an alumni of UP. But that was a long, long time ago!

It's a nice campus. Located in North Portland, in a lovely neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River, but beyond that area, the housing is on the lower-end socio-economically. It's not all that close or convenient to downtown Portland. Public transportation to the campus is good. I think that it's probably the college most suited to biking in the Portland -- wide, flat streets in the area. The school itself seems to have a real tight community feeling. It's not a flashy or showy school. They're probably best know for their Soccer - the Women's team, in particular.

Nell Plotts · 02-03-2009, 01:34 PM

UP is a nice Jesuit school but not one that would catch a recruiter's attention.

Much depends on your son's intended major. UC Davis is a very good institution. If I had to choose between them for a general liberal arts education UC Davis would probably be a better value... BUT Davis is a big school.

Did you consider Santa Clara? My daughter is a graduate of that University. They do a very good job creating a student community and have excellent relationships with employers in the area. A couple of her friends attended CA State schools (community colleges as I recall), then transferred their Jr year because tuition isn't cheap. I wouldn't try that without coordination with their admissions folks, however.

Every one of my daughter's classmates that I know transitioned to the professional world smoothly. Daughter has done very well.

Private colleges and universities will get a double whammy from this financial mess. Their scholarship trusts took a huge hit and many parents can't swing or the higher tuition.

robertpolyglot · 02-03-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

UP is a nice Jesuit school but not one that would catch a recruiter's attention.

It's not a Jesuit school. It's Catholic, but not Jesuit.

Generally, the smaller private schools are better for getting personal attention in a major such as pre-med that would be foreboding and alienating somewhere else...like at a UC school, unless your kid is ultra-brainy and can handle a cutthroat environment. I wouldn't say it's the best Catholic university, but it's ok. The sense of community is probably pretty good. I would think Notre Dame or Georgetown might be better, but then add the tuition costs to the costs of living far away. Ouch...not for the faint of heart.

Nell Plotts · 02-03-2009, 05:48 PM

My bad. The University of Portland is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. Santa Clara University is a Jesut institution.

I have the same concern that you voice about UC schools which is why I suggested Santa Clara.

FWTW University of Portland has a very good nursing program.

robertpolyglot · 02-04-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

which is why I suggested Santa Clara.

Yes, it's safe to say that Santa Clara is the best Catholic university west of the Rockies. The rankings bear that out, and it noses out Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga. The "bad parts" are that it is expensive to go there and expensive to live in that area. Also, Santa Clara uses the quarter system which is worthless compared to the semester system (my opinion).