University of Puget Sound Reviews
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Jane from Portland, OR
04/21/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 1 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Relaxed students
Tips for prospective students Come visit Puget Sound! You won't know what it will be like to be here until you are here.
Bang for the buck Yes, it's very expensive. But your money goes not only to great professors, but other programs as well (such as Student Government, tutoring services, excellent facilities, etc.).
Am enjoying being here I have found a place for myself here, within my major and Greek life. There are many groups and clubs to get involved with, so finding a smaller group of people who share a common interest is not hard.
Am learning a lot I am learning a lot while here, and I enjoy my classes and my department. But, like any college, you will only get as much as you put in, so the harder you work the more you will learn. Sometimes how much you learn depends on the Professor, so ask upperclassmen during orientation, or upperclassmen in your major for their recommendations
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Jessica from Graham, WA
07/12/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 2 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students UPS is great for laid back and open minded students who have a fierce desire to get the best education.
Tips for prospective students My first tip for a prospective student is to not enroll here with preconceived notions of college life. What you read about and see on TV or witness during other college visits is not what happens here. University of Puget Sound is a one of a kind place where everyone is accepted and embraced for exactly who they are. Every single student here is exceptionally smart and the academics are competitive, it is impossible to be the best so just be you.
Bang for the buck Expensive. Yes tuition here is incredibly high, but I feel that it is worth every single penny. I receive a very solid education from the professors I pay so much for. The tuition also allows for free tutors in every possible subject and more available office hours than you know what to do with. It is a great comfort to know that the help is always there if you need it (even at 11pm the night before a project is due). While it does become a bit stressful figuring out how to make ends meet right now, I know that now and in the future I will be thankful for this top notch education.
Am enjoying being here The campus and student body are small at UPS and this allows for a close knit community and almost family atmosphere. I personally love everything about this campus and the friendly disposition that everyone seems to have. I always feel welcomed and at home when on campus, something I feel is very important to the college experience. I'm entering my Junior year and I have no desire to go anywhere else.
Am learning a lot In my Freshman year I learned the hard way that High School study habits don't make the cut here and I am better for it. UPS makes you work hard for what you want to achieve, but the professors also know how to make it interesting. I was worried that college courses would be straight lecture then hours upon hours of studying later, but here it is a very cooperative learning process. There is a lot of class discussion and plenty of office hours to further talk things over with your professor. I never thought I'd be able to learn so much so quickly.
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Matthew from Medford, OR
01/29/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 5 people found this review useful. 3 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students anyone looking for a liberal arts education
Tips for prospective students make sure to keep your GPA up and study for the SAT hard.
Bang for the buck while it is fairly expensive, it is a very good education
Am enjoying being here i have made friends here that i will surely stick with for life. there is a great atmosphere to learn and to have fun.
Am learning a lot you will not find a university with more support from professors and student services. they are always willing to answers all questions and are very efficient at teaching their classes.
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Madison from Kihei, HI
07/03/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 4 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students I really think any type of student could come here and really enjoy it!!
Tips for prospective students If you're struggling, really go and talk to your professors. They will be there for you 100%. Puget Sound is really great about choosing their professors, they also do evaluations every few years to make sure the students are enjoying them.
Bang for the buck I have to say, coming from a very low income family, University of Puget Sound is on the expensive side, and it has been very hard for me to get scholarships. However, even though right now I'm a little afraid of how many loans I'm going to be working on paying back when I graduate, I think I'll look back and feel like every penny was worth it.
Am enjoying being here I love being at the university along with Tacoma. Tacoma is a great college town; you have a ton of family and great neighborhoods surrounding the university so I've never felt unsafe walking home from someone's house back to the dorms or vise versus. The campus is beautiful, it looks like the colleges used in movies as dorky as that sounds, with the red brick buildings and the ivy growing up the walls, I absolutely fell in love. The social life is wonderful, Puget Sound really works hard on making everyone feel welcome whether you're living in the dorms or you are a few miles away from school living at home with your parents.
Am learning a lot I am studying vocal performance and receiving a BM at the University of Puget Sound. I am currently a junior and transferred from NYU to UPS last year. I have to say, compared to NYU, you would think that UPS would be a breeze... well it's not. The classes are kicking my butt, but it makes it all worth it. The professors are amazing, along with the class selection, and you'll never walk away from a day of classes without feeling like you've learned something. All and all I feel like in the one year I've spent at University of Puget Sound I've learned so much, and I can't wait for the years to come.
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Carrie from Beaverton, OR
02/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 5 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety as long as you're careful, you should be safe. one of the biggest problems i've noticed is students letting strangers into dorms, and the strangers then go around looking for unlocked dorms with no one in them and steal their laptops and other valuables. therefore it's important to keep your dorm closed even when you go to the restroom--bring your keys. and it is totally acceptable to ask people waiting by doors to be let in to show their ids. if you're off-campus late at night, security services can escort you home. if you have a bike and don't have a u-lock, get one--bikes are stolen about once a week, and they're usually unlocked or sometimes cabled. u-locked bikes are rarely stolen. other situations do arise, as they do basically everywhere, but not very often. the campus seems to handle security problems very well.
Greek Life apparently milder than most schools' fraternities and sororities. i can't speak for the greek life much because i'm not interested in it myself, but i know several people who didn't expect to get involved in it and did anyway, so it might be worth it for you to check it out.
Clubs and Activities i haven't personally attended many of them, but from what i've seen and heard, they seem plentiful and growing, and lots of fun. there are quite a few clubs you might not expect.
Great for these types of students ups' strongest programs are international political economy, biology, english, business & leadership, and psychology. they have strong international programs as well and some students are now (successfully) working to get an arabic program off the ground. it won't be a major/minor for some years, but it's coming into the limelight. this school is great for students interested in those and similar subjects (theater and art also seem popular), and for those who love the outdoors, want a small campus community, liberal arts classes, and value education. this school is also very amenable towards those who like sports, but while athletics are popular they are not exactly the school's strong spot.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus every year, the graduating class carves its year onto the handle of a hatchet unearthed near campus in the early 1900's. that is, when it hasn't been stolen--it's disappeared for years on end before.
Bang for the buck it's definitely expensive, but especially if you can get good scholarships--i'm going here for less than it would cost to go to my state school alternative--it is totally worth it. cool people, great academic programs, great support programs (disabilities services, career and employment services, the center for health and wellness services, etc. are all very helpful). i can't say much for the social scene, but if you're paying for a solid education, that's what you're going to get, on a beautiful campus and great location (if you don't mind the cold and rain--tacoma does have some glorious sunshine!). just make sure you check with other students about the classes you want to take, because some professors are much better than others and will get you a lot farther more easily.
What to do for fun campus films plays a new movie every friday; the asian studies department shows a few asian films throughout the year; puget sound outdoors does cool hikes every weekend; there are tons of clubs and fun recreational classes; there are lots of concerts and musical functions in a variety of styles; weekend parties; hanging out with friends--i'm probably missing a lot of things because i don't typically go out to do very much myself. and if you want to get off campus, the mall, downtown tacoma, and beautiful point defiance (park/zoo/aquarium/garden/beach) are just short bus rides away.
Food and Dining as i said above, the food may seem old after a while, as you'll find lots of the same flavors even in varying dishes. but the choices are pretty broad, and it's very high-quality, especially for college food--and largely vegetarian/vegan. we have pasta, burritos, asian food, a table just for vegetarian/vegan options, a hamburger/fried fare grill, sandwiches, soups, and an awesome pizzaria with a very small convenience store downstairs. if you need anything else, there are several grocery stores within easy walking distance.
Dorm Life i can't say much about the dorms because i'm living in the foreign language and culture house, the freshman theme house. it's a great experience, living in relatively private space with only 12 other people as opposed to some hundreds. but from my experiences in the dorms so far, there's definitely a good amount of space and cleanliness, and the floor communities are pretty cool. all dorms have a few lounges with comfy chairs and pianos, some of which are really nice. i've made some good friends by hanging out in other dorms' lounges and drawing on whiteboards, playing piano, or just joining in whatever else is happening.
Academic Rigor coming from the ib program, the workload here is about the same if not a little less than what i had in high school. that is to say, you're definitely not going to get by slacking, and procrastination will often come around to hit you in the face, but as long as you treat your academic career here with respect, you can get by without too much stress. the classes are generally far more interesting as well. you might have a few hours of homework each day, but often you'll still have some time for socializing, clubs, etc., if you want. just be careful with your time later in the semester. of course, this is coming from an introvert. some students seem to socialize or be in activities all day and still get their work done. just take care to balance your time at first and you can adjust it as needed later.
Tips for prospective students if you really want to go to this school, apply for early decision. do this only if it's your first choice, but if you're at least decent student with some good credentials, you're almost certain to get in. also be sure to visit campus if you can. this goes for any college, but it's always a good idea to take a tour so you can see more of the details of daily college life and of course ask questions to students.
In three sentences the campus is small but beautiful, the classes and professors are (mostly) fantastic, and the food is healthful and largely sustainable. it may get old by the end of your first year, but compared to most other schools, the food here is gourmet--especially if you're vegetarian or vegan. there are great study abroad programs, the dorms are pretty nice and spacious, and there are tons of opportunities for fun things like hiking, sailing, and watching some of the interesting and amusing performances the students put on.
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Juliette from Tacoma, WA
03/04/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 6 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety i feel completely safe walking around campus at night, however there have been countless robberies in dorms and off-campus houses and tacoma has somewhat of a bad rep once you get a few blocks away.
Greek Life there are 4 fraternities and 4 sororities. the process is different than other schools in that students can only join after their second semester of freshman year. until then, freshman are not allowed in either the frats or sororities.
Clubs and Activities personally, i've participated in varsity volleyball, repertory dance group (never danced before), luau, s.a.a.c (student athletics and academics committee), sailing team, cooking club, and have been published in crosscurrents (student literary magazine).
Great for these types of students student who love to learn, who love the outdoors, who are willing to work hard, who like seeing familiar faces, who are adventurous, who don't complain about the weather, and who are creative.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus some sayings are tacoma aroma when the manufacturing mills give off a weird smell, tacoma goggles when students lower their standards for potential mates, t-loc aka tacoma local, and hipsters
Bang for the buck university of puget sound is expensive unless you get scholarships, which the school works hard to give. it worth every penny.
What to do for fun take a ferry to vashon island, go sailing, rent snow shoes, bike the five mile loop in point defiance, drink coffee at an artsy cafe, participate in the repertory dance group, join puget sound outdoors or cooking club, watch a local band, watch a famous band, watch a street performer, go to the farmer's market, walk along the water front, eat fresh fish, pick blueberries, bring a t-shirt to the wayzgoose printmaking event, camp at vantage, sell something at the student market, watch a $1 campus movie, watch the banff film festival, taste chocolate at the theo chocolate factory, take an seattle ghost tour, explore!
Food and Dining i remember my campus tour when my guide was talking about dining services. she said something about the standard deviation regarding students getting sick is about two weeks longer than other school. to put plainly, the food is pretty hard to get sick of.
Dorm Life the dorms themselves are quite nice in the brick-laid tudor gothic style buildings. there have also been many new renovations and buildings include common areas, a kitchen, and all of the essentials. they are within a short stride to the sub or student union building where the cafeteria is located.
Academic Rigor university of puget sound, being a liberal arts college, places great emphasis on its cross-disciplinary structure and intimate campus setting, making for an interactive learning environment.
Tips for prospective students your education is what you make it. the university will certainly lead you in the right direction, but ultimately, it is up to you to join a club, immerse yourself in tacoman culture, explore the surroundings and integrate into the community. looking back my only regret is not exploring tacoma more often and more intimately.
In three sentences there are days when it will be raining and you will have piles of homework and a to-do list the length of shopping receipt, and you will ask yourself how you got tricked into attending this school, but then, there will be moments when you will have a completely unique experience that will make-up for all the dreary days put together. you may find yourself on orcas island with the sailing team or shaking your hips during the school-wide luau or snow shoeing on mt. ranier or watching street performers at pike place or volunteering at project homeless connect. you may find yourself talking to a local entrepreneur or handpicking blueberries or riding the ferry to the tipi camp on vashon island and that is when you will know that you made the right choice.
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Madeleine from Altadena, CA
05/10/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 7 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Even in the middle of the night, I've never felt like my safety wasn't important at Puget Sound. Security is always just a phone call away and they are always willing to go above and beyond for their students. Whether it be to walk you across campus at night or pick you up across town because your car battery died- security will always been there. Security has never let me down and always made me feel like my safety was the most important priority.
Greek Life Unfortunately, I am not a part of Greek Life but I do have a variety of friends who are involved in it. I do plan to rush for a sorority in the Spring 2013. All my friends that are involved- both in a Sorority and a Fraternity- love being a part of it. The Greek Life at Puget Sound is not stereotypical or what one would usually expect of Greek Life, it is welcoming to all kinds of people and extremely understanding and caring to all members. A friend of mine told me that at the beginning of rush, sororities ask your opinion on drugs and alcohol and if you are strongly against using them/have never used them- the sorority doesn't force you to drink or participate in drug usage. That statement made me so happy to know that they were so respectful and understanding.
Clubs and Activities UPS has a large variety of clubs on campus from BGLAD (the LGBT club) to Veggie Might! (a club for vegetarians/vegans), there is a club for everyone. We even have a circus clubs which invites people to come and learn moves such as tight rope walking and other various things. In the beginning of the school year, we have an event called Log Jam which has all the school clubs out on an open field, allowing all students to come and learn about/join as many clubs as they want. There's so many to choose from, it's hard to not be involved with all of them.
Great for these types of students At Puget Sound, I have met people that I never thought I would. There are people from all over the nation and all over the world. This is one of my favorite qualities about UPS, that there is such a large variety of people here. There is no one type of person at UPS, there's just a very eclectic group. One thing that is so great, is how understanding everyone is at the school for all walks of life. Puget Sound has a great LGBT community and is very proactive for equality. Everyone I have met there is so understanding and welcoming, no matter who you are or where you come from. It's a great place to not only learn about so many people and backgrounds, but to be accepted and loved for your own.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus UPS has a variety of little nooks and crannies- as long as you are willing to go look for them! One wonderful thing on campus is Oppenheimer Cafe. It's a cafe with walls that are made entirely out of glass. In the winter, they heat the brick floors and the cafe becomes somewhat of a reverse snow globe. It's a great place for both studying and socializing. Some other great places on campus are the Cellar (our on-campus pizza place), Diversions Cafe, and all the various lounges sprinkled around campus.
Bang for the buck One big worry about Puget Sound is just how expensive it is- it's a pretty pricey school. But I think it's absolutely worth it. Puget Sound has not only become my school but my new home. The dorms are absolutely beautiful with spacious rooms, a kitchen in every building, and laundry on every floor. The class rooms and class buildings are fantastic and the cafeteria food is absolutely amazing. The sub is always serving a variety of dishes and has so many stations to chose from- I've never gotten bored of the food. Although UPS is expensive, it is more than worth it.
What to do for fun Puget Sound is located in the middle of the residential area of Tacoma. This is great for safety and for feeling like part of a community, but this can also be bad if people are looking for night/city life. If someone is really looking to go out for the night and have a good time- Seattle is a pretty short drive away. But if you want to stay in town/on campus, there are so many options for that, as well. One of the buildings on campus has an underground movie theatre that plays movies on the weekends for just $1. Also there are always a ton of events happening on campus- ranging from school dances to stand up comedy- something is always happening on campus. Another thing that never fails is to just be with your friends. Having friends at Puget Sound is crucial, there are the key to having an amazing college experience and always having fun.
Food and Dining One of my top three favorite things about Puget Sound is the food. The sub (the school cafeteria) has stations in which students can choose to get food from: Italian, Latin America, Asian, Vegetarian/Vegan, The Grill, Chef's Table, The Deli, and the salad bar. UPS always has a variety of meals and dishes that are being served- I've never gotten bored or sick of the food there. Not to mention that every thing is delicious. I always enjoy and look forward to eating at the sub.
Dorm Life I love dorm life at UPS. I loved the dorm that I lived in my freshman year- the rooms were spacious and had great furniture. The bathrooms are always clean and there are laundry rooms on every floor. I lived in the only dorm on campus that was co-ed by floor (meaning that there was an all girls floor and all boys floor) and usually the dorms are co-ed by door. I loved living in a co-ed by floor dorm. I felt like part of a family with the girls on my floor, it was great because I felt like I was good friends with each and every one of them. There was a lounge on the third floor (which was a boys floor) and going there to study or socialize was always great. Everyone was always so friendly and outgoing- I always felt welcome. I've been in all the dorms on campus and each and every single one was so unique and so beautiful. UPS's dorm life is really top notch.
Academic Rigor UPS offers a large variety of great classes. Classes such as Ancient Greek (which I've taken!), Latin, classes on the Extraterrestrial and even a class on Lord of the Rings. While these classes sound amazing and interesting, the definitely aren't a walk in the park. Puget Sound's classes can be hard- but they are such great classes that they make you want to do all the work that they require. Every professor I've had this year has been amazing. They are so wonderful to their students, they always make themselves available to help students and always have the students best interest in mind. I felt like the classes I took pushed and challenged me- but in a way that I loved. I learned so much during my first year at Puget Sound and I am so eager to learn more.
Tips for prospective students Be outgoing! A great thing about UPS is the orientation program. They give you a full 10 days to great acquainted to the campus and living away from home. A tip for new students would be to use every one of these 10 days to help you! Use it to get yourself out there and meet people because friends will become your life at UPS. The hardest thing for me about college life was being so far away from my family and my home, it was such a drastic change in such a short amount of time. First semester was harder for me because I was afraid to get out there and meet new people. Second semester was so much better because I taught myself to be outgoing and friendly to everyone I met. That is my biggest tip to freshman: to not be afraid that you're going to be on your own, you have to learn to be both self-reliant and self-sufficient and to make a LOT of friends! They are the key to surviving the sad and stressful times, and are an essential part of college life.
In three sentences UPS is the most welcoming, understanding, accepting, and loving community I have ever a part of. It is a place for challenging your mind, enriching your soul, and discovering yourself. Puget Sound is not only my school, but it is my home.
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Jer from Los Angeles, CA
06/27/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 8 of 21
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Beautiful, beautiful campus and expansive catalog of courses and majors. If ever in the WA area again, I would love to apply here.
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Jinkyong from Tacoma, WA
06/28/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 9 of 21
Categories Comments Am enjoying being here students are very friendly. I was afraid of not making any friends, but that wasn't a problem because the University tries to help students make friends.
Am learning a lot As a liberal arts school, I am taking various interesting classes that I would have not taken if it wasn't required. I just took a SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) and it was very interesting. After taking this class, my view of SETI completely changed. This class looks at the perspectives of different professionals (biologist, evolutionist, etc). I have always thought aliens were fake and I didn't believe they existed. After taking this class, I got to learn more about the field.
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Cravixtha from Tacoma, WA
03/06/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 10 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety campus is very safe.
Greek Life only about 5-6 fraternities/sororities.
Great for these types of students good for students with a wide range of interests.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus we have the obelisk, which is in the center of campus and has all the years of graduating classes on it. we also just built commencement walk, which goes from the library to the stadium.
Bang for the buck well worth the money, although i wish tuition was slightly lower.
What to do for fun many different clubs and organizations on campus, downtown tacoma has many parks, restaurants, and activities.
Food and Dining many options for lots of different dietary restrictions, and decently high-quality food.
Dorm Life very safe, organized, and friendly environment.
Academic Rigor most, but not all classes are very rigorous.
Tips for prospective students make sure you actually want to go to a small school, and be prepared for lots of rain. also, tuition is very expensive.
In three sentences puget sound has a beautiful campus, rigorous classes, and a wide variety of majors. it is ideal for students wanting to pursue multiple different things. it is also great for students who have many extra-curricular interests.
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Beth from Spokane, WA
10/06/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 21
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Don't get behind!!!
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Brendan from Washington Island, WI
12/28/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Students who are interested in: - Becoming involved on campus - Actually being able to interact with the Professors - Sciences (This field is pretty strong here) - A friendly environment - A liberal arts school Overall, I think that this school has something for every student.
Tips for prospective students Just be aware that the style of classes and work load in college is very different from high school. Classes are much more demanding, especially math and science classes. Other then that, you should be just fine.
Bang for the buck Puget Sound is kind of expensive, but the school is very good at providing financial aid. This is especially true if you're in financial need. The administration and staff are very helpful to the students. As a small school there are some drawbacks, but all in all I think that this school can be affordable and is worth the price.
Am enjoying being here I certainly enjoy being here at Puget Sound. The campus has a very nice academic feel and look to it. There is a very nice and inviting environment here as well. As a student I have always felt welcome at Puget Sound, and I enjoy both my academic work and personal time that I am spending in college.
Am learning a lot Most of the classes that I have taken were very educational, informative, and interesting. The professors are all very invested in their work, and are all willing to help their students. Classes are demanding, but I definitely feeling like I am learning a lot. Small class sizes ensure that the Professors are more connected to their students. There are also plenty of opportunities to conduct research here.
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Shannon from Tacoma, WA
04/28/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
13 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life There are currently three fraternities and four sororities.
Clubs and Activities There's the college radio station, KUPS, and a variety of Student Diversity organizations, religious clubs, fraternities, sororities, sustainability/alternate lifestyle clubs, etc.
Great for these types of students Interested in post-grad degrees, doctoral degrees, scholarly research, conservatory style school of music education, inclined to long hours of study.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The Arboreum behind the library, and the Midnight Breakfast after the last day of classes.
Bang for the buck Depending on if you get enough scholarships and find a part-time job, is definitely worth the time but college is always expensive.
What to do for fun Free music concerts, lectures, talks, conferences, movies, film-viewings, etc. In downtown Tacoma, there's the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, theatre district and also the Point Defiance Park and Zoo. Seattle is a 45 minute drive away.
Food and Dining Pretty decent food.
Tips for prospective students Apply for scholarships, live off campus after your first or second year.
In three sentences Exceptional liberal arts education, rigorous academics, good part-time job opportunities while in school, and excellent school of music.
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Kimberly from Utah
07/25/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
14 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety You will not find a safer campus then Puget Sound. It's a small campus and there is help everywhere.
Greek Life The Greek community has been a part of the University of Puget Sound for over 50 years. Being a member of a Greek organization provides students with opportunities to be active within the campus community, as well as the community at large. Members participate in activities that include academic organizations, student government, clubs and organizations, athletics, social projects, and many others. Puget Sound owns seven Greek chapters in which students may live after their freshman years. The houses are located just across from the university on Union Avenue. There are 3 Fraternities and 4 Sororities.
Clubs and Activities Puget Sound offers tons of clubs and activities for all walks of life. There is no way you will not find something you like.
Great for these types of students Puget Sound is a great school for the hard working student who finds themselves to be arty and an environmentalist.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus They have a very cool freshman orientation. Students are taken on a three day adventure and are able to test their skills in hiking, camping, sea kayaking and so much more.
Bang for the buck While the school is expensive you will truly get an amazing education at Puget Sound. If you did well in high school they will be generous with their money as well so you will be able to come. They added on a work study for me when I asked too. They want to make sure that you can come and learn without worrying about the money.
What to do for fun Puget Sound has lots of different clubs to get involved with that cover a wide area of interests. There are free concerts all the time too. Also Puget Sound has greek life and a great student government that you can also get involved with.
Food and Dining The food at Puget Sound is pretty good. The dinner area is nice and there will be someone friendly to sit with all of the time.
Dorm Life Everyone gets a room but all freshman living in two to three to a room and community bathrooms. They offer different living environment like coed halls or coed floors.
Academic Rigor Puget Sound had an 8% acceptance rate this year and this private school offers hard classes where students can grow into worldly learners.
Tips for prospective students If you're looking for a small, liberal arts school where the competition to get it is tough but the students are real and kind, this is the school for you. Puget Sound offers a rigorous classes in a small learning environment where you will know your teachers by their first name.
In three sentences Puget Sound is a friendly environment where everyone seems to know each other. Students there are helpful and want to see one another succeed in their personal area of study. The campus itself is beautiful and promotes learning at the highest level.
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Douglas from Burien, WA
08/02/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
15 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety There are always security guards patrolling the campus which makes you feel safe. If you are leaving the library late on night and want to be escorted to you dorm, all you have to do is call. There are phones posted all over campus that go directly to the security office.
Greek Life There are three fraternities and four sororities on campus. These are not the usual stigma that many of us think of when we think of Greek like. Enforcement of the minimum GPA is strict and most of the time a house will post a better overall GPA than some of the varsity sports teams. A large percentage of the campus is affiliated in Greek life in some way.
Clubs and Activities Our campus has many clubs and activities to become involved in. Even if there is something you are interested in and is not yet a club, become a pioneer! Bring that club to our campus. All it takes is a written proposal and one of the professors to be the advisor for the club.
Great for these types of students Puget Sound is great for students that learn well in small classes. Since the average class size is between 18 and 20 people, you will definitely get personal attention from professors where they get to know you on a first name basis and truly care about your education. They even motivate you to attend class daily.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus During reading period which is a few days given for studying before finals week, the SUB serves breakfast at midnight for students that are up studying late. It is a great way to relieve some of the stress that comes along with the upcoming finals.
What to do for fun Since the campus is near the bay, many students drive to the water for the scenery. There is also a few shopping centers that are not far from campus. There is Tacoma Central which has restaurants, shopping stores, and much more. The Tacoma mall is also close to campus which has many of the nationally renowned department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's. There is also movie theaters that you can go see a motion picture at.
Food and Dining The SUB offers many different types of cuisine daily. There is a station for Italian, Mexican, a grill, sandwich station, vegan, Asian, and much more. Not only is the food delicious but it is not unheard of to mix and match your meal. You might be in the mood for teriyaki chicken with some linguine. The combinations are endless. There is also a pizzeria on the floor below the SUB that serves wings, ice cream, pizza, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
Dorm Life Dorm life is great. Everyone is interested in not only meeting but connecting with people that live in their halls and forming lasting relationships with them. Since it is a small campus, everyone gets to know each other which makes it easier to adjust being away from home.
Academic Rigor Since you are interested in getting a higher education that is exactly what you will receive at the University of Puget Sound. This institution stresses the importance of being able to write proficiently. The rigorous curriculum that is in place is not to ruin your GPA. It is to challenge the mind's capacity for knowledge and to get you prepared for the world after you graduate.
Tips for prospective students Since Puget Sound does have high expectations for students and prospective students, it is imperative that you do well in your high school classes as well as taking challenging courses. Score well on your SAT and ACT exams and refrain from getting senioritis.
In three sentences The University of Puget Sound is everything that I was looking for in a school. The campus is beautiful, the professors are interested in the well-being of the students, and the student body is diverse yet still a very close community. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding education, Puget Sound is the school for you.
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Miss from WA
08/08/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
16 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Let me tell you right now, I can attest to the vigilance of the Parking Patrol at UPS. The parking sticker is free but I was too lazy to get it and 3 tickets later I have learned my lesson! There are always security vehicles patrolling the campus and there is a security office. I know that I have seen phones around in case of an emergency.
Greek Life I am not a part of Greek Life but I have some friends that are and they love it! The Greek Houses I have heard are a little on the cramped side but they have had fun enjoying the company of their sorority sisters and brothers and attending balls.
Clubs and Activities The University of Puget Sound has a WIDE variety of clubs and even The Club That Goes To Other Clubs so that you can feel around a bit. There are serious clubs like the Mathematical Society of Puget Sounds and there are fun ones like the Nerf Club, you just have to look around. Since it is such a small school it is easy to find people with like interests and get involved in the community.
Great for these types of students Many of the students at UPS have a great concern for the environment, so if you share in that passion you would fit right in. If you don't most people let it be, but someone may hassle you from time to time. I have also heard they have a great drama/music program and physical therapy program. There is even a practicing building on campus. Really, it's a good school for anyone who has a laid back personality but also wants to pursue academics seriously.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus In Oppenheimer there is that cool glass gazebo type building I mentioned earlier that houses a cafe. Also the local and renowned glass artist Chihuly has donated several pieces to the school, some of which can be seen dangling in a giant window at the front of the Wyatt Hall. It is quite spectacular.
Bang for the buck I am slightly biased in this matter because I have the strong belief that all universities are incredibly overpriced. However, it is worth it for a smaller school, I love the sizes of the classrooms. I do not want to be drowned out by hundreds of students which is in no way a problem at UPS, the biggest class I have had had 36 students in it. I honestly love that about this school! And as aforementioned the professors do take the time to be there for you, all have posted office hours during which students are welcome to swing in for a chat. In addition if you're not getting the help you need from the professors, each department has a set of tutors available for even more extra help.
What to do for fun Even though the location of the school is not prime for safety, it is in the heart of the city. Within 15 minutes of the school is Downtown Tacoma, which features a glass museum, art museum, a brand new car museum, and other attractions including Opera and Antique Alley. Students can walk right over to 6th Avenue which features fine dining, local bars, clubs, and a few specialty shops. Also nearby is Ruston Way, a waterfront area, Point Defiance Park and Zoo, Owens Beach, and Titlow Beach. For any shopaholics, if the boutiques are not enough, there is a Mall about 10 minutes away, which has Nordstrom, Macy's, Sephora, and many other shops. Tacoma has it all and UPS is located right at the pulse.
Food and Dining There are many dining options at the UPS, there is the school lunch area, two cafes, and The Cellar. The cafes make absolutely delicious and reviving drinks, one is inside a glass gazebo type building and provides an interesting environment and a nice study area. I haven't eaten much on campus but what I have had has been reasonably priced and tasty.
Dorm Life I did not live in the dorms on campus so my review of this aspect of the college is a compilation of what I have heard from other students. It seemed to me that the dorms were neither extraordinary nor were they awful. In the rare times it gets warm out in Washington I heard that they dorms could get pretty stuffy but at the same time they keep them nice and toasty throughout the long winter. I am not really sure how soundproof the dorms are.
Academic Rigor Academically this is a fine school but I have rated it with only 4 stars for a couple reasons. The courses offered are indeed challenging and cover a wide variety of interests, however the professors in each are not all up to par. I am a person who appreciates clear organization and build up of ideas and some professors are admittedly better at this than others. This could definitely be purely a matter of opinion but I think it's worth mentioning. The courses are intellectually challenging and engaging, many professors take personal care and pains to attend to each individual.
Tips for prospective students Do not let the pretty campus fool you, UPS is nestled in a kind of nook between the better part of town and the not-so-great part of town so be prepared for that. In addition, Washington does not rain nearly as much as people put on so it isn't necessary to go crazy on the rain gear.
In three sentences The University of Puget Sound is a beautiful campus located in the City of Destiny - Tacoma, Washington. The campus creates a cozy environment which is emphasized my small classrooms and a fairly tight knit community. The professors I have had were passionate in their subject and provided one on one care to their best abilities with their students.
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Jean from Olympia
01/10/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
17 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety T-town has is ups and downs, be intelligent and you will be fine. Campus has few issues excluding the awesome 2 am false fire alarms.
Greek Life Its there and prevalent, very different from big schools however, if you want to take part its easy and available, if you don't its just as easy to ignore.
Clubs and Activities VAVA now WEB is awesome for all the ladies out there, JuST is a social justice group that does amazing things and provides awesome opportunities to students on a regular basis. We have it all from a circus club, knitting club, puget sound outdoors club, to honors societies
Great for these types of students Be dedicated, be focused, and be ready to have a blast.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Get ready for Passages, its an awesome three day orientation out in the Hood Canal, with canoeing, hiking, arts and crafts the whole shebang.
Bang for the buck It is a pricey school, but scholarships are available, regardless it is worth every penny.
What to do for fun Explore. Point Defiance National Park, Mt. Rainier, Seattle, its all accessible and an awesome day/ weekend trip away.
Food and Dining The Sub is the Sub, you will need a break from it from time to time, but it will keep you well feed and thriving. 6th avenue has great restaurants so take the ten minute walk and explore Tacoma for a nice meal now and then.
Dorm Life Dorm life is great to start off, made my best friends freshman year, all of whom were my neighbor. Go to the school events, everyone wants friends, and its a great way to make them. The school is great at promoting new friendships.
Academic Rigor You will work hard, the max 4 courses suggested is there for a reason. The school is very challenging, however if you make the effort there are more than enough resources to help you succeed.
Tips for prospective students Get to know your professors, they truly want you to succeed and are always willing to help. Get out into Tacoma, although campus life is awesome, there are countless amazing opportunities outside of the school.
In three sentences The school is astounding. It is amazingly challenging, however the faculty, students, and school are supportive beyond belief. Attending was the best decision I have made so far.
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Savy from Tacoma, WA
03/11/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
18 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun Nightclubs are close by right on 6th Ave and walking distance from each other.
Food and Dining Close to 6th Ave and they have Farmers Market in the warmer seasons!
Tips for prospective students A must see campus. Very pricey college, but definitely a motivational school.
In three sentences This campus is beautiful! I walked around the campus and it definitely felt like a college campus where as some colleges just look like commercial buildings. Easy to navigate around the campus
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Bridget from Albuquerque, NM
03/19/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
19 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun Living right next to Seattle, there's always something new to do. However, you don't always have to leave campus for fun. The school has an outdoors program that has trips planned almost weekly. If you're not an outdoors person then there are usually plays or concerts or some interesting activity happening on campus.
Food and Dining The food is great, and there are many options even for those on special diets. There is an entire section dedicated to vegan/ vegetarian, and there are plenty of gluten free options.
Dorm Life Dorm life is great. It's convenient, and you are more fully emerged in the community and social life. There are many dorm options available, themes, suites, houses. etc
Academic Rigor It's as hard as you make it. The science and music department are crazy. The rest are about average. The academic rigor is enough to get you to learn the material , but there are enough resources that you won't fall behind.
Tips for prospective students Schedule a visit. There are overnight or day tour options. Keep in mind that you do get the most out of an overnight stay and you can attend a class.
In three sentences The price of attending is is high. However they do give a bunch of scholarships. There are so many opportunities for leadership, extracurricular and academics, that is wroth it.
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Chalee from Kihei, HI
03/23/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
20 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus is super safe! There are always security guards patrolling around day and night.
Greek Life The Greek Life here is excellent! I am in a sorority here and I love it. The greek community is very tight knit and everyone is amazing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Definitely check out the Cellar! It's the pizza place on campus. They also have a store that you can pick up snacks from in case you have late night munchies.
What to do for fun Go to the park! Pretty much the only thing to do in Tacoma.
Food and Dining The food here is pretty decent but it gets old after a while.
Dorm Life Dorms are dorms, what can I say? Some people are disgusting but you have to live with them anyway.
Academic Rigor For some of the science classes, the workload is heavy but for other classes it isn't as bad.
Tips for prospective students If you are not from Washington (like me) I suggest you bring some warmer clothes.
In three sentences The campus is gorgeous and the teachers are very approachable. I've only had one bad experience with a teacher. The classes are challenging but definitely do-able!
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Brandon from Tacoma, WA
03/30/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
21 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun There a variety of things to do for fun ranging from playing intramural sports to pick up games for Frisbee or soccer on the fields in front of the dorms. this campus also encourages club activity with a variety of clubs on this campus.
Food and Dining The dining facility offer varieties of different foods. Food is prepared fresh everyday and is quite delicious. There is a lot of seating within this facility and more than ample space for the whole campus to eat.
Dorm Life All of the dorms are quite nice. There are dorms for people of all class years and they are kept cleaned at all times. All dorms are comfortable and will become your home away from home.
Academic Rigor Academics here are quite challenging. Be ready to use that mind of yours to absorb knowledge like a sponge. As long as you study hard, you will do fine.
Tips for prospective students Apply to this school and come with the intent to learn. Classes are small so you will have the attention of your professors.
In three sentences This University is amazing. Beautiful Campus surrounded by a very nice neighborhood.
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