University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA, USA

Reviews

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Rosie from Tacoma, WA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I am excited to attend UW Tacoma because I have heard exceptional recommendations about the science faculty which is the program that I am majoring in. The professors require you to work hard and apply yourself and if you want a good grade you can't help but study and learn! Their science program is very strong so if you are looking for that major then your have many wonderful classes to chose from.
Will enjoy being here
University of Washington-Tacoma has a beautiful campus. Set on a hillside in down town Tacoma, you can sometimes catch a glimpse of sunshine on water as you climb the terraced stairs to class. Speckled throughout with small trees, the grounds are full of places where you can sequester yourself to study that ever present homework!. You are within walking distance of quite a few restaurants and cafes, one of which is located directly on campus.
Bang for the buck
Tuition for instate residents is very affordable, roughly 7,000 a year for a full time student. They offer a myriad of scholarships, and their financial aid office is especially helpful, although they can be hard to reach the couple months before classes start. They also collaborate with local community colleges to accommodate place-bound students whose classes are not offered at the Tacoma campus.
Tips for prospective students
I would highly recommend visiting the campus and meeting with an advisor. They are extremely helpful, and knowledgeable about the school, and have excellent advice to give those who need a bit of direction. You have a much better chance of being accepted if you apply early in the year, and once in, make sure to register for classes as early as you can.
Great for these types of students
Because it is a newer branch of the University of Washington in Seattle, Tacoma campus is smaller, and more personal. It doesn't have as large classes which enables your professors to work more closely with their students. Its caliber of education requires that you are dedicated to your studies, so don't expect to be able to dawdle about on homework.

Kevin from Ravensdale, WA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The teaching staff at the University of Washington - Tacoma has been top-notch for me so far. I have taken classes in Literature, Mathematics, History, and other varying categories and each professor has delivered an interactive curriculum enabling students to learn both in and out of class.
Am enjoying being here
If you want a party school, this is probably not the place for you. If you want a small-school environment with big-school education tools and resources, this is a great place to be. The location is convenient and near many of the attractions Western Washington has to offer.
Bang for the buck
Before applying, I spoke to a few job recruiters independent of the school and asked them if a degree from one of the private universities nearby was of any greater value to them on a resume than the University of Washington. Across the board, they agreed that an education from the UW was just as valuable as a private school, and at a fraction of the price!
Tips for prospective students
Definately consider the University of Washington and the Tacoma campus if you are local. If not a local, you may have a better experience at the Seattle campus.
Great for these types of students
Already in the workforce and returning to school
Prefer small-school atmosphere

Josef from Auburn, WA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Although my grades were sub-par throughout high school and my community college years, I managed to get accepted into UW Tacoma, and let me say, I love the school. I would highly recommend it to those students living in the Tacoma area and don't want to drive up to the Seattle every morning. The class sizes are small, roughly 20-30 folks per class, so you'll receive individual attention as well as a better learning experience.
Tips for prospective students
Join clubs, meet people, study hard. It's a college experience, enjoy your time here.
Academic Rigor
Overall about the same you'd find anywhere else, as long as you put in the effort you'll do fine.
Dorm Life
I don't live in a dorm, I really don't know from first hand experience, but from what folks tell me the dorms costs roughly the same as an apartment in downtown Tacoma. It probably isn't a terrible place to live if you're away from home.
Food and Dining
There is a pavilion towards the waterfront with a load different places to eat.
What to do for fun
Tacoma is on of Washington's largest cities, there is always something to do here.
Bang for the buck
It costs about the same as the Seattle campus, but I think it's worth it for the sake of smaller class sizes.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The school used to be a bunch of businesses. Some buildings still kept their name (ie. The Mattress Factory). Most of the buildings are brick buildings, they look like they came straight from the early 1900s.
Great for these types of students
If you had a rough education background, bad grades, etc. This UWT is a great place to go to if you'd like to start fresh. As long as you're willing to put in the extra effort the curriculum isn't too grueling. Those that like smaller class sizes (as opposed to the Seattle's campuses 300+ students per class) will really like it here.
Clubs and Activities
There are a bunch of different clubs available, there'll always be at least one that you'll fancy.
Greek Life
I haven't heard of any frats at UWT, but then again I haven't really looked into it.
Campus Safety
Haven't had much problems besides the occasional parking ticket. But I guess campus security were doing their jobs.

Joe

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
university of washington-tacoma has a beautiful campus. you are within walking distance of quite a few restaurants and cafes, one of which is located directly on campus. tacoma campus is smaller, and more personal.
Tips for prospective students
check out the school web-site, it has a lot of information about the campus. if you can visit, that would be great.
Academic Rigor
professors are cool and work you hard. they also are very helpful. there are lots of resources for academic success.
Dorm Life
dorm life is nice. campus is great. students are easy going.
Food and Dining
great cafes and resturants in the area.
What to do for fun
ruston way. point defiance. mattress factory is a great hang out
Bang for the buck
tuition is not that bad.

Liana from Federal Way, WA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
the uw tacoma campus is beautiful and unique in that it is right in the heart of tacoma, washington creating a truly urban campus experience. another thing that makes it unique is that it is a commuter campus, meaning that very few students actually live on campus and most students are transfers. one of the things i like best about this school is that you can get a great, highly recognized education, while still getting a small school feel, without actually being secluded.
Tips for prospective students
the biggest tip i can give a new student is to take one of the new student tours that they offer. all the buildings where classes are held are actually renovated old store buildings, for example the mattress factory building where you can find the cashier's office, did in fact use to be a mattress factory. many of these buildings are one building with multiple names, so it's important to have an idea of where everything is, otherwise it's all too easy to get lost.
Academic Rigor
the uw tacoma campus is just as rigorous as the main seattle campus. personally, i've been in college for the past three years, so at this point it doesn't seem all too hard, grant there are those moments with teachers or homework or peers that just makes you want to pull out your hair--but hey that's college. it is comforting to know that my degree is the same as someones who graduated from the main campus, even though it was less competitive to get in.
Dorm Life
it's not that dorm life is actually bad, but rather that there are very few dorms to begin with. while most students do commute to the campus, that doesn't mean that there's any shortage of on campus events. students are very social and friendly, and there's always someone new to meet.
Food and Dining
because the campus is right in the middle of thriving tacoma, there are plenty of places to eat. besides the many coffee and snack shops in the school, there is starbucks, subway, taco del mar, and a cute gyro shop very close by. if you're willing to walk just a bit further, there is a hello cupcake (i cannot recommend this highly enough), thai, japanese, pizza and candy shops all within a block of campus. the food is a definite plus!
What to do for fun
there is the tacoma art museum right across the street, and a plethora of small shops around which are a blast to explore. plus there are on campus events like movie nights, dances, tie dying, and so much more. personally, for me fun means eating, so if you share a similar passion i suggest reading about food and dining :)
Bang for the buck
if you life close to campus and are willing to make the commute, this is a great deal because you can save on boarding. my tuition each quarter has been $3,445 or so, but i also got a scholarship so i only pay $2,445 a quarter for full time. in my opinion that's really super awesome, so if you utilize this site and others like it to earn those scholarships, yeah i think this school has a great value.