One of the oldest public universities on the West Coast, U-Dub , as it’s informally known , attracts its roughly 31,000 undergrads with a strong commitment to undergraduate research, rich diversity — about 41 percent of students are white; 14 percent come from abroad — and proximity to some of the nation’s leading tech companies.
Starla Sampaco, a senior from nearby Bellevue, Washington, was drawn to the school because of its diversity and vast array — more than 180 — of majors. She chose journalism with the ultimate goal of covering immigrant communities. UW had “an inclusive learning environment that could support what was really important to me,” she says.
The university ranks No. 1 in the nation for federal research funding among public schools, and undergrads can start working in the lab as early as freshman year. Roughly 25 percent of the student body undertakes a serious research project, in fields from history to bioengineering, and students can present their findings to their peers at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The calendar divides into three 10-week quarters plus an optional summer term.
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One drawback of the school’s size, students say, is that you may have to work to establish close relationships with your professors, and getting acquainted with all the activities and resources available can be overwhelming.
“No one is holding your hand,” says John Dahl, a 2017 grad from Bellingham, Washington. He was on track to be a biochemistry major before he realized business was his passion after starting an online marketing and sales business with some fraternity brothers. The academic resources available at UW made the transition easy, he says.
The average class size is about 50 students, although upper-level classes are smaller. The largest lecture hall seats 750.
On the other hand, there are all those opportunities: the richly varied academics, some 800 student clubs and more than 50 sororities and fraternities, not to mention unparalleled access to internship and job opportunities at the nearby headquarters of big-name companies like Google and Microsoft.
About 75 percent of students live off campus, and the school has a sizeable commuter population. However, two-thirds of freshmen do live in the residence halls , and three new dorms will be completed in 2018.
On nice days, a central gathering place is Red Square, where student groups set up tables and tents to promote their organizations. The square is surrounded by Gothic-style buildings — Suzzallo Library’s Reading Room is widely considered a masterpiece of college Gothic architecture .
And on a rare sunny day, a walk down Rainier Vista, just off the square, provides a stunning view of the snow-topped mountain. Japanese cherry trees bloom in the quad every spring — making up at least in part for the usual gray weather.
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Athletics are a big draw. The Huskies field 20 Division I teams. The rowing team is among the best in the nation, and UW holds the prestigious Windermere Cup event at Montlake Cut every spring.
UW’s PAC-12 football games are also popular. A new light rail station near Husky Stadium makes it easier for fans to get to sporting events and also puts downtown Seattle just six minutes away.
Construction is underway for more light rail stops to reach the U District neighborhood, where many students live. Popular off-campus excursions include Pike Place Market on the waterfront, nightlife in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and Puget Sound for beach bonfires.
UW now uses only the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success application — no official transcript or recommendation letters are required.
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This story is excerpted from the U.S. News “Best Colleges 2018” guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.
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Washington College Road Trip: University of Washington originally appeared on usnews.com