Lewis & Clark College Reviews

No Greek life here! There are...

No Greek life here! There are usually a couple off-campus parties on the weekends withing walking distance or a short drive or bike ride.

Varsity sports here a not very...

Varsity sports here a not very serious. The football team is shameful. Basketball, crew, and volleyball are OK and actually do well in the conference. Club sports are pretty popular and much more fun. Athletics are a great way to meet people around campus and travel around the Northwest.

First semester, I think...

First semester, I think predictably, was a pretty big adjustment period. I liked L&C, but wasn't crazy about it---it was stressful in many ways, from the social life to the school work. Now in my second semester, however, things are really starting to gel. Habits will have to be altered a little from how you did things in high school, and it's definitely both a blessing and a distraction to have your friends around you all the time. I've found that it's pretty easy, though, to strike a good balance between partying and studying if you don't over-exert yourself in either direction. I'd recommend a PE class or yoga, too, to keep yourself in balance. Lewis & Clark has not let me down. As my friends will attest, I love to bitch about the school (they do, too), but we all have an amazing time smoking as we watch the sun set over on gorgeous South Campus (where the grad schools are), pregaming on the Raz (school bus service) as we head to a party in Sellwood, or shopping, studying, going out to eat---whatever.

The light rail (the Max) is just...

The light rail (the Max) is just as easy and convenient as any subway system (though you have to wait outside in the drizzle instead of down in a warm--and dirty--subway station), and there's a bus to take you anywhere the Max doesn't reach. Bonus: If you're alone on a bus after 7 p.m., the bus driver will let you off anywhere along the route if you request it, not just at bus stops.

You can usually find a place to...

You can usually find a place to print unless it is right before a class and everyone is trying to do things last-minute. Sometimes the printers get flooded with people trying to print, so basically you either have to plan ahead or go to one of the other less-frequented computer labs.

Overall, I really like LC. I think...

Overall, I really like LC. I think if you attend one school for four years, it is inevitable that you will notice some flaws. The academics are great, and there are fewer than usual dumbasses because you have to be relatively smart to go here in the first place. However, if you want to slack and are OK with getting Cs, you can do it. The campus is absolutely beautiful, but it is in the northwest, so yes, it does rain quite frequently. The people are very friendly, but it can feel pretty small sometimes. Portland is amazing; without it, LC would be lacking. The best times are when the weather is great: everyone is outside, whether it is just laying, reading, or playing soccer, Frisbee, or guitar. That's when you feel the sense of community.

Sports suck here, to put it...

Sports suck here, to put it mildly. They're more for fun, although practices are long and take place every day. The atheletes may take themselves seriously, but the rest of the school doesn't. There's active intamural sports, though, if you're into that.

They are decent. Some of the...

They are decent. Some of the buildings are old, but none have serious problems or are falling apart. The academic buildings are technologically well set and pretty nice. Dorms could use some work, but they update something every year.

I love the campus. It is...

I love the campus. It is absolutely beautiful. Even though it rains a ridiculous amount of the time, I would choose this campus over and over again for the beauty alone. Also, my experience with my professors has been awesome. They make themselves very available, and try and be personal rather than the withdrawn academic.

We don't have frats or sororities,...

We don't have frats or sororities, which everyone here loves.

Varsity sports aren't that big,...

Varsity sports aren't that big, but then again, the school is much more cerebral than jockish. However, if you do sports, as they're pretty small, you'll get to know your teammates pretty well and easily. Intramurals aren't that big, but you can see the gym full of people most nights of the week. We might not be the biggest sports school, but we do keep fit.

Students at LC should definitely...

Students at LC should definitely bring their own computers, but you could possibly get by without one. In the library, the computers can get crowded very quickly, but in Dubach, it's generally OK. There is Wi-Fi on most parts of campus.

Next year, due to budget issues,...

Next year, due to budget issues, they're cutting the Pioneer Express between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and the Sellwood shuttle to SE Portland completely. If you really need to get downtown when the Pio isn't running, the #39 Tri-Met bus will still run. Portland's public transportation is fantastic. The Tri-Met Web site is really helpful, and if you have a good sense of direction, you can get almost anywhere in Portland from Pioneer Square.

Sometimes the dining hall ("The...

Sometimes the dining hall ("The Bon") is a little inefficient, but if you dare complain about the food, you are a spoiled little diva. They make us great food all the time---I love it. Even the nights when it looks like there is nothing good to eat, you will find yourself surprised at how much you are enjoying your meal. The only problem you run into is the huge lines that form when they're serving something really great. We have a little convenience store called Maggie's that will fill all of your hunger needs when the Bon is closed. Lots of organic treats, coffee drinks, juices, and baked goods---it's perfect for curing the Munchies. The paninis are to die for.

Portland gets a little chilly in...

Portland gets a little chilly in the winter, but usually stays between 35 and 40 degrees. The fall and spring bring gorgeous weather that has the entire student population outside. While it does rain in the spring and fall, when people talk about the copious amounts of rain in Portland, they're referring to the winter. It will literally rain for a week straight before you see the sun again. However, it's a nice light rain and never severe thunderstorms or torrential downpours. If grey, wet weather gets to you and you're susceptible to SAD, Portland's probably not for you. Portlanders are willing to deal with the rain because of how gorgeous the nice days are. It makes it worth your while.

There is no Greek life here, which...

There is no Greek life here, which for some was one of the draws about LC.

There are some restaurants in...

There are some restaurants in Burlingame, which is about a 30-minute walk (or five-minute bus ride) from Lewis & Clark. Chez Jose has pretty good Mexican food. I suggest splitting the two-burrito plate with another person---it's a gigantic amount of food. Other than that, there is a Subway, a Starbucks, and Pappacino's coffee house. Most of the great restaurants are downtown, a 30-minute free ride on the Pioneer Express. There's a great sushi place right by where the bus drops everyone off at Pioneer Square.

It was hard for me to adapt here....

It was hard for me to adapt here. LC has a distinctive feel, and it can be difficult to get in the groove with. The weather was weird, and the culture had different values. It was challenging at first, but once I started to understand the way things flow here, I really started to gain a deep appreciation for the school. LC was the best decision for me. I have gained a lot from coming here, and I would have it no other way.

Athletic facilities are nice and...

Athletic facilities are nice and underused. The fitness center is awesome. The library is large and convenient, but it could use more group study rooms. Templeton (the main student center) is out-of-date. The cafés spread around campus are nice.

Lewis and Clark does not have a...

Lewis and Clark does not have a Greek system.

There are lots of great ethnic...

There are lots of great ethnic places to eat. Since you're close to Portland you have a lot of options. Also, the city caters to vegetarians and vegans; every menu has a section specifically for these types. The school has transportation right to Pioneer Square, and Habibi (Lebanese) and a good Japanese restaurant are both cheap and within a block away.

It depends on who you surround...

It depends on who you surround yourself with. There's parties off-campus, and people do smoke weed and such, but that's like any campus. If you dont want to be around it, just say so. The people on this campus don't really pressure people into doing what they don't want to.

Personally I like the food. Most...

Personally I like the food. Most people will disagree, though, and if you can't go a day without meat and junk food, you might have to buy food on your own at Fred Meyer. If you're vegan or vegetarian or like to eat healthy, the Bon will probably be your haven for that lifestyle.

Off-campus housing is convenient...

Off-campus housing is convenient and less expensive than school housing. It is definitely worth it.

The dorms are dorms. Except for...

The dorms are dorms. Except for the Green Floor, Copeland feels like a prison, though it has an awesome common room. Platt is very artsy and quirky, and they have wireless. Hartzfeld is pretty awesome but only for Sophomores, while Forest is like chill little enclaves of people. In Forest, there is the co-op, which is one of the best places to hang out/do homework on campus.