University of Washington
- Academics

Excellent Program

UW is one of the few institutions in this state that has a medical technology program. The professors and advisors are helpful and always available to provide extra assistance if needed. Facilities are great and classmates work as a team.

Many Subjects, but Getting Into Basic Science Courses Hard

Originally, I planned to major in biology. The problem is, the school didn't accept my AP biology credits (but still advances me to junior standing one quarter early because of them) as part of their Biology 180 series. It's nigh impossible to get into the 180 series, especially as an lowerclassman - the classes fill up very quickly. The same applies to all the other general science courses: chemistry and physics being the main offenders. Freshmen get the option of choosing "FIG" class packages (I made the mistake of taking too many credits on top of my FIG first quarter).

There's an Honors program which offers interesting classes (if you can get in) that aren't graded too hard, but because of my choices first quarter, I got kicked out. I was also unable to schedule match Honors classes because I was taking the Physics for engineers series.

The grading system for most science classes is typical test and lab-centered. Beware of microeconomics 200 - it's not curved (depending on your teacher).

CLUE is a multi-subject tutoring session that goes on from 7-12 Sunday-Thursday in Mary Gates Hall - they have free (well, it probably comes out of your tuition) candy as well.

UW has a 24-hour (at least Sunday-Thursday) library called the Odegaard, which has quiet rooms and computers. Each dorm also has a study area.

Biology: Challenging and Large

The undergraduate biology major is one of the largest and most popular ones in the university. Classes are extremely large and help is always available but not forthcoming. There are plenty of opportunities for tutoring and other activities, but they must be sought out. The first two years are large lectures with difficult classes, if you get through those years then you have a lot more freedom with class choices and will begin to see the same people over and over in your classes as well as feel more comfortable with the professors.