University of Washington Reviews

Pretty Good

speed's nice/ it can get hard to find a computer sometimes but its okay

Way worth it. I live in an...

Way worth it. I live in an apartment now, and it's a block away from campus. I'm loving the location by the Greek system, so I have a lot of social opportunities as well!

UW parties are primarily in the...

UW parties are primarily in the Greek System. Basically, if you're a girl, you have it made. Girls may attend frat parties, yet do not have to be a member of the Greek System. Guys in the dorms or apartments can only go to frat parties if they are on the list or know someone there, etc. If you want to attend frat parties a lot as a guy, you have to pretty much join a frat. There aren't too many bars or clubs near UW; that's more of a downtown thing. House parties happen as well, but you have to know people.

Security on campus is good, yet...

Security on campus is good, yet considering there is no way to separate students from the rest of the world, there is a lot of crime. It's more important to not put youself in a postion to be one of these victims. I would not recommend walking about campus alone or after dark. There are blue safety call boxes around campus with help buttons, and the UW police promises to be there within two minutes if it is pushed. Keep your doors locked to avoid theft.

There are no parties on campus....

There are no parties on campus. College Inn (great on a cold night for a game of pool and a pitcher of beer), Earl's (cheap and stiff drinks), Finn's (karaoke), Fournos (great music, and their lemonade is amazing) are all great spots on the Ave.

Definitely worth it. The...

Definitely worth it. The University District is surrounded by college students and has everything you need. We have our own neighborhood, but we're also really close to the rest of the city. Housing can be competitive if you're looking for something very specific, but in general, housing is readily available. Apartments, duplexes, frats, houses are all options.

Lately there has been a lot of...

Lately there has been a lot of crime near campus, although mostly coming from people outside of the student population. On campus, I feel pretty safe, though some of the surrounding areas are a bit more sketchy. The UW police department and SPD have increased their patrols of the area.

There is quite a bit of off-campus...

There is quite a bit of off-campus housing avaliable early (April or May), but it fills up fast and is on the expensive side. The farther from campus you get, the nicer places seem to be and the less they seem to cost, although paying $500/month for a room in a house is much better than paying $450 for an apartment that's closer.

You will have never appreciated a...

You will have never appreciated a sunny day properly until you have spent a fall/winter/spring in Seattle.

The dorms have been consistently...

The dorms have been consistently ranked in the bottom 10 in the nation. Many of them were designed by an architect who did most of his work in prison design.

Greek is huge at the UW. Rather...

Greek is huge at the UW. Rather than getting lost in the massive student body of 30,000, it gives you a chance to have more of an intimate connection to the school. Parties are great, but you pretty much have to be Greek to be included. It's the best way to meet a ton of people at the U.

Always carry an umbrella....

Always carry an umbrella. Californians who come to UW for college are usually amazed at the frequency with which it rains, whereas those who have lived in Washington their whole lives are completely unfazed by it. There are a lot of nice sunny days that tend to be overlooked, particularly in the spring, and occasional snow flurries in the winter that can be fun. As for clothing: jeans, running shoes, a good coat, and some sweatshirts. The look tends to be laid-back and more casual, especially when school is in session.

I won’t lie, it rains a lot here,...

I won’t lie, it rains a lot here, and it can be cold and windy. A typical day is a cloudy day. Don’t expect to see the sun too much during the winter. The summer and early fall are beautiful, though.

From my experience, drugs are...

From my experience, drugs are around but not in excess. There are groups who do stuff, but really everyone just sticks to drinking.

I know that all Greeks won the ASU...

I know that all Greeks won the ASU elections, and I know that they do a lot of very social activities compared to the rest of the University. The Greek scene is big here at UW. Everyone is very accepting of each other, though. It’s not like if you meet someone, and they’re in a sorority and you’re not, that they’re going to ignore you or anything.

Bring various stuff, not just cold...

Bring various stuff, not just cold winter gear, unless you plan to go camping in the winter or skiing. It doesn’t rain as much as people say, but it can get cold and occasionally snowy. But the summers in Seattle are beautiful.

If you like the Northwest’s...

If you like the Northwest’s weather, you’ll love Seattle. There is plenty of rain and good sun during the summer. Bring winter, rain, summer, and spring clothes.

I think the level of interest in a...

I think the level of interest in a class is almost directly related to who the teacher or professor is. I’ve taken classes where the course content could have been far more interesting and engaging had the instructor been able to make it so and been able to keep my attention. Especially in long lectures, make sure you get into a class you are willing to sit through.

I grew up in Montana, so Seattle...

I grew up in Montana, so Seattle is a big change for me, but definitely one for the better. I really love it here. I like to go to Gas Works, downtown, and the Seattle Center. I think the culture here is great, and Seattle is pretty clean for a big city. I definitely feel safe on campus at night, and the eclectic atmosphere leads to some pretty diverse people. Coming from a small town, I appreciate this diversity.

The campus computing is excellent,...

The campus computing is excellent, and I have had no experiences where the computers have shown technical errors. The reason for having your own computer is due to the fact that everything is on computers. From e-mail to registration, the UW is almost entirely based around its Internet network. It can be a pain to utilize the campus computers for all your network needs.

The new buildings on campus are...

The new buildings on campus are very nice and very current on the latest technologies. Some of the older buildings are very stark and dungeon-like. The athletic center has nice facilities, but it is always very crowded.

At UW, there are tons of computers...

At UW, there are tons of computers for people to use, lots of eating areas and, of course, a huge athletic building where you can do tons of stuff.

I absolutely, positively love the...

I absolutely, positively love the fitness facilities at the UW. The IMA has given students every reason in the world to get fit. It is free, and the facilities are first-rate. Also, the Washington Yacht Club is well-suited for providing students with cheap fun on the water. Otherwise, I’d say the UW is good at supporting students. The facilities are generally above average.

As far as meals go, there are...

As far as meals go, there are plenty of options on campus. What I have found, though, is that eating on campus is not at all economically sound. By grocery shopping and eating on the University Avenue (the Ave.), I have saved an average of $300 a month over eating on a meal plan.

The Avenue (right by the...

The Avenue (right by the University) has many eating places. You can get Mexican, Asian cuisine, Bubble Tea, Pizza, Indian, and go to a coffee shop, or simply eat at a small burger hut.