University of Washington - Seattle Reviews

"I am beyond frustrated with this school. Everything is capacity-constrained: the majors, the events, the clubs. It feels worthless being here and trying to expand as a person. Unless you are an extrovert, good luck. I honestly feel stifled, unsafe, and sad here. The academics are good, but socially it sucks."

"Going to UW is (and will hopefully remain) my greatest regret. If given the ability, I would scream at my younger self not to go. Basically all of my problems tie back to this school. No one faculty is apathetic, and the only real value provided was networking opportunities and internships - which required you to independently study and work on projects to get because the needed material is not taught in class."

"This was the worst educational experience I have had. I had an excellent undergraduate experience and MFA program. Then I came to UW. It was ok for two years, I kept expecting it to get better but instead it got worse. My department offered no security and often told me something would happen, like that I would be teaching the next term, only to change their minds at the last minute. It became impossible to trust what they said as they did this multiple times. It is all white men and only one token woman, a recent hire. DXARTS mismanages people and funds, no one is at the helm.Read Less"

"The University Of Washington (UW), is very well known for its research opportunities as well as resources it offers students to help succeed. The Seattle campus is the largest campus of all 3, and offers the most programs. The UW is located about 15 minutes away from Downtown Seattle, and is easy to access. There are many student organizations and study groups to help students feel welcomed. The UW is very competitive especially within its STEM related programs, so having study groups is really helpful. There's a specific tutoring site called the Instructional Center (IC) to tutor specifically minorities and students who come from low-income households.Read Less"

"Great city, campus is beautiful. The professors all were very qualified and seemed to truly care. UW is so close to so many activities and events in Seattle and it is a great city to be in as a college student. My program specifically gave us a lot of hands on time in the lab which helped tremendously later on. The ROTC program was well run as well."

"I greatly enjoyed my undergraduate experience at the University of Washington. I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Though, with anything, there were a number of pros and cons with the UW.Pros:* Name recognition* Excellent student resources* Phenomenal campus * Undergraduate research* Tons of applicable majorsCons:* Some large classes the students don't get the individual learning they require* Difficult to get into some classes* Most majors aren't guaranteed - I.E. you have to compete for a place in a major and may not get in* Some professors are more interested in research than teachingOverall I learned a ton at the UW and it prepared me very well for my graduate program at Loma Linda University.Read Less"

"Learning how to ride a bike in the middle of University of Washington campus naturally meant that I would one day be applying to attend school there. While my path to UW was roundabout and not-at-all conventional, I cannot recommend this school highly enough. Not only for myself, but also for my mother who graduated with her B.A. in Psychology, Class of 1998. She attended night classes while raising a daughter and working a full-time job and her professors were nothing short of supportive. Even going so far as to babysit a four-year-old (that would be me) during a few exams when she couldn't find a sitter. That is the commitment these professors have to their students.My time at University of Washington was honestly the best of my academic life, thus far. I transferred in from a community college to the Early Childhood and Family Studies program where the teaching staff new us on a first-name basis and treated us with respect, honesty and integrity. These professors were brilliant, compassionate and enthusiastic about their work, which gave life to each and every one of my courses, in turn fueling me with passion for teaching and working with children and beyond to the international community.This enthusiasm also transferred to the myriad of courses I took outside of my major framework. The professors on campus at University of Washington are nothing short of the best and it was a privilege to learn from them and to work alongside them. My education has prepared me for things I never thought I would see or experience. But from my highest highs, to my lowest lows, I always retain the sense of humility, courage and integrity that was instilled within me at this academic institution.Again, I cannot recommend University of Washington enough to any high school seniors thinking of applying. It is hard work to get into this school but the fight is worth it. Welcome to the family!Read Less"

"The School of Oceanography at UW is known for being the best in the world for its undergraduate research, connections, and credibility. Of course it should be. I'd be in a class where the professor notes the discovery of a new... [insert anything from phytoplankton to black smokers on the ocean floor] and if we wanted to know more, we could go down the hall to talk to the scientist who discovered it. How neat is that? Hands-on experiences were a part of not only the curriculum, but the culture. Time on research cruises, in labs (like Friday Harbor!), and in conferences was a part of the daily schedule. I loved this program for these aspects, but most importantly, because of the shared excitement from the faculty to foster interest in the oceans and their efforts that went above and beyond to prepare future scientists and explorers to care for the environment.Read Less"

"My experience as a student in the English/Creative Writing program at the University of Washington, Seattle, was wonderful. Even while working four jobs to support myself, I was able to take advantage of the full range of opportunities on and beyond the campus. The best thing about attending the UW was the chance to get involved so many things that supported my passions. I volunteered (at local schools, women's centers, and social justice organizations), explored new interests (like fencing, event-planning, or art), studied abroad (at the UW's Rome Center), did research (and presented it at a symposium), created community projects, and so much more. Specifically, as a humanities student, I felt like I got a small liberal arts college experience within a large research institution. There were big opportunities only an A-1 research institution can offer, but cohorts in my classes were small and intimate. One thing I regret is not taking advantage of interdisciplinary activities more. There's just so much opportunity to learn! However, perhaps STEM majors have a different perspective about their experiences at UW. I feel like much of my love of the place and time is related to the degree and knowledge I pursued. Seattle is a great literary community, with spaces like the Richard Hugo House for writers and the only poetry-only bookstore in the country. Another amazing things about the UW is how incredibly gorgeous the campus is. From the Hogwarts-eqsue architecture to the bloom of cherry blossoms every Spring to the glory of the Mt. Rainier vista, there's so much beauty in this Pacific Northwest school. The location, right in the middle of Seattle, is also great. The University District is diverse and full of delicious restaurants and interesting places to explore.Read Less"

"The University of Washington is first rate as far as I am concerned. I was given full ride scholarships for several of the years that I attended there and it was clear to me that they value and support non-traditional students. My area of study was English, and the courses and professors were always quite authoritative and up-to-date as far as scholarship and theory are concerned. I had plenty of distractions as I was required to work several part time jobs simultaneously, but because the classes and professors were supportive to non-traditional students, I made it through to achieving my B.A. with flying colors maintaining a 3.73 gpa! The campus is beautiful. The Suzzallo Library looks like something out of Harry Potter! Very Hogwartsian! The neighborhood that the university is located in is vibrant and full of inexpensive and delicious food ranging from Thai to Vietnamese and Ethiopian and Venezualan. The apartments around campus tend to be either really old and run down or brand new and highly priced, but it is possible to commute from further afield as the busses are very reliable and continually available. The shopping in the University District (or The Ave is it is known by its denizens) is skewed toward gritty street fashion and book stores. Stores like Urban Outfitters and Red Light are side by side with 2nd hand stores and consignment shops. There is a fairly large homeless youth contingent is this area as well, and if you want to get involved with volunteering and activism, there are plenty of very immediate opportunities.Read Less"

"Caliber of students isn't really that high compared to other similar programs. Instruction was so-so with a lot of classes being taught by TAs. Good balance between theory and technical skills used in the profession. What really makes this program awful is the academic advising. Graduate adviser knows nothing about the UW systems and is too lazy to help you which means that it is up to you to navigate through all the different rules set by the university. Also Graduate adviser takes weeks to respond via email- unacceptable for a program this small. If anyone from the department is reading this, please get a new graduate adviser who knows how to deal with seemingly simple issues and is willing to go the extra mile to help. I've interacted with advisers from other departments who makes the civil engineering department seem like a bunch of amateurs. Prospective students - proceed with caution. Unless you want to stay in Seattle, I recommend another program that will actually support you.Read Less"

"The business school at UW is super resourceful, I am doing a master degree here and our program is always supportive and helpful. As business school student, one of the most important elements here is networking, and Foster can be as much helpful as you want if you really want networking."

"I was lucky enough to gain a small liberal arts experience within a large university through the University of Washington's Comparative History of Ideas (CHID) undergraduate major. While other students in business or pre-med majors were taking classes with 500 of their peers, I had classes that ranged from 3-50 students (most classes being around 20 students). I feel exceptionally lucky to have found a small, nurturing program within a large university and one in which I was able to design my own course of study. I was able to experience all the opportunities and events that a big university has to offer with the one-on-one mentorship, small class sizes, and specialized studies of a liberal arts college through the CHID program. I highly recommend majoring or minoring in CHID at UW if you have specific interests that don't quite fit into a typical degree and you're seeking a more personal undergraduate experience.Read Less"

"Avoid the civil engineering department. Poor quality of instruction and horrendous advising. Many classes are taught by PhD students rather than professors and those professors who do teach are unorganized. Graduate advisers are condescending and unhelpful. Expect no support from them. Expected more from a school like UW."

"The University of Washington is a globally recognized school in academic excellence, research, and diversity. What you find at the UW is a camaraderie you didn't know was possible to obtain by just participating in a class with a hundred other students. Every student shares the same goals: SUCCESS. The resources provided to students who need additional help are an amazing asset to any individual. The faculty care about your learning and want you to succeed. There won't be anyone to hold your hand along the way but you will complete challenges you never knew you were capable of. Being a UW student builds character, tenacity, and courage. I was previously undecided when I went on my first tour of campus and it took all of 30 seconds to know that I was in the right place. There is magic in the air at those hallowed grounds, you can FEEL the histories of past students pushing boundaries and creating new standards. It's hard to put in to words what a wonderful place the University of Washington is, I encourage you to find out for yourself!Read Less"

"The UW is a research college. Especially for medical, but really all types of research. There are many opportunities for doing work study in your field (s) of choice. You can then use the experience on your resume to break into your field of study."

"College was a great experience but workplace experience is more beneficial. If you can obtain an entry level job and work your way up the ladder you will be better off. Talk to people. Intern. Don't waste your money on education if you don't know what you want to do. Don't follow the herd."

"I liked that my program had a strong science basis, but I learned a lot on the job and would have benefited for more opportunities for hands on experiences."

"It was a well rounded, large research institution"

"I enjoyed the freedom I had to pursue my passion, fully utilizing the resources I had."