So what's it really like?

How strong are your academics?
We're strong enough to be one of only thirty-one public universities in the prestigious Association of American Universities, and to be recognized in a quantitative study as one of the top fifteen American public institutions and a "rising star" in higher education. The Fiske Guide to Colleges has listed the UO for two years as one of the best buys in higher education for "offering remarkable educational opportunities at a modest cost"; we're one of only three schools west of the Mississippi to make that list. We have nationally ranked programs across the board. And, because we're about half the size of other public schools in the AAU, students get an excellent education - personalized.

Are classes taught by professors?
Yes. Professors and associate professors and assistant professors and instructors and graduate assistants. All of them have office hours, so you can see them outside class if you need extra help with course work or just want to chat. And our Learning Communities ensure that you work closely with our most engaging faculty members during your first year.

What if I don't know what I want to study?
Fine! You have plenty of time to explore your interests while completing general-education requirements in the liberal arts and sciences during your first two years. Academic and career advisers are always here to discuss your options, and participation in our Learning Communities can help you answer that major question.

Do I need to bring a computer?
If you have a computer, great! The residence halls are equipped with two Ethernet connections in each room, and we will give you all sorts of stuff - E-mail, web software, and free twenty-four hour on-line access - you can use on a computer. (Yahoo! Magazine says we're one of the "most-wired" public campuses in the nation.) If you don't have a computer, don't worry. There are many computing labs on campus with direct connections to the Internet for both PC and Macintosh computers.

Don't you feel like a number at such a large university?
The University of Oregon is actually a medium-sized school. We feel our size offers you advantages: We're large enough to have the campus resources, facilities, academic programs, and extracurricular activities of a large research university, yet we're small enough to provide you with unlimited opportunities for hands-on learning and research - and lots of personal attention.

Can I get the classes I want?
It's one of our goals and dozens of people are here to help you. Just ask. It rains a lot in Eugene, right?

Eugene's average rainfall is forty-six inches (about the same as New York or Philadelphia). It seems like more, because we get most of our rain during the winter. But the precipitation doesn't appear to faze us as we walk, bicycle, run, and hike year-round.

Can I graduate in four years?
Yes, if you take an average of 15 credits a term, choose a major by the end of your second year, and meet with you adviser regularly for help in planning ahead. A status report, which shows your progress toward graduation, is always available on-line. Faculty advisers are available to discuss your progress and help you prepare your class schedule.

Are scholarships available?
Yes! Freshman who have a 3.60 GPA or higher in high school are eligible for Dean's Scholarships. These renewable merit scholarships are awarded to qualified resident and nonresident students automatically upon admission. Students may also apply for larger merit scholarships, such as general university scholarships, Diversity-Building Scholarships, and U-Lane-O scholarships, with individual awards ranging from $900 to full tuition and a small book stipend per year. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) allows qualified students from eligible western states to study at the UO for one and one-half times the UO's resident tuition (a savings of $7000). For more information about any of these scholarships, please contact the Office of Admissions, or view our web page at http://admissions.uoregon.edu/.

Some academic departments at the UO offer scholarships to qualified freshmen upon admission. To inquire about these scholarships, contact your academic department directly.

How hard is it to adjust to college life?
Just like the transition from middle school to high school, college can be a bit of a culture shock. Fortunately, the university's orientation program, IntroDUCKtion, and several other programs are designed to make sure you feel at home.

Is it true that UO is a party school?
The newfound freedom of college life can cause problems for some students. Alcohol and substance abuse and related behavioral problems arise on many college campuses. At the UO, our main emphasis is on keeping you safe and healthy through educational programs, dissemination of information, peer training, and intervention. We hold you responsible for your actions and decisions. While you may have heard the UO is a "party school" and "everyone" drinks, extensive research consistently shows that most UO students don't use alcohol on a weekly basis. Students do have an active social life at the UO, but most of them don't need alcohol to have a good time.

What about safety on campus?
Like any large community, the university experiences some crime. However, the campus is well lit and the students feel safe. Most safety problems can be avoided by using common sense. We discourage students from walking alone at night; we encourage them to lock dorm rooms and bicycles at all times and to take advantage of campus resources such as Project Saferide, a shuttle service for women. Security personnel patrol the campus regularly, and more than 100 emergency cal boxes on campus provide an immediate connection to the Office of Public Safety.

How big are the classes? Are they really large?
A few lecture classes are really large - up to 350 students! Most freshmen enroll in at least on of these. But take heart: The big classes are broken up into smaller discussion groups of twenty to twenty-five students. And the UO's average class size is twenty-six.

How much does it snow there?
People used to say it snowed "every other year," but you can't count on it. Even the rain isn't as predictable as it used to be (La Niņa?). You can still count on plenty of snow and great skiing an hour away in the Cascade mountains.

Will I fit in?
Students from all fifty states, eighty-five different countries, and all walks of life attend the UO. We attract an eclectic mix of people and personalities - enough to sustain more than 250 student organizations. So yes, you'll fit in. But you don't have to.

How politically active are you students?
Mother Jones magazine has twice recognized the UO as one of the ten most activist schools in the country. There are more than twenty-five different politically oriented student organizations at the UO. In 1996 we had the highest voter turnout of schools our size in the nation, and we are the seventh largest producer of Peace Corps volunteers in the United States. But you can decide the issues and your level of involvement for yourself.

What can I do with a liberal-arts education?
Just about anything you want to. Eighty percent of business executives believe that skills taught in the liberal arts - strong written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and adaptability - are essential to successful careers. These skills also help graduates at every stage of their working life, from the interview process on. Skills gained through education in the liberal arts translate into enhanced advancement potential as well as greater job satisfaction.