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Schools out west?

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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,190
Hey guys, i am a sophomore in high school in Iowa. I am very interested in going to college out west to find better skiing and an overall better lifestyle. I was just wondering which school to pick. i know there is a lot of schools out there and i am sure some have you are going to them or have graduated. Just let me know your opinions. Thanks NS


Oct 26 2011 10:54PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
Boulder's 2 hours from any of the mountains you'd go to from there. Spare me that talk.

It's not really any worse than Western Washington as a school. No worse than a Boise State either. No worse than pretty much any regional University. Depending on your major, its actually pretty damn good. I have a good amount of friends who have gone through there and been very well prepared academically heading into the job market.

Gonzaga. Better? If you like going to a fucking Catholic school and paying out of your asshole (I grew up right by St. Marys in California - it's virtually the same thing, and it's not all that and a bag of chips like you seem to lay it out) You might as well go and pay for BYU... the only difference is they don't have all the restrictions on alcohol and shit.

They sure get pissed at you over sex though, if you're a registered jesuit catholic - aka: the only way to make WCC schools halfway affordable - and shit gets out that you've been doing the premarital thing, you can be forced into doing stupid counciling with a priest... and if you don't comply, you can get straight excommunicated - which means kicked out. I mean, I guess you have to be dumb to get caught, but I'd rather not be in that environment as it takes away from actually learning shit.

These days, most everyone going to just about any university not in the middle-of-nowhere is commuting in... it's standard operating proceedure dude. You think kids don't commute into UofU, UC Davis, or Udub? pleeeease.


Oct 28 2011 11:17PM
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sierraskier.
Posts: 71 - Karma: 42
I'm a freshman ME at U of U right now, and it's a fairly heavy course load this semester. Next semester will be pretty awesome though. I am taking fridays off and I won't have class on mondays and wednesdays until 3:00, so I will have plenty of time to ski. I had to switch around some classes to do this though, and the reason I could do that was because I have AP credit, so being a sophomore right now, I would definitely suggest that you take AP classes if possible. I am so stoked for this winter...
Oct 28 2011 11:42PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
GO CU
Oct 29 2011 1:13AM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
idk it just eastern has a really bad rep in washington and with his g.p.a he can go for something a lot better
Oct 29 2011 2:49AM
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S_Jenk
Posts: 345 - Karma: 92
On behalf of all montanans, thank you!
Oct 29 2011 3:10AM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
Your mother.
Oct 29 2011 3:24AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
I'm just going to go out on a whim here and assume he's completed 1 year so far, and is a sophmore based on the fact that he said he's 16.

I don't want to say he wont retain his GPA, but lets just go ahead and assume it averages out to a little closer to 3.0 than 4.0 lol. If he takes all CP, AP, and Honours courses, it very well might dip. Shit gets tough especially after the first two years.

Either way, all of eastern washington as a region in GENERAL as a bad rep in washington... It's pretty pathetic too, seeing as the Spokane area is actually pretty nice to tell you the truth. The school really deserves better credit than it's given. Is it some amazing place? No... Is it UW? no... Is it twice as affordable as UW? yes. So be it.
Oct 29 2011 5:53AM
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skieasy
Posts: 214 - Karma: 11
A lot depends on the AP credit you get in high school. Well, maybe not a lot, but more than I was expecting. Physics and chemistry weren't required at mine, and since I didn't take them I'm pretty behind in my chem class and kind of in the ME class. The program is pretty cookie cutter. Like literally, they have a flow chart and if you stray, you'll more than likely have to take 5 years. The course load next semester is going to suck as far as skiing and if I stay on track, I'll have to stick to the weekend warrior business and maybe touring in the afternoon/evening. But it's such a great place I don't regret coming here at all. Good atmosphere, good people, spacious dorms.

Basically, take all the AP  classes you can. It will be a bitch and you won't be able to hang with your friends who are only taking 3 courses senior year, but it is totally worth it if you want less work later and your going to a college that accepts AP credits.
Oct 29 2011 4:55PM
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teleak
Posts: 2251 - Karma: 105
Solid Ag. school too.
Oct 29 2011 4:58PM
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FerrisBueller
Posts: 8280 - Karma: 5,173
.
Oct 29 2011 5:03PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
I went to WSU and know a ton of kids that either graduated from Eastern, or transfered from eastern to WSU or Gonzaga. I have only heard negative things about eastern. The skiing isnt great around there, and the school isnt good, so why would he consider it?

And you are high if you think "most everyone is commuting in to school". the vast majority do the normal college thing and live in the college town. so dont try and make it seem like every school is a commuter school.
Oct 29 2011 5:33PM
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sierraskier.
Posts: 71 - Karma: 42
Definitely true. Like I said before, take as many AP classes as possible, you will get to ski more in college!

(also, sorry I didn't invite you to the ski swap today stephanie)
Oct 29 2011 5:41PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
Considering a lot of college towns are right next to, or within large metropolitan areas, yes, a LOT of people are commuting in these days - Every school you mentioned in fact, is seeing this trend.

UW? So many kids from Tacoma, Olympia, and Everett areas shuttle in there every day... Not to mention those who don't actually live in Montlake. Housing costs, the economy, and the fact that it's a shitload cheaper to do rather than live on campus is definitely something that parents are considering even more these days.

UC Davis? It's only 20 minutes from Sacramento. I know at least 30-35 people who have lived at home, or in cheaper confines on the other side of the river, or home in Vacaville/whatever, and commuted into Davis for classes. Hell. My brother carpools with a friend of his every day from my folks' place to campus... and he carpools in with 3 or 4 people depending on the day. You figure it out and if it works, it works.

Eastern is a similar situation. It's right next to a metro area of over half a million people... and its about 20 mins from downtown Spokane. Of course people are going to live at home and commute in just like the two you mentioned.

You'd be surprised with how many kids these days are commuting from home. Especially in California, but elsewhere too. I don't actually have the article in front of me, but I was reading something a few months ago in the Portland Tribune talking about how, especially 2nd year college students at Portland State, have been heading home for their 2nd year and commuting in for school to save money, rather than paying the costs of living on campus, or the higher housing costs in Portland itself. Figures were somewhere in the 50-55% range of undergrads.

So, perhaps its not "most everyone" but it's a lot more than you probably would think.
Oct 29 2011 5:52PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
And as far as Eastern goes, I'd say we just have had differing opinions on the whole thing. Folks I've known who have gone there have had positive reviews. It's the opposite for you. The skiing there is a hell of a lot better than it would be if he went to school in Ames or Iowa City, that's for sure... And the scene isn't all that bad either considering theres multiple places to hit up - keeping things interesting. At least more interesting than if he was going to school in say, Flagstaff Arizona and only had one mountain to consider.

It's just an option to consider if Salt Lake City or Reno or any other spot aren't on the bill, dude. If you're looking out of state, like he is... (and would otherwise have to make it fuckin rain to afford to attend UW or UCDavis) it's a fair spot to check out.
Oct 29 2011 5:58PM
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Shamoo-H
Posts: 133 - Karma: 11
Click for larger image
Oct 29 2011 8:25PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
Imagine going to USC in South Central LA...
Oct 29 2011 8:30PM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
hey i went to a college convention in seattle today and talked to the guy in charge of the engineering program. It actually looks really good for industrial design. Only thing is that the program has just started. Other than location the school actually looks really good for what you will pay. Im sticking to uvic, usd, santa clara, and u of colorado bolder. i think eastern and western would be really good back ups though.
Nov 5 2011 8:08PM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
lol lots of "really goods" in there, good thing i don't want an english degree
Nov 5 2011 8:10PM
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TaranItUp
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 802
I love you, the Fort is the shit, division 2 soccer chapionships take place tomorrow, the forts gonna take one home for us again. Seriously though Purgatory ski area is a fantastic non crowded well maintained area and The Fort's campus is really sick. My sister goes to the fort.
Nov 5 2011 9:21PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,939
Yeah, my cousin applied there for mechanical engineering. He decided on Oregon Tech, but everything i've heard about it is pretty legit. My brother's definitely applying there for engineering. I'll be pumped for him if he goes.
Nov 6 2011 1:33AM
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