Western Oregon University Reviews

Graham McCallum

from Monmouth , OR

Current student

In which ways do you feel you are learning and growing?

I am learning how to live with multiple other people, respect their space, and keep my own space clean. I am also learning how to communicate with those I am living with, my professors, and peers on many different issues, leading me to learn great conflict resolution skills.

How are you enjoying your time at this college?

It is really nice here. Pretty quiet town where everything is within walking distance. Once you start on your degree track, you’ll see the same people and develop a bond with them over what you are studying to do together.

In your experience, what is there to do for fun at this college?

There are many different clubs and organizations that hold regular meetings and events at our university center. There are conference rooms and public spaces where you can gather and get together with people. There is something happening almost every week so you have to learn what you can and can’t participate in based on your classes and work load. But there is never nothing to do.

How does this institution support campus safety or mental health and wellness programs?

There campus safety office is right outside of the dorm area and is always alert and ready to help. The health and counseling center is a couple minute walk from most of the dorms and takes calls, emails, or walk ins depending on your situation. And the health and wellness center is open for a long time every day, allowing those who want to work out a place to do so for free.

Melissa from Cornelius, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	The classes at Western Oregon University are really good. You learn a lot in these small classes because you can ask questions and talk to the professors.
Am enjoying being here	I really like the campus. It is really beautiful with the surrounding trees. I enjoy my classes and I am happy I chose this school.
Tips for prospective students	Go to all your classes. It is important to show up and learn. The professors notice if you are gone. Do not procrastinate because if you get all your homework and studying done then you will have time for the fun stuff. And get involved in clubs.
Great for these types of students	This school is good for students that would like a small campus and small classrooms.

Madelyn from Beaverton, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	My goal is to graduate in three years, and the flexible scheduling at Western allows me to follow through with my plans.
Am enjoying being here	I love the people. There is always something going on on campus, and there are always friends to hang out with in the dorms.
Bang for the buck	It's college. College is expensive. For the level of education, the price is fair.
Tips for prospective students	I understand if you're nervous for the first week. Just remember, so is everyone else.
Great for these types of students	Many of the students here want to become teachers. If you want to be a teacher, Western has a great education program.

Sarah from Junction City, OR

accepted here and planning to attend soon

Categories	Comments
Will learn a lot	I feel that the environment will give me the attention that I need to succeed.
Will enjoy being here	The campus is beautiful and I will enjoy the college life at Western.
Bang for the buck	Being that I will become a nurse, I know that spending money on college is worth it.
Tips for prospective students	I don't have any yet.
Great for these types of students	Students who need attention from professors, who like the small town environment, and who are wanting to be involved in the community.

Katie from Sandy, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	The teachers are great here! They are all willing to be there to help you out, and are thrilled to teach you. I really enjoy the class sizes because it makes it easier for the teachers to be more personally with you. Almost all my teachers knew me on a first name basis.
Am enjoying being here	The activities the campus provides you with is endless! There is everything from dance lessons, pilates, to 4$ midnight movies. They made the transition from High School to College effortless.
Bang for the buck	As any college, it seems expensive, but for what you're getting it is definitely worth it! Everyone is willing to help you with saving money, through books or class projects.
Tips for prospective students	Moving in as a freshman was really great because it gave me the chance to get to meet lots of new people! I would also suggest getting out there. Make sure you get involved with as many activities as you can.
Great for these types of students	I grew up in a small town, so I love the small town feel. You have to be willing to live out of the city. There isn't alot to do here shopping wise. So you have to be up for a 10-15 minute ride into a bigger city.

Lindsay from Monmouth, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	This is a great school if you are motivated to work hard and achieve. If you are looking for a small campus with a big heart, you will find your home in Western Oregon university. A perfect, almost private school feel for a nice public school price.
Tips for prospective students	Take the tours beforehand to scout out if the campus works for your needs. Check out all of the different residence buildings and make a mental note of size, some are smaller than others. The teachers care and really want to help you so don't make the mistake of not going to them for help.
Academic Rigor	For 95% of the classes, including the required LACC's, attendance and participation is key. Grades and quality of work handed in is important so don't brush it off. If you need help with any class or program provided by the school there are multiple resources at your disposal to help you succeed.
Dorm Life	I love living in the dorms. Each resident hall is a bit different but across the board, you bond with your hall mates/roommates and pretty soon you'll be doing a lot with them together.
Food and Dining	The dining hall on campus is fine; they have the basics and every week there are themed days and specials to entice you. But for some the same old thing can get boring and so they find other options. Downtown located right outside of campus provides a lot of food places that would interest the college crowd and they are all really good.
What to do for fun	Unfortunately there isn't much to do in Monmouth as the school basically eats up the town. But 10 minutes away there is Independence which has a bowling alley, a cinemas, and several shops to hang out in. Salem is only 30 minutes away by car and there are even more opportunities for fun there!
Bang for the buck	For your basic required classes, you are getting the same information from more invested teachers at a much lower cost. For your specialty classes- Western is known for Education, Criminal Justice, and American Sign Language- you are getting one-of-a-kind experience at a lower price than any other college in Oregon.
Greek Life	There is one ferternity but there is no house for it. The Greek life is not a big part of the Western campus but there IS a huge sense of community and public service.
Campus Safety	Western has all safety concerns handled. There are constant patrol officers roaming the campus, on foot and in vehicles. There are Wolf Rides that any student can call and it provides a taxi-like service within a 10 miles radius of campus. When it is in the evening, street lamps illuminate campus and there is a Wolf Safety system put in place; the safest route is marked by wolf prints on the sidewalk. This route is the most populated, brightest, and most patrolled route to take, therefore the safest. If this does not satisfy you there is a buddy program which, through the school you are assigned another student trained in the basics of an emergency (or a handy patrol officer) to escort you from your location to your destination. Most buildings, especially the dorms, have a key-and-fob system. This means without these two items you cannot enter the buildings let alone get into any rooms. And most fobs are specialized to access only a small specific part of the building. This is the safest campus in the state.

Marlyse

researching this school

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	The campus is beautiful and conveniently close together. The buildings were easy to navigate and the dorms looked really inviting. With all the extracurricular activities, big recreation center, and car service they have, this school made a great impression.
Academic Rigor	I can't say much on the academic rigor as i haven't actually experienced it. However, i was told that it is very easy to build a good relationship with your professors because the classes are so small(18 students most some classes!) which makes for more success in those classes.
Dorm Life	I cannot say what staying in the dorms is like but after visiting them i believe it would be a really good experience. The school have a variety of rooming options like the standard 2 person dorms to the bigger 3 person suites.
Food and Dining	The other thing that struck me was that there seemed to be a lot of options on where to eat which is always a good thing.
What to do for fun	The school offered a lot of extracurricular activities as well as sports and clubs. They also have this student area where sometimes they out in a roller skating rink or have just dance tournaments or etiquette dinners.
Great for these types of students	This school is great for someone who wants to go to a small school and also enjoys a small town.

Alishea

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Western Oregon University is a school based on learning and diversity within the community. The school encourages extracurricular activities and encourages you to focus on your schooling. Overall it is a fantastic school to attend and would be highly recommended to all students.
Tips for prospective students	As a student at this school you want to make sure that you focus on the educational side of college as well as spending plenty of time doing other activities with friends. Make sure as a student that you get involved in activities around campus and if at all possible you find a job.
Academic Rigor	If you have taken AP classes in high school then college courses are about the same. Yes, there are some very tough classes but also there are some fairly easy teachers. Make sure to use ratemyproffesor.com when searching for teachers to schedule with. It will help you a lot in the long run.
Dorm Life	Dorm life is absolutely an amazing experience. If you get an opportunity you need to live on campus in the dorms at least once. Through the dorms you create a bond with new friends and if you are like my hall, you become almost a family. You have each others backs no matter what.
Food and Dining	The dining hall is called Valsetz and it is pretty good. They have a good selection of different foods everyday and they stay open late at night so if you get the munchies. Also in town there are some small town restaurants that are really good such as West Coast Pizza or Yangs.

Jazmin from Monmouth, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	As soon as you step on campus, you feel at home. Western has a very comfortable atmosphere. They offer a great learning environment.
Tips for prospective students	Apply for the diversity scholarships! I missed a great opportunity for $2,000!
Academic Rigor	Expect to learn after the fun your first week here.
Dorm Life	Dorms are awesome, except in landers. Landers is a prison.
Food and Dining	Valsets take cafeteria food to a whole new level. One of the best features of this school.
What to do for fun	There are so many clubs! If you like doing something, find 2 more people that enjoy it too and start a club!
Bang for the buck	I wasn't expecting the campus to be so nice. Don't even get me started on the gym! It's awesome.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	There's a haunted building on campus! On halloween, students can sign up to sleep there for the night.
Great for these types of students	Anyone looking to make life long friends while learning in a comfortable environment. Basically anyone!
Clubs and Activities	There are so many options! Clubs galore, all you have to do is pick some!
Greek Life	Greek life is coming around! Not as prominent yet, but their working on it!
Campus Safety	Safest campus I've ever been on. Public safety is just a call away, even if you just need someone to walk you to your dorm!

Christian from Monmouth, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	WOU is a medium-sized public university with strong programs in education, American Sign Language (ASL), the performing and visual arts, and criminal justice. The small-town environment is friendly and safe. The faculty are strong teachers who care about their students' success.
Tips for prospective students	Make contact with at least one faculty member in the department where you wish to focus your studies, so you can get a feel for their enthusiasm for the subject and how much support you'll get here as a student. Visit the campus, during the school year if possible. It is beautiful and very friendly. After you're accepted to WOU, meet with an advisor right away so you can understand the requirements for your intended major.
Academic Rigor	I know the music program almost exclusively, and can say it is an excellent and very rigorous course of study to prepare students for a career in music, as a performer, teacher, band leader, or all of the above. The faculty are all active in music outside of the classroom, and very helpful and down-to-earth. They really care about helping their students be successful and find passion and meaning in music.
Dorm Life	Very good so far as I know. The Housing Activities board is very active here. I did not live in the dorms and only really know about them from secondhand accounts.
Food and Dining	Good so far as I know. There is a cafeteria connected to the main dorms, and a food court in the university center. I have only eaten on campus a couple of times, so my experience with the food itself is limited.
What to do for fun	Oregon is a great place for outdoor activities. Monmouth is less than an hour from the Pacific coast, and about 3 hours from the nearest place to ski or snowboard in the winter. The climate is very mild, with occasion nice days in the winter and very little snow and few storms. Biking, running, outdoor sports are all very popular. Salem has some nice attractions and shopping, and Portland is an easy day trip for a zoo, science museum, more shopping, and music and other cultural activities.
Bang for the buck	Education is getting more and more expensive, but they seem to be making an effort to keep costs down while offering a good education here at WOU.
Clubs and Activities	There are lots of clubs on campus. Some are fairly active. Some not so active. Definitely opportunities for leadership and community involvement.
Greek Life	Until recently there were no fraternities or sororities. I think they have recently founded a non-residential fraternity in the last couple of years.
Campus Safety	Monmouth is a small town. Campus security is very good. There is a high awareness of issues such as date rape and making a safe environment for sexual minorities.

Christine from Monmouth, OR

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Western Oregon University is a small campus with many beautiful trees. The Werner University Center is the main place where all events happen Western Oregon is a good school because its a small campus that you get to know many different people.
Tips for prospective students	To be successful at Western Oregon University there are always tutors and a writing center to help you. Students who attend here will like the environment and how everything is very close to each other.
Academic Rigor	If you do well in class and study you will succeed. If you have trouble just go to the Academic Advising Learning Center and they will help you through on how to be successful in your studies. Some courses here are a bit hard but if you put effort and do your best it will become successful.
Dorm Life	Dorm life is cool, with unique names. Ackerman the environmental green building, Landers,small pod rooms and Heritage maze like dorm. Other dorms like Gentle, Butler and Barnum, are suite style, and kitchenette. It can fit up to 2-3 people in a room. Arbor Park is apartment like dorm, where you share a bathroom , living room, and kitchen together and can be up to 4 people. Most of the dorms are double rooms or single rooms.
Food and Dining	Campus dining is small, its called Valsetz, and its the main place where all students go if they have a meal plan. There is also the Cafeteria Summit at the Werner University Center, but its a lot more expensive there than the dining hall.
What to do for fun	There are some fun things you can do at Western Oregon University. You can go to the Werner University Center and go hang in the lounge area and play video games or watch tv, or play pool with your buddies. You can also go to the health and wellness center and workout. There are rock climbing, swimming, basketball, racquetball, or practice dance in the mirrored rooms. At night they also have zumba and choreographed cardio, so if u want to dance and workout just go to zumba its so much fun! There's many restaurants you can eat at and a park next to the deli supermarket. A lot of events also go on at Western Oregon university so that you can do something instead of staying in your dorm room.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	some unusual traditions on campus is the undie run, magic shows at random dates. The undie run is preferably for the boys but girls if you would like to run too you can run but it seems embarrassing to do so.
Clubs and Activities	There are many clubs and intramural at our school. Some clubs would be Byte club, criminal justice club, pre-nursing club, anime club, MUN club, psychology club, German club and many more. The intramural s are volleyball, soccer, martial arts, and many other sports you can think of. You can also do dance team, and cheer leading. Activities you can join are Student Activities Board, Associates Students of Western Oregon University, Abby's House and much more. Sororities, and Fraternities.
Greek Life	none.
Campus Safety	we have a campus public safety near campus, you go there if you feel unsafe or you lose something or one of your things were stolen you go the public safety building and they will surely help you out with anything that makes you feel insecure. Also if you are not feeling well go to the Student Health Services Center and they will help with any medical issues you have.