Largest University In Oregon

Introduction
When anyone from highschool is considering Portland State University, they need to decide several things. In what location would you like to go to college? When you begin looking at colleges, it’s important to think about where you would like to spend four years. How far do you want to be from home? Do you want to be in an urban, rural or suburban environment? Think about the climate you want to live in - do you want to be near the mountains, the coast or surrounded by trees? What types of off-campus activities would you like to have access to (camping, skiing, attending concerts or theatre events)? Portland State University is centrally located in Downtown Portland. It is surrounded by stores, businesses, bars, and just about any type of food you would like to eat. The climate is mostly rainy and so it would not be good for someone who has Seasonal Effectiveness Disorder (S.A.D) or major depression issues. The college is centrally located, approximately 1 hr from the the Mountains, and 1 1/2 hrs from the coast. It is beautiful country, where a lot of planning was put into the development of the college. During the spring time there are roses blooming and there is a park that runs down the middle of the campus.

What size of college is ideal for you?

Colleges come in all shapes and sizes – to find the right one for you, you’ll need to consider what advantages and disadvantages exist for small, medium and large schools. While larger schools can sometimes offer more majors and activities, students at smaller schools usually have classes taught by professors (as opposed to graduate students), more personal attention from their professors and opportunities to conduct research at the undergraduate level. Portland State University is the largest university in Oregon, and has many degrees to choose from. The college can feel overwhelming some times, and host to a large population of transient students; meaning that half the people that attend do so while not living on campus. They come to school and go home rather then bonding on campus. The students that dorm on campus have many opportunities to make friends, and the freshman are put on the same floors so that they can meet other freshman.

What kinds of academic programs do you want?

Think about what you might want to study in college and find out what schools can offer these programs. Look at how big the classes are and what types of experiential learning opportunities (such as internships and career exploration, study abroad, and collaborative research) are available. Portland State University offers on campus and off campus classes, it offers distance learning, and online courses for the busy student.

What kinds of things do I want to do outside of class?

Colleges offer a wide range of activities that can enrich your experience, introduce you to different students and provide a good balance to your academic activities. These activities can include athletic teams, music and theatre programs, school newspapers, yearbooks, radio stations and video productions, community service and international clubs, religious and political groups, and Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities). Think about what interests you and then investigate what’s offered at different schools. (P.S. If you can’t find a club or activity that you want to participate in, check into the possibility of starting your own club!) Portland State University has Fraternities, student run organizations, outdoor programs, and a lot of activities that are constantly going on not only during the school year, but while classes are out.

Finding the right college requires you to assess the “fit” of academic programs, campus facilities, social and cultural opportunities and an examination of the people. In other words, find a college that is right for you. Do you want to start at a small college and transfer, or do you want to go to one university and complete your degree(s) there? With tuition increases, money is always a factor, and you want to get the best bang for your buck. Find a college and figure out how much a degree would cost you, and shop around.

Campus Life and Social Life
Portland State University offers alot of social life for students on campus. Everything from Freshman Experience (Freshman living on the same floors), to sports activities, outdoor activites, movies, fraternities, and many student clubs. Although under age drinking is not permitted, it happens freqently, and is pretty much expected to happen at any university. During the breaks most students leave campus and go home, so for people that travel a long way to get to Portland State University it may seem kind of lonely when not actively involved in classes. Advertisement
Academics
For a full list of academics go to www.pdx.edu and review the schedule. Whether a class is good or not might be a personal preference, but it is always good to talk to other freshman before taking any classes to figure out which professors are liked more then others.

Student Body
The typical PSU student ranges in all ages, any sex, and of various backgrounds. Again a majority of the student population does not live on campus, so the feel of a typical campus is not there. You normally don't see large groups of students hanging out after classes, or at sporting events. President Burnstein works very hard to ensure that students from all over the world have a chance to come to Portland State University. I would personally consider PSU as a VERY liberal campus, with varying backgrounds, religious beliefs, and political views. The student body is accepting of any culture, race, religion, etc.

In Closing...
The only problems that Portland State University has are that the University Studies programs are not well organized, confusing, and overall boring. You end up taking courses that have nothing to do with your major, but are supposed to make you more well rounded. I disagreed with the program and was told basically that I didn't have a choice on whether to take the courses, even though I was paying for the classes. Also the tution increases seem to be happening every year, and students are getting thousands of dollars in debt before they even start in their career.