Some Good, Some Not So Much...

Introduction
First of all, don't make the mistake that I did. Apply to A LOT of different schools- East coast, West coast, in state and out. Big, small, just to get a feel of what you want, and when you are accepted, you'll have a choice. U of O is a great place for a middle of the ground student. I am friends with people who went to high school in Oregon, and their valedictorian goes here. However, I went to a small private school in California and feel like I was overly prepared for most of my freshman classes. I chose the U of O becuase it seemed to offer what i wanted out of college- it's not too intense academically, the people are much nicer than in California, and there seemed to be plenty of opportunity for fun.

Campus Life and Social Life
When you live on campus, the party scene is pretty good, there's almost always something going on. It's harder to find good parties when you live off campus (ie, Ducks Village, Chase, and University Commons), but there are plenty of kids around there too, if you're willing to look a bit. People party a lot on Thursdays ("thirsty") and Fridays, but Saturdays are generally a little more mellow. Duck games are a big part of a lot of student's lives. Football and basketball mostly, but that's just becuase those are the only events that you have to get tickets to beforehand. Those games are AWESOME, if you're into that... something to try at least once even if you don't like sports. Advertisement
Academics
U of O is a liberal college...so expect that the more liberal departments are a bit better. The creative writing electives that I have taken have been great. The environmental science department blows, the whole program is really not up to par with what I would like to be majoring in (although I presently am an environmental science major). The chemistry classes (General Chemistry) SUCKS so much, and the profs are generally bad teachers, in my experience. I'm in my second term of the Biology sequence, and it has been a pretty good experience so far, the professors are much cooler, more laid back, and better teachers, so far. Beware of the English department, though, becuase many of the courses not taught by GTFs (Graduate Teaching Fellows-- the UO's more PC term for TA) are taught by really pompous profs. Any lower level math classes are much like those at any college-- you'll be lucky to be taught by someone who speaks fluent English, and even then...not the best teaching you'll encounter. The teacher REALLY does make the class, so talk to upperclassmen if at all possible and see what they tell you-- and listen, because they are usually right.

Student Body
Most of the kids here are from Oregon. There are some from surrounding states, but the vast majority are from around here. UO is the sort of place that you have to have your own social life, you have to make it for yourself becuase if you dont get in there and make friends, you're gonna be bored for pretty much all of college. The Sorority/Fraternity scene is not huge, but it's pretty big, and if you don't rush as a freshman, at least look into it as a sophomore. I'm not in a sorority, but am in the process of deciding whether or not i want to accept a bid that has been extended to me. It's a personal choice, but lots of people who come here not knowing a lot of other kids (like me, the only one from my high school) find themselves without a ton of friends, so sororities are appealing. Lots of kids are really into activism...some students find these kids to be annoying. There are lots of activities on campus, but very few of the people i know are involved with them, with the exception of the Greek Life.

In Closing...
If you were one of the shy kids in high school, use this opportunity to come out of your shell!! College is the only time that you'll be able to do a lot of things. I know that you hear this kind of BS from everyone, but it really is true---college is what you make of it.