Top Five Universities in the Northwest

For those of us who have already completed theNorthwestern great, but one of the top schools in the
university application process, it is sometimes too easynation. The campus’s spectacular Seattle location
to forget what a difficult and potentially demoralizingprovides not only an ideal setting for learning but a
exercise it can be. Essay questions seem designed tosetting off point for adventures--cultural, educational,
dig out the darkest secrets of your weakness andand otherwise--in the school’s great host city.
unsuitability. Interviews do worse, staring you down as2. Washington State University, Pullman, WA
if you had no business picking up pen and paper, not toWashington State University takes the number two
mention actually attending an institution of higherslot on the list by joining a top-notch undergraduate
learning.education with a strong research university. Many of
This process can be made easier by thinking ofWashington State University’s academic programs
yourself as being in control. You are not so muchcompete head-to-head with the best in the nation.
begging for acceptance to a university as shopping for3. University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
the university that is right for you. Remember that youThe third place on this list is held by University of
as the potential student are the customer in thisOregon, in Eugene. The University of Oregon boasts a
situation, and, as the saying goes, “the customer isstrong liberal arts undergraduate program alongside the
always right.” Do not let yourself be intimidated bylarger research university. With 20,000 students,
probing questions or stuffy interviewers. Be yourself. IfUniversity of Oregon is not unlike a town-within-a-town,
an acceptance does not follow, then the school wascreating a destination for many culturally minded locals.
probably not right for you in the first place.4. University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Compiling any “best of” list is, like the applicationFourth place on the list is the University of Idaho, in
process, sometimes a difficult task. There are alwaysMoscow, a stunning campus in a state not necessarily
those who will disagree with one’s judgment.first thought of when researching top quality institutions
Naming the top five universities in the Northwest mayof higher learning. The University of Idaho, like the other
be asking for trouble. Alumnae of ignored or low ratedschools on this list, earns its place by providing students
schools will surely shriek in protest. But thesewith strong academics and a high quality of student life.
objections can be weathered with confidence. This listA visit to the campus is often all a prospective student
has been compiled considering not only present-dayneeds to decide on Idaho as their first choice.
academic standards, quality of student life, but many5. University of Montana, Missoula, MT
other factors crucial to a quality academic experience.Last, but not least, is the University of Montana, in
1. University of Washington, Seattle, WAMissoula, another spectacular setting, another great
University of Washington, in Seattle, tops the list ofschool. The University of Montana delivers consistently
best universities in the Northwest due to anchallenging academics and receives high marks on
outstanding combination of academic rigor and astudent life, making it one of the more sought-after
quality of student life that deserves to be boastedadmissions in the Northwestern university system.
about. University of Washington is not only a