Pacific Lutheran University

I honestly loved pretty much everything about PLU. I visited almost every liberal arts school in the Pacific Northwest and PLU was by far the best in my opinion. The campus community, the ability to positively interact with professors, the insane study away program, and the support were phenomenal. It seems like people care that they are there and commit to their experience. Within my first year, I was asked to take photos for The News Tribune in Seattle for election night, traveled to the Makah Reservation to study tribal culture, and traveled to Norway with a US Vice President. All of these things would not have been possible without the people I met at the University. If you are at all interested in Study Abroad/Away in college, this school is your best bet. It has one of the best programs in the nation. I studied away five times, including places like Greece and Uganda. There are new programs every year for their January Term sessions and good opportunities for scholarships. I am currently in graduate school and I can look back without at doubt and say that PLU prepared me like no other school could have. I have both academic and practical experience more than I could have imagined when I was applying. I apologize for raving, but its how I feel. Much of college is about what you are willing to put into it, and PLU gives back in amazing ways if you are willing to try new things and explore your interests. more

There are a lot of good things about PLU and a few bad. Overall the people are friendly, the teachers are wonderful, the facilities are in good condition (many of the buildings are new and beautiful), the location is fairly limited which can be frustrating if you aren't very good at discovering new places, the administration is kind of obnoxious and occasionally clueless despite their often good intentions. It's a bit overpriced, but scholarships are fairly easy to come across if you look for them. The health center is really helpful, and very cheap. The workout facility is seriously lacking, and looks as though it hasn't been remodeled since the 60'. The dorms are generally quite spacious, and well kept, and the housekeepers are really sweet. The study abroad program is my favorite, and is generally quite good, although the fall and spring deadlines are the same and the staff at the travel center can be a bit incompetent. But if you want to study in any foreign country, PLU is a great place to do it. The first time you go on a trip that isn't taught through PLU all of your scholarships apply, and often if you are away for a semester, they will still be there when you return. It's true that although Lutheran is in the name PLU isn't really strict about their religious policies, but that makes it a great environment for people to learn about those who do not necessarily share their religious perspectives. They have Lutheran services, and there are several churches nearby if you want a taste of something a little bit more devout. There are also synagogues and mosques within 25 minutes of the school. Although mostly Christian and mostly white, PLU is looking to add more diversity to their populous, and they really do encourage many different people of different backgrounds to apply. Sometimes it's hard being non-white on campus, but the majority of people are kind and unbiased, and more than ready to love and accept you. It really is a freakishly sweet school. more

School of hypocracy. Definitely not a Christian school more

PLU is a good place to go to school. People tend to be friendly and laid back, and generally pretty inclusive. I think this may have something to do with the lack of a Greek system there. Anyway, lots of great professors are on staff, and you really get to experience a breadth of stuff with the liberal arts focus. PLU also tries to put a focus on living lives of service, which is a bonus to the community and the world. Sure, it's in a kind of ghetto part of town, but the campus itself is beautiful. more