University of Puget Sound Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Kelli

Puget Sound is a school with an interesting dynamic in that people take themselves and their work seriously, but their personalities are laid-back and approachable. The student body and the faculty alike consist of people who are genuinely warm and receptive to others. Although students are expected to take responsibility for themselves and the choices they make, the faculty and the administration lend a great deal of personal and logistical support. The size of the student body is on the larger end of small liberal arts schools, which allows students to forge a strong sense of community. However, while you may recognize people by sight on campus, it's certainly possible to still be meeting and befriending new people all the way through senior year because so many people are involved in multiple aspects of campus life.

Nolan

I decided to transfer from a large state school after my Freshman year and I have absolutely fallen in love with the University of Puget Sound. This University has such a unique and close knit feeling of community and I feel at home every moment I'm on campus. Campus is the perfect size at around 2600 undergraduates. You can head to the SUB and find a friend for lunch any time, but you will also meet new people each and every day. I love to spend time out on Todd field when the sun is shining, and escape inside Oppenheimer cafe when it isn't. The University of Puget Sound is very much a part of the neighboring Tacoma community and I feel just as comfortable shopping or eating down on 6th Avenue as I do lounging around campus. I've only been at this school for a year, but I have never once regretted my choice to transfer , and I have absolutely loved every minute here! I look forward to two more fantastic years.

Nolan

I decided to transfer from a large state school after my Freshman year and I have absolutely fallen in love with the University of Puget Sound. This University has such a unique and close knit feeling of community and I feel at home every moment I'm on campus. Campus is the perfect size at around 2600 undergraduates. You can head to the SUB and find a friend for lunch any time, but you will also meet new people each and every day. I love to spend time out on Todd field when the sun is shining, and escape inside Oppenheimer cafe when it isn't. The University of Puget Sound is very much a part of the neighboring Tacoma community and I feel just as comfortable shopping or eating down on 6th Avenue as I do lounging around campus. I've only been at this school for a year, but I have never once regretted my choice to transfer here, and I have absolutely loved every minute here! I look forward to two more fantastic years.

Leah

My honest opinion is that Puget Sound is an institution whose reputation is swiftly becoming more well-known, and I think it is about time. I cannot believe the incredibly high caliber of faculty through my first 5 semesters here as a student - these professors are the soul of the school and the driving force that makes the academic climate here so vigorous and exciting. I can say that at least in my department (Politics and Government), I have yet to have a negative experience in a class, and I'm shocked to realize everyone once in a while I am actually enjoying the hundreds of pages of reading I am doing for my classes, which was NOT the case in high school. The community at Puget Sound is unlike anything else I've heard from my friends at other universities - large or small around the US. Though sometimes people cringe when hearing it is in Tacoma, Washington, I have so many good things to say about what Tacoma has to offer even though it is sometimes overlooked by the bigger, more "exciting" Seattle (my hometown). Faculty and staff recognize students and know them by name, ranging from the food serving staff to the dean of students to the director of admissions. Though I know Puget Sound isn't perfect - for example we've been working on re-vamping school spirit for sports games, my experience in academics and community here has been nothing but outstanding.

Leah

My honest opinion is that Puget Sound is an institution whose reputation is swiftly becoming more well-known, and I think it is about time. I cannot believe the incredibly high caliber of faculty through my first 5 semesters here as a student - these professors are the soul of the school and the driving force that makes the academic climate here so vigorous and exciting. I can say that at least in my department (Politics and Government), I have yet to have a negative experience in a class, and I'm shocked to realize everyone once in a while to realize I am actually enjoying the hundreds of pages of reading I am doing for my classes, which was NOT the case in high school. The community at Puget Sound is unlike anything else I've heard from my friends at other universities - large or small around the US. Though sometimes people cringe when hearing it is in Tacoma, Washington, I immediately respond rattling off everything Tacoma has to offer even though it is sometimes overlooked by the bigger, more "exciting" Seattle (my hometown). Faculty and staff recognize students and know them by name, ranging from the food serving staff to the dean of students to the director of admissions. Though I know Puget Sound isn't perfect - for example we've been working on re-vamping school spirit for sports games, my experience in academics and community here has been nothing but outstanding.

Maya

The best thing about this school is the students' ability to be involved in so many different things. You can be in Greek life, play a varsity (Division III) sport, participate in numerous clubs, and also do well academically. The professors are amazing and really give every student the time they deserve and are truly interested in how we do. The school size is another great thing about Puget Sound; if you're looking for a close community, you can find it here. Tacoma wouldn't be considered a "college-town" although there is a lot to do and places to eat if you are interested in getting off of campus. Seattle is also a close, metropolitan choice for weekend outings.

Serena

Puget Sound is a fantastic school in many respects. I love the Northwest location, and Tacoma is a much cooler city than people might think. I think the size of Puget Sound is a great asset, since at 2,600 undergrads we're a little larger than the average Liberal Arts school. Being from the Midwest, not many people back home have heard about Puget Sound, and I think that speaks to the school's growing reputation. Most people at Puget Sound are from the West coast, but you will find a significant number of people from other parts of the country as well. Academics are really strong here, and most students are super involved in campus activities. In addition, there's a lot of things to do off-campus, even if you don't have a car, and other Northwest cities are fairly close by.

Erika

My overall opinion of Puget Sound is incredibly positive. I am from Utah and wanted a close knit family community since I was away from my own family. I definitely found that at school here. There is such a wide range of people in the student body that it was easy to find people I could see myself with for the next four years. Professors care so much about their students and their well being that it made me feel taken care of and at home very quickly. My classes have been great and it has been so easy to find what classes to take and to get into them. With 2600 undergraduate students I have never had a problem getting into a class I wanted or feeling that class sizes are too big. My biggest class has been about 20 and my smallest was 7. All classes are taught by professors and they really get to know their students. I am a senior now and a professor I had first semester of my freshman year says hi to me in passing everytime. Also, my advisor and peer advisor were very helpful in the whole process of adjusting to college life, registering, declaring a major, etc. I also enjoy the social life on campus here. I play a varsity sport and it is so exciting to have people come to games dressed up and to go to other sporting events in jerseys and logger gear. We have great speakers, talks, concerts, and more events held on campus. One of my personal favorites is the $1 movie nights on campus. I also am a part of Greek life. Greek life at Puget Sound is really different than I expected it would be. I never would have told you that I would be in a sorority. I am not the "stereotypical sorority girly girl". Greek life here is about community involvement both on and off campus. It is about having another family away from home. There is no rivalry between different Greek houses; one of my best friends is in a different sorority than I am. Overall, I really enjoy all aspects of Puget Sound from academics and professors to social life and location near Seattle. I would highly recommend visiting campus and seeing it for yourself!

Erika

My overall opinion of Puget Sound is incredibly positive. I am from Utah and wanted a close knit family community since I was away from my own family. I definitely found that at school here. There is such a wide range of people in the student body that it was easy to find people I could see myself with for the next four years. Professors care so much about their students and their well being that it made me feel taken care of and at home very quickly. My classes have been great and it has been so easy to find what classes to take and to get into them. With 2600 undergraduate students I have never had a problem getting into a class I wanted or feeling that class sizes are too big. My biggest class has been about 20 and my smallest was 7. All classes are taught by professors and they really get to know their students. I am a senior now and a professor I had first semester of my freshman year says hi to me in passing everytime. Also, my advisor and peer advisor were very helpful in the whole process of adjusting to college life, registering, declaring a major, etc. I also enjoy the social life on campus here. I play a varsity sport and it is so exciting to have people come to games dressed up and to go to other sporting events in jerseys and logger gear. We have great speakers, talks, concerts, and more events held on campus. One of my personal favorites is the $1 movie nights on campus. I also am a part of Greek life. Greek life at Puget Sound is really different than I expected it would be. I never would have told you that I would be in a sorority. I am not the "stereotypical sorority girly girl". Greek life here is about community involvement both on and off campus. It is about having another family away from home. There is no rivalry between different Greek houses; one of my best friends is in a different sorority than I am. Overall, I really enjoy all aspects of Puget Sound from academics and professors to social life and location near Seattle. I would highly recommend visiting campus and seeing it for yourself!