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Why you should visit campus

by Jennifer Johnson,

Students near Mill Stream

What type of learner are you? Do you envision yourself among a sea of students in class, or only a dozen? What social environment do you thrive in? 

Whether you’ve just Googled “Best colleges 2022” or you’ve plotted the exact distance from your ideal campus to Starbucks, you might have some questions about college and what’s right for you. The best — and in some cases, the only — way to find out is by visiting the institution yourself. 

Even if your goal is to gain an overall sense of a liberal arts school, a visit will dramatically move your college search forward, said Dean of Admission Sue Corner.  

“You can learn broadly what you want then zero in on actual schools,” she said. 

Determining a good fit involves looking beyond the availability of academic programs and majors. Whether you’re interested in health and wellness resources, academic support services or the variety of housing options, these are things you can explore during a visit. A great conversation with a professor or admissions counselor can also make a difference in how you view a college, and for many students, the deciding factor is a campus tour. 

Willamette welcomes virtual and in-person visitors at all stages of the search process this spring. Virtual visits can be a great place to start, but nothing can replace actually being here in person. Standing beneath the Star Trees, sitting by the Mill Stream and visiting the Bistro are all best experienced in person, especially at a campus like ours. 

“One of the best parts of my job is welcoming visitors to campus and watching their eyes light up as they realize they’ve found a community that feels like home,” said Corner. “When you visit, you’ll see and feel why Willamette’s close-knit community is so special.” 

About the College of Arts & Sciences

Our historic campus next to the State Capitol in Salem houses a renowned residential arts and sciences college, and our downtown Portland campus houses the flagship Pacific Northwest College of Art. Professional graduate programs in Portland and Salem include the Northwest's oldest law school, Oregon's top-ranked MBA program, MA and MFA programs in the arts, writing and critical studies, and our MS in data science program.

Willamette University

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