Academics
Traditional academics are strong at Willamette, but perhaps what stands out most is that "learning opportunities outside of the classroom are endless." Located right across the street from the Oregon state capitol, there are countless "leadership opportunities and student research opportunities." Professors here are "very willing to help students find internships, jobs and research opportunities." In the classroom, those same professors are "incredible resources" who "are all very dedicated to their classes rather than research or outside obligations," and who provide classes that "are interesting and varied." You will be challenged, but only with the goal of helping you succeed. As one student notes, "I have felt intellectually pushed outside my comfort zone while still being incredibly supported in all of my academic classes." Another noticed that "my professors are not looking to fail me or weed me out of classes; they just believe in me, and want me to excel." These educators "make their material relevant" and tend to be "passionate about their subject." Classes are "often discussion-based, not lecture-based, so students are not just regurgitating information they hear from a professor, but working with the material and exploring their own thoughts and ideas." Overall, the environment here "encourages growth and development, both inside and outside the classroom," which one student says is "unique to a small Liberal Arts school."
