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Topic: Bellingham or Fort Collins? (Read 786 times)
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Donnelly_M
5Member
Offline
Posts: 22
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I recently have gotten out of the US Navy, and am going back college to pursue a degree in Geology/Earth Sciences. I have recently been accepted to both Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and Western Washington University. In terms of year round skiing and access to glaciers, WWU would seem like the better choice. Weather is really not an issue. My questions are:
How would an older non-traditional transfer student fit in at WWU or Bellingham in general?
How is the social scene?
Culture?
Cost of living?
How hard is it to find part time work?
Networking for my chosen degree?
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Chuck C
Member
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Posts: 229
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Fort Collins. No debate. Academically the school is far beyond WWU, especially in science fields. Although built up Nowadays Ft Fun has plenty of outdoors stuff to offer except saltwater stuff. The weather is better too. I will admit it can get dusty there. The brewery scene is pretty good. People are a lot more laid back than here in Pugetopolis. Finally, you won't find any rocky mountain oyster specials in Bham. Maybe something with sprouts.
Note, that I am biased having graduated from CSU before moving out here.
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blitz
Member
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Posts: 314
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For a long ski season - Bellingham, for a long rock season - Ft Collins.
If you want a job after graduate school, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Bangor Sub Base (Bremerton) are always looking for engineers because the babyboomers are retiring in droves now. Your active duty time will count toward your GS retirement. You probably can get a scholarship AND a job if you pick and geo engineering instead of geo science liberal arts (ask your transition program advisor about that).
And - thank you for your service to our country!
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alisa
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skykilo
Member
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Posts: 693
WWW
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I don't have any sage advice but good luck with school, Donnelly.
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Jonn-E
Member
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Posts: 146
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If you're looking for post-graduation work/networking in Geology then Ft. Collins is going to be far better. If you are doing other types of Earth Sciences than Bellingham may offer some opportunities, but not many. There is a lot of activity in the Denver Metro in geosciences due to petroleum production and thorny groundwater issues. If you wish to continue your studies, Denver area (Golden, Boulder) have the most advanced Earth Science research labs and administration facilities in the country.
But I do think Boundary Bay makes better beer than New Belgium 
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Donnelly_M
5Member
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Posts: 22
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I'm getting the sense Fort Collins might be the better choice. However, I can't imagine WWU is that bad of a school in comparison. I have checked out the community, the college campus, housing, and Navy Reserve opportunities in Fort Collins. Since I will be using the Post 9/11 GI Bill, I do get a monthly housing allowance which varies depending on what location I will be living in. If I were to live in Bellingham, I get nearly $200 dollars more a month than I would in F. Collins, yet rent and housing I've come across on the internet is cheaper in Bellingham. Coupled with the Navy bases somewhat nearby, there seems more opportunity for Reserve duty and maybe some full time support action, not that I want to keep delaying pursuing my degree, but financial stability is an issue for me.
I suppose joining the Airforce Reserve is a viable option since there seem to be more Airforce bases in Colorado, but it depends on if the Navy Reserve would release me to the Airforce Reserve since I am technically obligated for another 3 years, although on IRR status right now. I plan on checking out WWU along with talking to both Airforce and Navy Reserve recruiters to see what is available. Thanks for the suggestions and information. If anyone has more information on either college that would be helpful. I'm happy to finally be out of Florida!
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Chuck C
Member
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Posts: 229
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Its not that WWU is a bad school, its just that CSU is just that much better in all sciences that I can think of, geology/earth sciences included. A visit to the places should make that apparent. You've also got the USGS in Golden if I remember right. That would lend some access opportunities. Also note that the Washington "legislature" is aggressively pricing people out of higher education, especially if you are an out of state resident. I don't know what the situation is in Colorado but tuition out here is screaming upwards every year. I paid out of state at CSU but it was awhile ago.
As far as beer goes, I think Boundary Bay and Chuckanut make fine products and may be edging out New Belgium, but Ft Collins also has Odells, Coopersmiths and several others in town. Not that that should influence your educational choices.
Maybe check around on LinkedIn.com to see where professionals in your field of interest went and then Go Ram.
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