Applicants to Portland area schools 2011

jimithing112 · May 24, 2011

Hello, I am going off tangent here but I just want to ask you how you are planning to commute to OHSU? I visited the campus yesterday and unfortunately parking is a nuisance there. For me to take the bus/max from Beaverton, it will take me a good 80+ minutes. I just found out right now though that I can also park at the Schnitzer Lot and take the tram up for $7 daily..then a 15 minute walk to the Son building. It just seems like a lot of work. I am so sad that I might have to let go of OHSU due to this issue. I know parking should not be an issue but as much stress as I am anticipating when school starts, I am not enthused to add more to it just from this issue. Is anyone in the same boat as I am?
Still have not made up my mind between CCC & OHSU

If this is your only reason for not choosing OHSU...oy. I think it's safe to say that most students at OHSU and many employees take public transportation. As a student, you'll likely never get a parking sticker (years and years-long waitlist, and I think that's just for employees, anyway). I live in Beaverton and commute by bus to OHSU daily for work. Have you looked into the express buses? I park my car by Sesame Donuts and catch the 61 express. It takes about 35 minutes.

jimithing112 · May 24, 2011

I'm worried about parking, too. I found a free shuttle that picks up from all the OHSU campuses, including the one downtown, and stops at the main Marquam Hill area, so I'm interested in exploring that. I found out about it from the OHSU transportation website. Also, I believe that students and employees receive free tram passes. Taking a bus is not really going to work for me, either. I am not considering going to another school because of this issue, but I am definitely going to find the easiest and cheapest route to get there...

Employees and students ride the tram for free with their OHSU ID. OHSU also offers *heavily* subsidized Trimet (and C-Tran, although I don't know the pricing) passes, as a little sticker on your ID badge. It's probably different somehow for students, but as an employee, it's a paycheck deduction of about $12.50 for 2 weeks (about $325/year). If you drove and parked on campus (if you even could get a spot -- they only sell limited amounts of day passes) 5 days a week, you'd spend more than that on your 6th week of class (9.5 weeks if you parked at the Schnitzer lot on the waterfront). Pretty much anyone you talk to on campus, especially in the transportation & parking office, will strongly suggest you hop on the bus. It's the price you pay for going to OHSU. Plus you get more study time on those bus rides. ;-) Check out express lines 61, 64, 65, 66, and the 8, which runs what seems like every 5 minutes.

kiwiapple · May 24, 2011

If this is your only reason for not choosing OHSU...oy. I think it's safe to say that most students at OHSU and many employees take public transportation. As a student, you'll likely never get a parking sticker (years and years-long waitlist, and I think that's just for employees, anyway). I live in Beaverton and commute by bus to OHSU daily for work. Have you looked into the express buses? I park my car by Sesame Donuts and catch the 61 express. It takes about 35 minutes.

I know it sounds ridiculous but unfortunately, it can contribute to my decision making (other than costs, etc). Despite the fact that I am very pleased to be accepted at OHSU, as a student I am very focused when it comes to my studying time and would rather study at home than waste my time in longer commutes (just my personal opinion though).

Can you please give me more info as far as which Sesame Donuts you park at? Is this past Canyon by the intersection? Is there a parking lot there where you can park for the whole day there?, If so, how much would that cost? I am planning to spend an afternoon tomorrow to practice getting to OHSU & I may try your suggestion [: I will also try the Schnitzer lot.

Thank you so much for all your helpful suggestions!

jimithing112 · May 24, 2011

If this is your only reason for not choosing OHSU...oy. I think it's safe to say that most students at OHSU and many employees take public transportation. As a student, you'll likely never get a parking sticker (years and years-long waitlist, and I think that's just for employees, anyway). I live in Beaverton and commute by bus to OHSU daily for work. Have you looked into the express buses? I park my car by Sesame Donuts and catch the 61 express. It takes about 35 minutes.

I know it sounds ridiculous but unfortunately, it can contribute to my decision making (other than costs, etc). Despite the fact that I am very pleased to be accepted at OHSU, as a student I am very focused when it comes to my studying time and would rather study at home than waste my time in longer commutes (just my personal opinion though).

Can you please give me more info as far as which Sesame Donuts you park at? Is this past Canyon by the intersection? Is there a parking lot there where you can park for the whole day there?, If so, how much would that cost? I am planning to spend an afternoon tomorrow to practice getting to OHSU & I may try your suggestion [: I will also try the Schnitzer lot.

Thank you so much for all your helpful suggestions!

Yup, the one at Beaverton Hillsdale/Oleson/Scholls Ferry. There's angled spots on Dogwood, off of BHH in front of Sesame Donuts. There's also street parking farther down Dogwood and in the neighborhood there. It's free. Be sure to check the express bus schedules before you practice, as they only run during commute hours (another thing to consider when making your decision!) There's also a park and ride lot on Laurelwood Ave, off of BHH. It's a church parking lot. There's also lots of free, time limitless parking in that neighborhood, and the 61 stops there, too. It also stops at Sunset and Capitol Hwy, by Wilson HS. For school holidays, spring break, etc, you can park in their lot by the stadium. There are lots of options; these are just the ones I've used in the past. I'd recommend calling Trimet to see what suggestions they have. Their people are much more helpful than the trip planner feature, since it assumes you ONLY want to take the bus or the max to reach your destination.

pdxmomazon · May 25, 2011

If this is your only reason for not choosing OHSU...oy.

That's funny. I didn't apply to OHSU in part because of this very reason! I had an ex who worked up at OHSU in pre-tram days and it was a mess trying to get her to/from work sometimes, especially when it snowed/iced up.

I'm a parent and picking up/dropping off my kids from daycare/school/after-school care will require a car, especially when mixed with the time demands of an accelerated program. I knew it'd be easier for me to get to Linfield than to OHSU, even though, as the bird flies, I live closer to OHSU! There are lots of factors that go into deciding which school is the best fit for you. Yes, even parking!

jimithing112 · May 25, 2011

That's funny. I didn't apply to OHSU in part because of this very reason! I had an ex who worked up at OHSU in pre-tram days and it was a mess trying to get her to/from work sometimes, especially when it snowed/iced up.
I'm a parent and picking up/dropping off my kids from daycare/school/after-school care will require a car, especially when mixed with the time demands of an accelerated program. I knew it'd be easier for me to get to Linfield than to OHSU, even though, as the bird flies, I live closer to OHSU! There are lots of factors that go into deciding which school is the best fit for you. Yes, even parking!

I realize it's a factor in decision-making. I just wanted to let everyone know that there are lots of transportation options that aren't as bad as they seem.

Ginnym1981 · May 26, 2011

Any waitlister's from MHCC getting called yet?

#21 dying over here... lol

ca336 · May 26, 2011

Yes!! I heard from them on Monday, although I was pretty high on the list but they are indeed moving through. As a reminder to everyone else please notify your schools if you know whether you intend to accept, think of the wait listers! :) Good luck

emmyers, RN · May 26, 2011

Yes!! I heard from them on Monday, although I was pretty high on the list but they are indeed moving through. As a reminder to everyone else please notify your schools if you know whether you intend to accept, think of the wait listers! :) Good luck

What number where you when you were called?

And to the number 21 person, don't forget to notify us when they call you, and good luck!

k1977 · May 26, 2011

I have to say that I was relieved not to worry about this issue anymore once I decided to go with CCC. I hadn't realized that the parking/commute was stressing me out until I already made the decision to go to CCC because it was cheaper. It's going to be hard enough for me to get to clinicals by 7AM, without having to worry about parking.

Didn't you get a call from an OHSU student last night? They called me because I'm still on the list, even though I've declined, and a current student might be able to give you some advice on this.

yellow6t · May 26, 2011

For those who got through the first stage of PCC. Does anyone remember during the opening lecture how many alternates there were? Also, anyone else deciding not to go to PCC or anyone they know not going? Sorry for the repetition :S My nerves are still all over the place! Thanks to those who are letting us waitlisters know where they stand!!

northargyle · May 27, 2011

I got the MHCC call on Monday...I was the # 3 alternate...GLTA!