It’s easy to go on and on about the wonders of Portland—the natural beauty, the green, progressive ethos, the DIY culture, the bike-friendliness—but what it boils down to is this: Portland is cool. It just is. Nestled among towering trees and trillium-lined creeks, our campus is only six miles from the city’s vibrant downtown.

Portland straddles the line between big city and small town. It's large enough to host the NBA’s Trail Blazers, a symphony orchestra, and the international headquarters of several big high-tech companies. Yet it's small enough to be home to such gems as Mill Ends Park, the world's smallest park (a two-foot-diameter circle); the world's only H.P. Lovecraft film festival; and Voodoo Doughnut, an all-night shop that features creations like the Grape Ape (vanilla frosting and grape drink powder) and Dirt (vanilla glaze and Oreo cookies). It’s also a haven for creative types—Gus Van Sant, Beverly Cleary, Sleater-Kinney, Chuck Palahniuk, Matt Groening, and Elliott Smith have all called Portland home.

Portland is also where our students engage in community service, industry internships, and research projects. Although most undergrads live on campus, graduate and law students find housing in neighborhoods close by. Either way, cars are optional—getting around town is easy by bike, bus, streetcar, light rail, and Lewis & Clark shuttle.

Sure, it can be pretty rainy. But we have gorgeous weather, too—and the rain is what keeps the flora here so amazingly lush. There are numerous parks and hiking trails in and around the city, and a one- or two-hour road trip brings you to just about every type of terrain imaginable—rugged mountain ranges, sandy coastal beaches, wild and scenic rivers, volcanoes, glaciers, dramatic high deserts, ski areas, and cool, mossy old-growth forests. (Still, if nature’s not your thing, don't worry. Portland’s got plenty of other stuff to do, with its vibrant music scene, hipster coffee hangouts, locally owned boutique shops, huge and funky bookstores, and renowned foodie culture. You'll be fine.)