Yeah, I'm a senior majoring in Biology at UW. I love it, amazing medical school to do undergrad research at, sweet campus, rowdy greek system, lots of money from Microsoft excecs that fund programs and buildings, and lots of fun stuff to do outside of school. You have the ave to shop and eat thats a minute walk from the school, and downtown is a short free bus ride away. Its also Puget Sound, which is beyond beautiful.
The skiing here is great, about an hour to the closest place, but we have Stevens Pass, Crystal and Snoqualmie within a two hour drive. Great powder and backcountry, parks are getting there. Off season you have Lake Washington for wakeboarding and all, and the Cascades and Olympic ranges for hiking, as well as some large volcanoes that have snow year round. Its also a great location to do a ski road trip from: Baker, Hood and Whistler weekends are completely do-able. I'd say do it, and talk to me if you want the low-down on how to live near the UW.