<p>I have had the pleasure of being accepted to both Bates and Whitman
However, I am stuck as to where I want to go.
What are your opinions on these schools... Looking @ strength in sciences, social scenes, double majoring, Greek life (At Whit), study abroad programs, food, etc. Basically any topic is fair game :)</p>
<p>I have visited Bates and am going to visit Whitman, but due to a friend who attends Bates, I don't want to attend there just because she has been providing me with (what is probably) biased information</p>
<p>Thanks for the help</p>
<p>You already know about the science strengths of Whitman. I’m a parent so I can’t comment on day to day life, but I will say that my daughter is extremely happy there and has a lot of friends. Many of them study science and work hard at it, but she is amazed at how much else these students do - mentoring in the community, participating in sports, music, social life. Greek life is apparently more noticeable amongst the guys as only they have off campus houses, but everyone seems to be included in their parties. The surrounding area is quite agricultural with 300 days of sun a year (so they say!), so the food service serves locally grown produce as much as possible. There are a lot of theatre productions but they are popular and sell out quickly. Great radio station. New gorgeous gym. Don’t know where you’re from, but flying in and out of Walla Walla isn’t too expensive if you get your tickets way in advance. There’s also Pasco airport with an easy 45 minute bus to Walla Walla.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight! 
This decision just got a little harder.</p>
<p>I guess it really will come down to the visit…
Bates and Whit both have 2 things that I am currently unsure
Whit - Travel (I live in CT - but from Wa) and Greek Life (Which appears to be present, not dominant)
Bates - Dorms and Weather (Maine… 'nuff said! haha)</p>
<p>I think that I would choose Bates, but I encourage you to visit both and then decide what feels right.</p>
<p>Could you elaborate as to why? :)</p>
<p>varanasi1, have you had a chance to visit both? You’ve chosen 2 schools with a lot of similarities. They are both great schools. The most obvious difference is the NW vs. the NE. Whitman seems to be better known for the sciences-have you read about the 2 new microscopes? Whitman has about 150 fewer students but almost twice the endowment of Bates, scores an academic ranking of 98 (Princeton Review) vs. Bates at 94, gives 76% of the students need based financial aid vs. Bates at 43%. I’m sure there are things Bates has over Whitman tho, to be fair! Good luck!</p>
<p>varanisi, why is Greek life a deciding factor for you? Do you want to join, or do you want to avoid it? Neither Bates nor Whitman seems to have a big Greek scene. It should be easy to avoid if that’s what you want. If joining a society is what you want, then you ought to go visit or contact a couple of fraternities/sororities at each school to see if they have the philosophy/atmosphere you’re after.</p>
<p>These are both fine colleges. I encouraged my kid to apply to Bates (which he didn’t) just because I liked the course descriptions in their catalog so much. However, I’ve seen negative comments about the surrounding town. Walla Walla is rather remote but it sounds like a nicer environment with a sunnier climate than Lewiston. You really can’t go wrong with either one, though.</p>
<p>I would choose Whitman in a heartbeat despite the fact that travel from CT will be a royal pain!! It’s a fabulous school and students are dileriously happy there-kind of sporty, lots of theater, bright, well-rounded student body. It’s in the Eastern part of Washington, so much drier than typical Seattle-type weather. Very agricultural with lots of wheat, wine and onions!! HAHA. Walla Walla, as a town and a place to call “home” wins hands down over Lewiston. Not even close! It’s a chance to live in another part of the country, if that appeals to you.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: My parents are Whitman grads and I was not particularly impressed with Bates when my D and I visited two years ago. Great academics, but not a place I would want to live for 4 years.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Agree w/Whitman.
Bates is too insular geographically speaking! you will be one of MANY New Englanders.
Branch out a bit!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the insight!
I am going to be visiting Whitman on Thursday and Bates next Monday/Tuesday for their accepted students day program</p>
<p>and to answer TK’s point about Greek Life, I really have no interest in the system at all. My main worry about schools with Greek systems is that they dominate social atmospheres like at some schools I know of.
Mainly what that gets to is the ability to be able to attend school and not feel like I have to spend every weekend drinking like others that I know. I’m quirky and laid back, (at least, I think so) so I would love to have other options to do (when I’m not studying :P)</p>
<p>Love to hear your comments after your visits!</p>
<p>Hey Kolijma! I just got back from a visit at Whitman and can say that… I’m confused!
I loved the campus. Loved loved loved! the students seemed great and amazing and fun and the weather was gorgeous.
However, the confusion arrives from the classes that I attended. While they were both Freshman year classes, they did not appear to be very difficult. The english spoken by the students was very… “seattle” (with a lot of “likes” and “you knows” etc) and one of the classes (during a discussion of Voltaire) failed to reach into a deeper understanding of the text (that I am reading with my english class now)
Alongside that was the fact that my host, along with a few of his friends, gave me the impression that Whitman students don’t study much. A care for the educational opportunities seemed lacking and I fear that Whitman, if the rest of the students are like this, may be too laid back, even for me.</p>
<p>I think that at every college you are going to find a gamut of intellectual curiosity and application, even occasionally amongst the professors. The English class discussion of Voltaire would have been a disappointment. Whitman’s academics and professors have garnered an excellent reputation in higher ed and it’s unfortunate that your experience didn’t reflect that. For my D, it’s been everything she was expecting and more. The friends I’ve met are impressive and doing some amazing things. The rigor you are seeking is certainly there, but perhaps you would be more reassured by pming some of the students who occasionally post here. You would get a broader picture I think.</p>