<p>I've been accepted to both schools. I live in Salem, Oregon--Whitman is a 5 hour drive, Beloit a 1/2 day plane ride coming from the west. I know distance issue is important for me, but I wonder if I should stay in the West, or if it will continue to be meaningful. Beloit has offered me $13,500 merit scholarship, nothing from Whitman. I think both schools are great, and this just seems to be an impossible decision.</p>
<p>Whitman has a fabulous alum network and a great reputation. If your long term interest is to live in the West/Northwest Whiitman will have advantages. On the other hand, if you want Chicagoland or the midwest in general, Beloit is a winner. Money is hard to ignore--but you may want to add up annual travel costs to see what would really remain in hand if you go east. They are both good schools. Follow your heart.</p>
<p>i live in the Chicago area and I looked at Beloit, but hated it!!!!! Personally I think it is an awful campus full of apathetic students. The labs I saw were run down and the campus was in need of some watering; everything was brown!!! Oh...and the meal I had on campus was worse than anything I have ever had!! The food was cold and nothing seemed clean!! I might have just had a bad day---but Whitman is such a better school in every way!! Even though Beloit offered a lot of money think about your happiness as well. Personally I would rather spend the money for better facilities and happiness.</p>
<p>Does Whitman have a strong reputation on the west coast? If I pan on living in the San Francisco area would employers value a Whitman education over a University of Chicago education I know we are just talking about undergrad and that it really doesnt matter, but could you guys just ponder the idea??</p>
<p>At first I thought no one had really heard of Whitman and that its prestige didn't go very far, but my mom's friend who lives in san rafael (right outside san francisco) CA was very impressed that I was going there and said that it would probably open some doors for me with employers on the west coast and graduate schools around the country. I doubt that if you asked someone off the street they'd know how great Whitman is, but the people who would be granting you opportunities will known what a Whitman education means. I guess I can't say it would be more prestigious than the u of chi because that is a more well known school nationally, but for the west coast I don't think you will have much to worry about in terms of prestige with Whitman.</p>