<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 winnder. 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 pretty much agree with mmaah. They are both great schools. I know that Beloit has outposts of alumni in Seattle and Portland, but the number of Whitman alums and the contacts would be greater on the West Coast. On the other hand, in the Midwest the opposite would be true.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that you will likely recieve a top-notch education at either school. If money is a factor, then personally I believe that the perceived qualitative difference between the schools are not sufficient enough to warrant the more expensive choice. On the other hand, if money is less of a factor, then I would follow my heart. Assuming that you visited both places, I would go to the place where you felt like you most belonged.</p>
<p>When I made my selection, my decision was between Grinnell, Kenyon and Beloit. Beloit offered me a better financial package and I personally felt most comfortable there. While I have a great deal of respect for both of the other colleges and I feel certain I would have received a great education at either Grinnell or Kenyon, personally I never regretted my decision to attend Beloit.</p>
<p>A tough, but pleasant decision.</p>
<p>Max, my son faced tough decisions this time last year, with the opposite financial incentive -- Beloit was the school that didn't offer any money to him. Neveretheless that what where he chose to attend and he is delighted with the choice. I believe you will get an excellent education at either school, and while I don't know Whitman's networking power in the northwest, I know it has many happy, loyal, successful alums and have to assume it exists. Do you have a gut feel for either school, or some comfort level test? As for distance, a five hour drive is pretty hefty. If you were talking two hour drive vs. a flight, that might be a scale-tipper. Good luck with your decision. Sometimes an embarrassment of riches can be a real problem.</p>
<p>Last fall at new student orientation, we met a girl from Alaska that was starting Beloit, her sister was with her and had just graduated from Whitman. Both liked their choices. I do not have a way for you to contact them, but they would surely be able to give you some insight. Maybe this is a dumb post?</p>