<p>I'm a current freshman at Whitman, and I'd love to answer any questions you might have as a prospective student, an applicant, an admitted student, a possible transfer, a parent, or whatever other realm you might inhabit! I live in an all-freshman dorm, I have a work-study job on campus, I'm involved in a few clubs, and I've taken a variety of classes. The rest of the Whitman forum seems to have become a bit dead, so I thought a new thread/perspective might help. Really! Ask me stuff! I love Whitman, and I want everyone else to too.</p>
<p>Both Princeton Review and College Pr0wler give high ratings to Whitman for intramural sports. I am wondering what makes for a good intramural sports program at Whitman and at colleges in general. Are intramural sports are a success at Whitman because the type of students who attend Whitman are athletic or more inclined to play these sports in the first place? How much effort does the college’s administration put into these sports in terms of administrative support, scheduling, and refereeing and coaching? Are there many people who weren’t HS varsity types playing? Do people who play these sports get to know more students on campus because of their participation? Which are the most popular intramural sports? Lastly, do you think a good intramural sports program could exist at an LAC like Whitman without also having NCAA D3 varsity sports?</p>
<p>I’m not the best person to answer this question, as I don’t actually play IM sports, but I know a lot of people who do and can try to answer anyway! I think a “good” IM program is good because there’s a lot of student participation, and the program is student-oriented and keeps their schedules in mind. I think that Whitman is a fairly athletic school to begin with, but I think the high participation levels are more due to the fact that people just enjoy sports and the outdoors. I’m not sure how the administration factors into IM sports–I think most of the scheduling and support is up to students, which is actually a good thing because when students are organizing games, they can do so with their own schedules in mind, so games aren’t in the middle of classes due to an administrative error. Anyone can play IM sports, whether a former varsity athlete or not–and a few IM sports (like dodgeball) weren’t varsity sports to begin with, so the odds aren’t stacked against a non-varsity athlete. Many IM sports teams are organized by section or hall, so one dorm may play against another. Either way, a large percentage of campus is involved, so IM participants probably do get to know more people through the system. I honestly can’t tell you which IM sports are the most statistically popular, but from personal observation I would say flag football, soccer, basketball, and dodgeball. Finally, I think that the IM program and the varsity sports programs don’t depend on each other for survival, so I would say that a good IM program could really exist anywhere–but Whitman’s is better than most.</p>
<p>I don’t know how helpful these answers are, so here’s a link to the Whitman club/IM sports page just in case: [Club</a> Sports and Intramurals- Whitman College](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/whitman-athletics/club-sports-and-intramurals]Club”>http://www.whitman.edu/whitman-athletics/club-sports-and-intramurals)</p>
<p>Seriously, any questions? I won’t bite, I promise.</p>
<p>In the past, Whitman has been known as more of a hippie/hipster campus. When I visited, I noticed a lot of people talking about sororities and they seemed a lot prepper (ie. designer clothes, yoga pants, uggs etc) than I thought. Have any insight?</p>
<p>It’s true, there are definitely a few people like that. I think you must have just run into a group of them though–the vast majority of Whitties aren’t like that and fit better into the hippie/hipster category (though it’s still not entirely accurate). While a good portion of the campus is Greek (about 1/3), very few of them fit the traditional Greek stereotypes. The prevalence of hipsters/preppies depends on where you live and who you hang out with, but I would say that in all cases Whitties only fit those stereotypes very loosely–everyone is pretty unique!</p>
<p>Another thing I’m worried about is diversity. I’m not used to a whole lot of it but I want to go to a college that is very diverse. Whitman isn’t which I don’t like too much. How have you seen diversity at Whitman?</p>
<p>I think Whitman gets a bad rap on racial diversity. It’s true–our racial diversity numbers are on the low side compared to some other schools. But it’s not for lack of trying–the Admission office works really hard to bring diversity to campus, but the fact is that the majority of students are from the West Coast, and Washington and Oregon are two of the least diverse states in the country. As far as I can tell, they’re doing the best they can, and numbers will only increase with time.</p>
<p>However, don’t let the race statistics fool you–there’s no “hive mind” here. Just because a lot of people come from the same background doesn’t mean they’re all carbon-copies of each other. I think what we lack in racial diversity, we make up for in intellectual diversity. Every person you meet is unique and interesting in their own way, and brings a different insight to campus and classes.</p>
<p>I know Whitman is not known as a “sports school” but do you feel there is SOME student support and interest in supporting/attending their sporting events? Specifically, women’s soccer.</p>
<p>I’ve actually been to a women’s soccer game! There is definitely student support for sports–going to a volleyball or basketball game is a popular way to spend a Friday night. There is some support for women’s soccer, but I think one of the problems is that their games are usually at odd times (like early Saturday mornings) and the soccer fields are relatively far from campus, so it’s harder to make the trip. There may not be as much physical support for the team, but there’s a really supportive atmosphere.</p>
<p>Does Whitman ever feel isolated because its location?</p>
<p>If you’re someone who is really used to an urban environment, then possibly. Whitman’s location has never bothered me because I mainly stay on campus or hang out in downtown Walla Walla, and don’t try to “get out” very often. I think that Walla Walla is a great college town and a pretty cool environment. If you’re looking to go to big brand-name concerts or events every weekend, it could feel isolating, but I haven’t noticed it.</p>
<p>Can you talk about how difficult the work load is? Also how harsh is the grading? What kind of student ends up struggling academically?</p>
<p>Honestly, it depends on the classes. Just one thing I’ve noticed transitioning from high school–I have almost no “busy work” (worksheets, study guides, flashcards) but I have exponentially more reading. Again, that’s because I’m in reading-based classes, but it can still be tough. Grading can be harsh or lenient depending on the subject and the professor. Any student can struggle. Whitman is a very tough school academically, and the professors expect a lot from their students. </p>
<p>That’s the bad news–but here’s the great news. Whitman’s support system for students is incredible. All students have an SA (Student Academic Adviser) as well as an RA in their section to help them plan their schedules, read over their papers, and just give general academic advice. The Academic Resource Center is another great resource, as it sets students up with tutors and helps them evaluate their academic needs. The SAs work for the ARC and are closely associated with it. There is also the Writing Center, which is open every night and has “writing fellows,” older students who will help edit essays as well.</p>
<p>As to grading–every professor I’ve had has been very willing to help their students. I got a mediocre grade on an essay in a class, but when I went to talk to my professor, they were more than willing to let me rewrite it for a better score. Most of the professors I’ve had have been willing to help students out and let them improve scores, so long as the students are willing to put in the effort.</p>
<p>I have a question for you. Do the various residence halls have a different “feel” to them? Is there a substance free dorm?</p>
<p>I would say that yes, they each do. Jewett is typically considered to be more social–people keep their doors open and people stop by and chat frequently. Anderson is considered to be quieter and more studious (though I’m not sure if this is actually true). Prentiss is the all-girls dorm, so it definitely has a different feel being only one gender, and it also houses the sororities. Lyman is kind of the grab bag of the dorms (and I don’t mean this in a bad way at all)–it houses students of all grades, genders, and interests, so it’s very diverse. North is a little ways off campus and can seem isolated, and is generally regarded as being the quietest dorm on campus. There is not a substance-free dorm, but Whitman’s substance policy is very strict (no drugs, period, and all alcohol must be behind closed doors) so you won’t see any substances out in the open. Does that help?</p>
<p>How hard is it to transfer to Whitman as a sophomore? I didn’t get accepted this year as an incoming freshmen for RD, just wondering what my chances are and about the FA for transfer students as well.</p>
<p>Honestly, I’m not sure. I know that Admission receives quite a few applications from transfer students and that the Class of 2016 has 23 transfer students, but as to difficulty and FA I’m not sure–that would probably be a question for Admission and FA Officers. I’m really sorry that you weren’t accepted and I wish you best of luck in the future!</p>
<p>ardenatwhitman, I most sincerely thank you for your kindness and willingness to help the other students, accepted or not yet accepted ––*I don’t like the word “rejected”…
I got accepted about half a week ago, and now is waiting for my package to come. A little worried but more excited to see the amount of my financial aid award.
You’re a very good writer, ardenat… If you are considered as a mediocre writer at Whitman, I’m very happy to know that the school is challenging, keen in sharpening the students’ ability to write, therefore, to think, and at last from the overall tone of your writing, you reflect the characteristics I want to see in my family at Whitman in the future –– genuine, understanding, clever, and playful too.</p>
<p>sandgaa, thank you so much for such kind words! Honestly, it’s my pleasure to help out anyone I can with college questions. The whole college admission process is a scary thing, and if I can make someone’s life a little easier by answering something for them, then that’s great. I just think back to where I was a year ago and remember how helpful it was to know a Whittie who could answer all my questions. In the end, I just love Whitman, and I want everyone to come here (but actually know the truth about it at the same time). Congratulations on your acceptance, and I hope your FA award is what you’re looking for!</p>