Both are out West, both attract similarly outdoorsy students, and both are small and liberal arts. Colorado College is ranked higher, more exclusive, and has the block plan. Whitman is more affordable, in the PNW, and does not have a block plan. What would you guys say is the biggest difference between the schools? How would I choose between them?
Can you visit? It often comes down to which you like best in person.
The major difference is the block plan. It’s not for everyone and it’s great for certain students. Think long and hard on whether you like taking several classes at once over a longer period of time or if you’d rather study one course intensely for a shorter period of time with very little opportunity to add/drop without impacting on your overall schedule.
SlackerMomMD is right. I have a friend who went to CC and majored in geology, the block plan was great for extended field trips, but she said the humanities classes that required a lot of reading were really intense. Whitman has the traditional schedule. Whitman is well respected and rigorous, but a bit off the beaten path and therefore less well known. My son loved Walla Walla and his experience there, he didn’t see the location as a drawback at all. The Outdoor Program is really great!