I'm a current freshman! Any questions?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Whitman College
1

<p>Hi CC!</p>

<p>So I just started attending Whitman this fall. CC was a big resource for me in my last couple years of high school, so I feel like I need to give back! Especially since Whitman's forum is so quiet.</p>

<p>If anyone has questions about my perspective or anything about the school, feel free to ask them. I may be slow because I'm fairly busy, and I won't be able to answer everything (hopefully something) but here I am to do what I can. I also live in a building with a whole bunch of other Whitties that will answer what I can't!</p>

<p>I have a passion for helping people apply to and choose colleges, so I think this'll be fun. :)</p>

2

<p>Whitman vs. Pomona vs. Williams?</p>

3

<p>I think I’d prefer if this topic just had Whitman-specific questions, but I’ll give you my input anyway: Each school has its own strengths and weaknesses. Whichever one is “better” will depend on the individual and what you just asked was just so vague.</p>

<p>I’m sure you know more about the other two schools than I do, so I’ll just leave it at that!</p>

4

<p>What is the social life like? I know that there is Greek life, but is that a big part of the social scene? Are there off campus parties? Frat parties? I looking more for low key get togethers on the weekend than huge parties. Also, how is the work load? Do you find that you have enough time to do things and still manage to get your work done?</p>

5

<p>This post summarized: The social life is super cool. It’s relaxed and you can do whatever the heck you want.</p>

<p>There’s always events going on like… community service, theater shows, one-time life skill classes, indoor kayaking, contra dances, IM sports, varsity sports, interesting lectures, etc etc. I had a long list earlier, but I shortened it a lot as to not spoil the fun! There’s always random things going on, and doing all those is definitely what I prefer. Last Friday I even walked over to my professor’s house with a group of friends and attended her homemade dessert party at her house (including AMAZING homemade green tomato salsa I might add).</p>

<p>I don’t know about off-campus parties, unless they’re at bars or something. There are definitely frat parties every weekend for those that want to go. I’m pretty sure they’re open to everyone for the most part. I’m not in a sorority myself, and I think the Greek system is totally fine. Sometimes you hear about the happenings in different fraternities and sororities, and obviously you won’t be invited to their events if you aren’t part of it, but they honestly to me they just feel like any other group of friends. Half of my friends are indie and half of my friends are not - all of my friends are awesome Whitties.</p>

<p>Or, the other option is to just do whatever. Explore the super cool downtown, explore the super cool not-so downtown of Walla Walla, go on a bike ride, climb stacks in the wheat fields and watch the sunset, go to one of the many parks. So much to just explore and feel free- alone or with friends.</p>

<p>It seems everyone has a busy workload… all the time. But obviously, with all these events going on and with so many students attending all the time, we make time. Honestly, no workload is “surprising” for any class, so you get what you register for. I’ve never found a Saturday that I just HAD to stay in my room to work all day. It’s not that kind of busy and if you want time, you can make time. Everybody respects your time when you want to do homework, and they’re totally up for spending time with you when you don’t. It’s a much heavier load from what I’m used to in high school, but I think everybody finds it manageable while still loving their social life. And homework can be a fun way to spend time too!</p>

<p>Also, it’s never hard to find somebody with similar interests. People here always want to do things - anything!</p>

6

<p>You say that downtown is pretty cool but how would you describe the surrounding area as a whole? I’m applying to a bunch of east coast schools because I’m craving a city…and then there’s Whitman. Should I be worried about feeling isolated from city life in Walla Walla?</p>

7

<p>It’ll definitely be a change. Walla Walla has just soo many cool people and things going on, but the small city feel is hard to avoid. However, the small city feel is just so unique and cozy. All these independent little stores and restaurants everywhere. It’s adorable and I personally love it.</p>

<p>That said, one of my best friends here is from the NYC. And she loves it here BECAUSE the atmosphere is so different. Of course she loves the city and misses the city - she’s totally a city girl - but coming to Walla Walla and Whitman, it’s just homey and nice with little fun things all around. For example: the oldest independent record store in Washington has survived here, and it’s called “Hot Poop.” And my favorite store here is a little stationary store with a bunch of quirky cards, books, and silly little things.</p>

<p>Also, the wheat fields are just three blocks north and it’s seriously the most amazing place I’ve ever been. It probably wasn’t safe, but I’ve been up there once with friends to watch a thunderstorm… Just wow.</p>

<p>Whether or not it’s something you should “worry” about is up to you, but there’s a lot to appreciate about living somewhere like Walla Walla, WA for four college years. My advice would be to visit if you can, and make sure you at least take a walk down Main St.</p>

8

<p>Hi! A few very general questions…
Can you explain freshman orientation?
How are the dorms, which one did you choose to live in, and why?
Food-quality, variety, etc
Types of students–I wouldn’t consider myself an outdoorsy-adventure type person… I’m very preppy and from NJ… Would I fit in?</p>

9

<p>Freshman Orientation: Super fun! Always busy with things to do and you’re always trying to find time to catch up with people back at home. It’s very tiring… basically there’s a bunch of talks and stuff you have to go to, section meetings, fun games, strange games, and registration. And you meet so many people that you won’t remember. You introduce yourself to like 30 people a day… but you’ll only remember very few. But in addition, you have section mates you know are living with you, and lots of people make close friends on their Scrambles or SCORE trips.</p>

<p>Dorms: Currently I’m living in North, but I didn’t put this in my choices when they asked because I wasn’t aware it was even open to freshmen… It’s pretty awesome here. Most people have single rooms with their own bathrooms and everyone is different and quirky in their own way. I think my top choice was Lyman because I preferred to have a double room but split into two separate rooms. I liked the privacy it would’ve given me. But I get even more privacy now, living in a single room. I think all the dorms are pretty cool for different reasons.</p>

<p>The food here is so fun. It’s pretty darn delicious every day. Prentiss, Jewett, and Lyman (smaller) serve similar food and I’m always eager to check the menus. Usually they have a vegan option and a meat option with a bunch of side dishes. In addition to the things they change daily (including two soups), they also have: Pasta bar for dinner (sometimes lunch), deli bar for lunch, made-to-order at Prentiss and Reid, salad bar, dessert bar, soups, wafflemaker, bagels and stuff if you don’t want to eat the hot food they’re serving. The dining hall food is really good for the most part. Reid, our campus center, also has really really good food. In addition to their weekly specials, they always have burgers, pizzas, nachos, pasta, the cafe. All DELICIOUS. But you’re paying with flex dollars instead of meal swipes.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure everyone fits in at Whitman, because we have that kind of nature. People will love you and accept you for who you are. Whitman has the nicest and most accepting people you’ll ever meet. This is what has honestly changed the most about me. My SCORE leaders this summer were just amazing people - the way they treated everyone was so inspiring. I’ve definitely become a better person because of my two leaders. I think there’s a very outdoorsy vibe going on here, but there’s also definitely people that would rather stay indoors, and that’s cool too. Be whoever you want to be here! There are people that crawl over to class in pajamas and people that come to class with suit & tie or dresses. Literally everyone fits in. Come spend a night with us. You’ll see! </p>

<p>Also, one of my best friends is from NJ!
Also, I hope these posts aren’t too rambley…</p>

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<p>Oh yes! And before I forget to mention - I’m sure all the hosts are wonderful, but if anyone’s interested, contact me if you’d happen to like an overnight stay with me specifically. I would love to host!</p>

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<p>THANKS!!! helped a lot!</p>

12

<p>What are these wheatfields you speak of?! Sounds very picturesque.</p>

<p>How prevalent is drinking in the social scene?</p>

<p>How amazing are your professors and classmates? Is the classroom environment intriguing? Do you feel like what you’re learning is valuable?</p>

<p>EDIT: Oh, and where else did you apply/what were your stats if you don’t mind me asking?</p>

13

<p>The wheat fields are my love. :)</p>

<p>People drink - it’s college. Pretty easy to obtain. On the weekends there’s alcohol and plenty of people go at it, but it’s easy to avoid. I don’t drink and none of it bothers me. Not many of my friends drink every weekend and probably more than half of my friends don’t ever drink. Then again lots of people party every weekend. I think the drinking level here is pretty average.</p>

<p>My professors are amazing. Not all the professors are perfect though - they have their strong points and weak points. I think that comes with every individual. I’ve only been here for one semester, but from what I’ve learned from my experience and other students’ experiences, they’re all unique people and all have different teaching styles and being in every different class is a different valuable learning experience. However, it’s a fact that they’re all great people and every single one of them is willing to help you learn. It’s so nice to be able to come in for office hours so often and ask for help whenever you need it - it’s something everyone definitely uses… a lot. I haven’t heard of any professor that isn’t extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. Again, they help with the very comfortable Whitman atmosphere!</p>

<p>I probably can’t remember everywhere I applied… but I’ll attempt. I’m from Portland by the way. PSU, Whitman, Willamette, Carleton, Claremont, Pomona, Rice, um… that’s all I can remember. Haha. But in the end I was choosing between Carleton and Whitman - I wanted the experience of being away from the city for college. My stats… oh man. Um. SAT was ~2000, perfect attendance, 4.0 unweighted, ed-in-chief of newspaper, varsity tennis captain and 1st doubles seed 4 years, leadership in Key Club/NHS, Spanish honors society, Full IB, Lots and lots of passion in community service, flute and piano in top band. I think those are the big ones… Oh man. Thinking about my high school life again is so weird… I visited my high school for Thanksgiving break. So much fun! Oh yeah, maybe a week-long Thanksgiving break would be an incentive to apply to Whitman. Most schools don’t get that. :D</p>

14

<p>Thanks for the response, last question: are you satisfied with your financial aid package from Whitman?</p>

15

<p>Yes, yes I am.</p>

16

<p>are you on the Whitman tennis team?</p>

17

<p>What classes at Whitman would you consider to be easily A+'s?</p>

<ul>
<li>The Gracken</li>
</ul>

18

<p>No, I’m not on the tennis team this year. I was hesitant to join because I wanted to test my schedule first. I did, however, play IM tennis and that was super fun. I also find time to play with friendly randomly on our free time.</p>

<p>Why do you ask about easy A classes? We have a whole bunch of activity classes that are pass/fail for one credit, so those are easy and just there for fun. “Easy A” for academic classes depends on the person, obviously.</p>

19

<p>To everyone who comes across this: While Whitman is as welcoming and inclusive as I make it sound (hopefully), I’d like to point out that I’m still only a freshman who hasn’t even been through a whole semester yet and even though I’m at a small school in Walla Walla, there’s so much more for me to explore. So even though there’s no exact definition for Whitman, I don’t know myself how accurate I would be if there were or if I’m doing it any justice at all.</p>

<p>I just know that I am happy here. :)</p>

20

<p>Cookie 606: You are a terrific virtual ambassador for Whitman. My son is a sophomore there who, though looking forward to returning home for the xmas break, has been enjoying the experience and education there a great deal for many of the same reasons you describe. I would love for my daughter to go there too, but she wants to blaze her own trail and go somewhere with horses. Best of luck to you and your friends at Whitman.</p>