<p>So for a while I'd been planning on driving from Seattle to Walla Walla this weekend to audition and interview for the presidential scholarship in theatre at Whitman College. For those of you who aren't familiar with Washington geography, thats 5 hrs of driving each way for a 20 minute audition.</p>
<p>Money is pretty important to my decision, and this scholarship could "cover my full need in gift aid". But the thing is, Whitman is at the middle of my list and I've already been accepted to two schools (Smith and Wellesley) that are higher on my list and meet full need. I'm not sure about Smith, but I know that Wellesley meets full need with loans capped around 10k (total, not per year).</p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with how generous/competitive the Whitman scholarship is? Any insights on to whether this trek across the rainy mountains into the godforsaken middle of nowhere would be worth it? I jest, Walla Walla is nice...but most definitely not convenient.</p>
<p>I probably sound lazy as all get out but I'm fine with ten hours of driving and the audition is prepared, honestly it's more that I feel bad about putting my dad through it!</p>
<p>You could look at it as a chance to see some amazing country and spend quality time with your dad. Have you been to Whitman? It’s a beautiful school, with a gregarious student body. The theater department is amazing, I was completely blown away. Walla Walla is a great town. You sound like just the type of student they’d be looking for.</p>
<p>My son and I took similar drives all over the country during his college search and they are very fond memories for me. My son is a Whittie and he really loves it. He was also accepted to more highly ranked schools, some with better aid packages but decided on Whitman because of the “feel”. </p>
<p>If the trip is all set up, maybe you could just think of it as an adventure. Good luck!</p>
<p>This is just an aside, have you actually gotten the financial aid awards from the other schools yet? Don’t count on anything until you have the document in your hands. Last year my son applied and was accepted to schools that said they met 100% demonstrated need, the only hitch was what they saw as our need, it had no close relationship to our real need. Unless you actually know what the aid offers are, cover all your bases.</p>
<p>I recommend you do it. Keep your options open… Things are changing rapidly in the college world, and schools that used to meet full need are changing their criteria every day. it’s also a nice reason to take a drive with your parent and take look at a local school. You can ask about what scholarships are available there. Who knows what you can end up getting. Bear in mind that going to the east coast for school means a lot of travel expenses and that, in general these schools tend to be more expensive in sticker price. I don’t know the particulars for Whitman but I know that I suck in my breath when I see what the COA for the privates are here vs in the south or midwest.</p>
<p>I do know that the mountains can get difficult in bad weather, maybe the school would reschedule for another weekend. How does your dad feel about it? Are you looking for ways out because you aren’t crazy about Whitman, that’s a little how it sounds. I can understand that, Smith and Wellesley have names with more cachet in many circles. Again, I caution you to not make any decisions until all the cards are on the table. If you liked Whitman at all then is a free ride going to raise it up in your estimation? Why not just give it a shot, at least you’ll have all your questions answered.</p>
<p>I too vote for keeping your options open - and Whitman is a great school! Never count on a school viewing your “need” in the same way that you do until you have the FA letter in hand - and even then, have plan B in case things change later on.</p>
<p>Is it too late to get a plane ticket if you’re worried about the roads? Whitman is just a 10 dollar taxi ride from the airport. As a mom, I loved those trips with both my kids, but perhaps flying in and out (just yourself) might make this trip more doable. BTW, don’t they pay your way for this scholarship? I agree. Keep all your options on the table.</p>