<p>Hey, I finished my first year at whitman. If anyone has any questions, I will do my best to answer them for you.</p>
<p>do you know how good the english program is? also, is there a good balance between academics and social life?</p>
<p>I am not sure about the english program. A few of my friends are going to be english major, but I haven't really asked them about it. I took a creative writing class first semester, and though it was awesome. There was also a visiting professor last semester named Josh Emmons who was really impressive. </p>
<p>The balance between academics and social life is amazing. It really allows you to do whatever you want. One of my friends described it to a prospie by saying that no matter what, you don't feel like you are the only one studying or partying. On any given night there are definitely people studying and partying. Also, I have found academics to be very social as well. A lot of people study together, go to the library together and take study breaks together. This tends to make the academic load a lot easier to handle and much more fun. Also, in this way, the line between academics and social life is blurred. I think the Whitman student body is very academic and social, which makes for a great college experience.</p>
<p>I hope that helps. Anymore questions?</p>
<p>thanks so much! that's really helpful and whitman sounds pretty amazing!</p>
<p>Hi, I'm really interested in Whitman but I doubt I'll get a chance to visit unless I've been accepted and it's one of my top schools after being accepted, haha. I have a few pretty general questions!</p>
<ol>
<li>How do you like Walla Walla? Is it big enough to find your basic essentials?</li>
<li>Are roadtrips common? What are the usual destinations?</li>
<li>Princeton Review lists Whitman as having some of the happiest students in the nation. Do you feel Whitman deserves this nod?</li>
<li>I know you're not a political science major, but have you heard good things about the department? (This is probably what I will study.)</li>
<li>How's the weather? I know it's not near Seattle at all so I'm really curious, haha.</li>
<li>How's the campus feel? Is there a lot of nature/is the campus pretty?</li>
<li>If you had to stereotype the typical Whitman student, what would it be? (You don't have to answer this one if you can't think of anything, I'm just curious!)</li>
<li>Is the area surrounding Whitman more flat or mountainous?</li>
<li>How's the newspaper?</li>
<li>What are your favorite things about Whitman?</li>
<li>What is your opinion on the financial aid packages? Are they generally generous?</li>
<li>How are the dorms? Food?</li>
<li>Are people politically active or apathetic? More liberal or conservative?</li>
</ol>
<p>Again, sorry about the interview-esque amount of questions, but I'd really like to get some sort of feel for the campus since I can't visit! Whitman sounds pretty amazing but I want a real recommendation :) Thanks so much!!!</p>
<ol>
<li> I actually really like walla walla. That was probably my biggest hesitation about whitman, but I have grown to really like it. Mostly, freshman don't leave campus very often. Most entertainment has to do with the college, so the size of walla walla isn't really an issue. Definitely enough for basic essentials. There are a few grocery stores within walking distance. There was nothing I needed that I couldn't find within walla walla.<br></li>
<li> Roadtrips are pretty rare. I went to Pasco twice to go to the tri-cities mall because the one in Walla is really small. That's about it. That's one of the things I like about whitman. Everyone stays in town, so the parties and activities on the weekends are always in full attendance by the students.</li>
<li> I have to say, whitman does have a very happy student body. I did not encounter anyone the whole year who was unhappy with whitman. Most were crazy about whitman. This really creates a good social environment, because people are very welcoming and friendly.</li>
<li> Unfortunately I cannot shed any light on whitman's politics department</li>
<li> Weather is really good. It doesn't rain nearly as much as seattle. I've heard it's sunny 300 days of the year. During the fall and spring, weather is nearly perfect for me. It can get a little hot in the un-airconditioned dorms during the summer.</li>
<li> The campus is gorgeous. Many students prefer to study outside when the weather is warm in order to enjoy the campus. There is plenty of frisbee golf and other sports going on outside on ankeny. There are also ponds and creeks throughout campus that provide a home for a large duck population on campus. I got used to seeing a family of ducks pretty much everytime I walked to class. During the warmer months I had a hard time not spending as much time as I could outside.</li>
<li> I don't think I could use one stereotype to characterize the whole whitman student body. There is pretty much every stereotype on campus and many who don't really fit one. I will say that the student body tends to be really laid back and easy going, they are also somewhat sporty and social.</li>
<li> It is flat surrounding whitman. That was definitely an adjustment coming from salt lake city. Surrounding Walla Walla is pretty much all wheatfields which can make a great spot for watching the sunset. There is a ski resort that is about 40 minutes away.</li>
<li> Our school newspaper, the pio(neer), is pretty entertaining. You can read it online here: <a href="http://www.whitmanpioneer.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.whitmanpioneer.com/</a></li>
<li> There are so many things I really love about whitman. I would say there is a real "community-feel" at whitman that was great for me to experience. I felt like I never really wanted to leave campus because everything was happening there. The Itramural sports system was also a really awesome addition to my college experience because so much of the student body participated in it. I also was really surprised by the greek system at whitman. It's is completely different from the fraternity/sorority situation at any other school I have seen. It is very laid-back and does not separate itself from the rest of the students. I pledged a fraternity spring semester and plan to initiate, which is something I never thought I would consider before going to whitman. I felt completely busy and fullfilled my first year there with my academic and social endeavors. </li>
</ol>
<p>I hope this helps in your selection. If I didn't really cover as much of a subject as you wanted, please let me know, or if you have any more questions.</p>