<p>I think Whitman would rise exponentially in the rankings if it had the ability to attract East Coast kids and, sad as it is, the prestige that comes through wealthy students. This is not something (at least in my view) the school should adopt, but it would be interesting to see the difference in recognition given some high-profile (not necessarily intellectual) students. As I continue to ramble, I think it's best that the school continue its steadfast adherence to academics first and foremost and simply placate the likes of USNW to be able to remain a top tier school. In time, I believe this organic approach will bear fruit, but the schools like Northwestern, Tufts, etc. are able to generate applicants from Boston, NYC and other cities, which holds greater credibility in the eyes of college rankings than those of Portland and L.A. </p>
<p>Too much importance is placed on rankings and at 36th among LAC's, I would say Whitman is appropriately ranked, even if it did matter. I also think it takes more than wealthy East coast kids to improve the rankings. Not all wealthy kids come with high test scores and gpa's. There are plenty of west coast schools ranked highly. I think more of it comes down to the location of Whitman not attracting more students. While I applied to Whitman, I found the distance to major cities a big drawback. I could have been happy at the school itself, but I would have grown restless in Walla Walla after a year or two. Whitman is a great school and there is something nice about it being off the radar for alot of people..it gives Whitman a unique character and people go there because it is what it is..and they appreciate it for the right reasons..not because of the rankings.</p>
<p>"Ithink Whitman would rise exponentially in the rankings if it had the ability to attract East Coast kids and, sad as it is, the prestige that comes through wealthy students. "</p>
<p>Excuse me? Are you saying that only people from the east coast are wealthy, or that only people from the east coast matter? </p>
<p>If you are interested in the school, visit.
You will either be convinced or not - it's all a matter of fit.</p>
<p>We just got back from Orientation Weekend. I have never met more down-to-earth folks who probably run circles around my net worth. If you are after status, just move on. If you are after education and growth, see if you can be admitted.</p>
<p>Whitman is unpretentious and offers an educational program that rivals that of any liberal arts college in US. If you are not offput by a semi-rural (if sophisticated) small town environment (which, by the way, forges a strong sense of community among students, faculty and staff) then perhaps Whitman is for you. Happy students, scholarly ethos...That's Whitman.</p>
<p>I didn't mean to say that Whitman needed more wealthy East Coast kids or that this would improve the school (in fact it may do the opposite). However, there are several East Coast schools, e.g., BC and Georgetown, that are highly regarded yet not very intellectual per se, whereas Whitman is extremely intellectual, yet less well-known. My point was that there is a sad correlation between the prestige of the parents whose kids attend a school and that school's ranking. That's all.</p>
<p>Clarrette's pumpkin pancakes with whipped cream for under $5.00. You can keep your fancy-schmancy east coast wealth -- I just want a cheap breakfast!!</p>