<p>S has had ups and downs academically and with the Greek system, but loves the people at Whitman. He is outgoing, but knows plenty of introverts as well as extroverts and they all get along. The controversy in The Pioneer raises a legitimate issue (I oppose hazing), but according to S it seems a non-issue to most students on campus. S is not into hazing, but will be in a fraternity with a more laid back initiation than TKE’s, and is good friends with members of all frats (including TKE), sororities, and independents. </p>
<p>The common characteristic of most Whitman students according to S is that they are generally thoughtful. Styles vary - piercings and tattoos may not be ubiquitous, but they are not rare or off-putting to the very accepting student body. S is outgoing and does not know what he will major in other than it won’t be math, his roommate is a quieter math whiz - they are good friends despite little in common because they are both thoughtful accepting guys, like the majority of other students there. Many close friends in his freshman dorm - none of those frienships based on academics or sports teams - just nice folks. He likes the guys on his team and the coach too.</p>
<p>Just out of curiousity, does anyone know why Lewis and Clark isn’t more highly regarded? They seem to attract bright students with scores not too far off Whitman’s, and it’s located in Portland. Their athletics didn’t appeal to S, but otherwise it looked interesting. S has found plenty to do on campus at Whitman and exploring the natural beauty of the area, but Portland seems like a nice place for those needing a city fix.</p>
<p>That’s something I’ve pondered also Bogney. My d visited a couple of times in the college search hoping to like it. They gave her a very tempting scholarship, but she just couldn’t see herself there. The class she sat in on was watching an episode of I Love Lucy and there was just lackluster class discussion afterward. The atmosphere was a little too laid back for her, and she didn’t see enough sports loving kids there. If she had gone on a different day she might have had an entirely different reaction. Portland does seem like a great city.</p>
<p>I know this is a Whitman thread - but my S is trying to decide between Davidson and Whitman and to be honest - at least on paper - they seem quite similar except for location. Anyone with comparison thoughts on these two?</p>
<p>Puma12, on another thread someone was looking for an east coast equivalent to Whitman. One poster suggested Davidson, another came on and said they are very different and they didn’t think the kid that liked one would like the other. I was curious and asked why, but didn’t get an answer. I can only guess that it could be social. You really can’t tell without visits what your son would think.</p>
<p>I could be way off, but I have heard that Davidson is much more conservative / religious than Whitman. It is supposed to be a fine school. I have no personal knowledge one way or the other.</p>
<p>Well, here’s some info about Davidson:
“…Davidson’s bylaws, which require at least 80 percent of its board of trustees to be “active members of a Christian church,” and further mandating that 24 of the 44 trustees be members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).” [snip]
“The board voted in 2005 to allow non-Christian trustees for the first time, although it decided non-Christians, or non-practicing Christians, could make up no more than 20 percent of the governing body.”</p>
<p>Whitman like Davidson - A school with such by-laws in the Deep South??</p>
<p>I think not.</p>
<p>[on edit, NC is technically not in the “Deep South”. But still…]</p>
<p>Thank you - this info, along with some other thoughts from a recent graduate, and a parent on CC of a prospective student have helped answer my question.</p>
<p>S attended admitted student’s reception for Whitman recently and was very taken with the presentation by students and staff. The treats were good too!</p>
<p>My son is at Willamette now and LOVES it! Great academics, loves his Fraternity and the people in general. Has had great opportunities with profs to do research, dinner etc. My daughter is going to be visiting Whitman, as she has been accepted. I think she will love it.</p>
<p>I think there are so many similar characteristics and a few distinguishing ones when it concerns any LAC. Mostly, does it have a program you are interested in and how does it fit you socially.</p>
<p>They all have great profs, staff, students, drugs, piercings, preppy kids. Seriously consider where they give you the best scholarship! That makes a lot of difference to most of us!</p>
<p>My friend’s daughter, a high school student in China, has been accepted by Whitman, UW and BU(Boston University). The reason she applied Whitman was curosity. Being a 17-year-old girl, she has no idea what will happen if she decides to go to Whitman. Is the school environment friendly to an international student? Small is better like Whitman or big is better like UW, BU? Her insterest is in political science, education and social science. Definitely not math. Any input is appreciate. Thanks.</p>
<p>Whitman will be a warm, welcoming community. But she will not find a large cohort of other Chinese international students there, as she might at UW. (There will definitely be other international students there as well as Chinese-American students–but not in droves. Whitman will feel safer, probably, and she will acquire many non-Asian friends. Her temperament may be an important factor. For a truly adventurous, urban/metro type, the bigger cities and schools might be just fine; but for others it could seem overwhelming and I’d guess the smaller community would feel more welcoming. There will be culture shock either place. If it was my kid, I’d vote for Whitman but I am not exactly objective.</p>
<p>Responding to bopambo and others - I know alot about Whitman as I have a child who is a senior there and has had an absolutely amazing time enjoying every minute.
Davidson, however, we don’t know so much about - and this past weekend for admitted student days they had tornadoes!!</p>
<p>Regarding L&C - the “vibe” is very differnt among the kids I think. L&C is more existential and self-involved. More marijuana, less beer. Whitman is more relational among students I think - kids are highly engaged in campus stuff there and with each other.
Willamette, I think, is a bit more conservative than either of the other two. I have been impressed with the academics at willamette - but I have had superior experiences with all facets of whitman - the financial aid office, the president’s office, the academic opportunities (internships, etc) and the fellowship and career center. when the review book says “it runs like butter” they aren’t kidding and that is a wonderful thing for a parent! Secoond son still considering Davidson - so we will go down to the wire!!</p>
<p>Puma12, tornadoes, yikes! I hope the skies remain clear so your son can visit. I’d love to know your thoughts on Davidson afterwards, I have no mental picture at all.</p>
<p>Collegemaw, the Willamette forum discusses the school at length, there are plenty of happy kids there. The UPS forum is listed under P for Puget sound, looks like they have a healthy number of posts there also, perhaps UPS and Whitman attract different types of students, as puma12 surmises with L&C.</p>
<p>S is a Sophmore. He is an Econ major and is involved in many activities. Sports (D3), community service, fraternity…seems to be pushed academically and has a great advisor. We have been very impressed with the administration, they gave him a nice merit scholarship and we know that they came thru for a boy whose father lost his job.</p>
<p>S says drugs are present but not overwhelming. Has never been pressured, even being in the Greek life. Says there are cliques of kids but they are very fluid, loves the atmosphere on capmus, everyone says HI and is very helpful…its very easy to join and easy to Lead. More conservative that the other NW schools (L&C, Whitman).</p>
<p>We left admitted student day not feeling completely in love…and we wanted to! Now what? I read above that someone posted the school runs like butter…but it did not seem like it. Maybe because it was a weekend? We ate at a small dining hall friday, only ONE open and it was a mess. Admissions office did not help us find a place for an extra student…just said full! We were looking for that helpful warm college…did we just miss it? Students seemed wonderful!</p>
<p>When you say you were looking for a place for an extra student, what do you mean? Overnight? On a tour? An overnight stay would be hard to accommodate on the spur of the moment, but I wouldn’t think it would matter for the rest of the activities, although they did say there was limited spaces at the tea ceremony.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that you didn’t feel great about Whitman, I’ve only had good experiences with the admissions office. People do have bad days, though. </p>
<p>Prentice is the only dining hall open on Saturday, but there is also the cafe in the Reid campus center where students can use the flex dollars on their meal plans. I think that the admissions office said that they were expecting around 520 people for admitted students’ day. Maybe they were just overwhelmed.</p>
<p>Oops, I see you said Friday. I’m assuming that you meant dinner, likewise Prentiss (wrong spelling above) is the only hall open for Friday night. I’m guessing that the students do things on Friday night so fewer are on campus to eat, but the Reid campus center is also an option on Friday night. My son has never said that availability of food was a problem, were there a lot of visitors present?</p>