Whitman or Macalester?

<p>My daughter is down to the wire trying to decide between Whitman and Macalester. We know they are very different in location and community feel, but that both schools are great academically. She is undecided as to a major. She has visited both campuses and felt she would love going to either one. Does anyone have any input that might help her make her mind up? Thanks for your help. (This is posted on Macalester's page also.)</p>

<p>Disclaimer: This is not going to help.</p>

<p>I am on the Whitman forum, so I say go with Whitman.:D</p>

<p>WF</p>

<p>I applied ED to Whitman, I've heard great things about Mac and it would have been another of my top choices. Whitman's got the weather advantage by a long shot, so if that's an issue Whitman would be a good call. From what I've heard from my brother, who visited Mac and Whitman ~2002, the Whitman campus is overall better looking/appealing. Anyway, both schools are great, congrats on the choices!</p>

<p>Whitman's community of students, faculty, staff, and administration has and seems to be continuing (with a new president this year) to work together well to the common goal of giving the students the best experience possible. As an alumunus, I received emails from the college asking for our imput on the diversity statement the college crafted.</p>

<p>I remember talking with a prospective student's brother who attended Macalester (this is about 5 years ago now) and he said the student - administration relationship wasn't so good. Maybe this was a widely held belief at the time, maybe it wasn't. Even if it was an issue then, it may not continue to be now. Was this something your daughter picked up on?</p>

<p>Weather and climate is another big difference too. Most of the snow in Walla Walla is up in the mountains at altitude, though it snows a few times every year in the valley.</p>

<p>Both Whitman and Mac have lots of students studying abroad and both offer generous scholarships for international students, but my understanding is Mac has put more resources into need-based financial aid for international students and their student population reflects this. Whitman has a 3 - 5% international student population, but I suspect Mac's is higher. Having said that, I had friends while I was a student at Whitman who came from Malaysia, Kenya, France, Ghana, Jordan (he's was Palestinian) and Hong Kong. They are very well integrated into the Whitman community in general.</p>

<p>It sounds like both are great options.</p>

<p>As others have said, both are great schools. My son looked at only those two before applying to Whitman ED. For him the classes were more exciting at Whitman and the student body seemed friendlier, livelier, warmer, more collaborative and the outdoors activities were a draw. The major contrast is definitely urban vs. rural. I think the more rural setting intensifies the community spirit at Whitman in great ways. But each kid is looking for something different in their campus experience and it sounds like it will come down to her just taking a leap of faith based on her own inner direction.</p>

<p>A sincere thank you to mmaah, padraig, russdelabuss and wildflower. It is so helpful to hear from other people because even though we have researched and thought about this decison immensely, you brought up some things we have not really delved into or thought about. My daughter is visiting her school counselor today for one last consult with a knowledgeable person, and then the decision. I loved the fact that some of you said both schools were great and that she can't go wrong. I really agree with your last sentence mmaah, "it will come down to her just taking a leap of faith based on her own inner direction." I also find it so interesting our kids were deciding between the same two school. Thanks again to all.</p>

<p>Does either of these schools have a good theater department? My daughter is interested in environmental studies, but is also looking for opportunities in theater, especially musical theater!</p>

<p>Whitman is known for being environment friendly and conscious; it also has a good music dept. and, I heard theater was good, too. Nevertheless, those are not my areas of interest, per se.</p>

<p>Whitman has a great theater department. They do 8-12 major productions a year which is more than average for a smaller school. The facilities looked great. I don't know about musical theater per se but the music department is well regarded. It may be that Macalester has more to offer there through off-campus options available in Minneapolis. Both school's websites and list of student groups may give you some clues...</p>

<p>Mom of 3D - Just saw your message. Which college did your D decide upon? Macalester or Whitman? My oldest D is a sophomore at Whit and loves, loves, loves it. (Chose it over Bryn Mawr, Smith, Scripps, Conn, etc). D number 2 is now looking and shall look at Carleton, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Haverford (altho considerable reaches for her) as well as Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, St. Olaf, Kenyon, and Macalester. (Goucher, Knox and Redlands may be her safeties). Tell us more about macalester. Heard it was preppier than Carleton. we love the laid back atmosphere and friendliness of Whitman. Real people. The new president knew students' names the first weekend!! (and still knows them). D number 2 is very close to her sister, yet not sure about being at the same school (was always known as one of the three sisters all thru high school). she also wants to experience everything new herself (I advised her not to visit her sister at Whitman anymore). Any comments on the above schools?
Thanks and hope your d is very happy where she is.</p>

<p>Susan53bc- My D decided on Macalester. She has been there a week for preseason golf. I will let you know how it goes after school starts. My D#2 is a high school senior this year and is also deciding on where to apply. So far our girls overlap on several of the schools they are considering. D#2 is seriously considering applying to Whitman, as she loved it when she and her sister visited last April. I would be interested in hearing more details on your older daughter's experiences at Whitman and we should compare notes on the other schools our Ds are looking at. PM me anytime also.</p>

<p>I’m a senior and narrowed my top choices down to Whitman and Macalester. I applied ED to Whitman yesterday. Even though the majority of my family lives in MN and Macalester is in the city, the people on campus at Whitman were honestly the nicest people that I’ve ever met. For me personally, when I look back on my college experience, I won’t remember the city all that much when I look back and I will have plenty of time to live in the city in the future, but I will remember the relationships that I’ll create. Super cheesy. But after doing the overnight at Whitman, I totally fell in love.</p>

<p>Hey…good luck and congratulations on getting that application in and gone. As I’ve noted elsewhere on this thread, my son reached the same conclusion and was a very happy Whittie. His sister ended up making the same choice, after looking at a different set of comparison schools and has also thrived on the community and opportunities. I hope you get that Congratulations letter when the time comes!</p>

<p>My son had the same experience - the overnight visit sold him completely on Whitman. He is now a very happy sophomore. Best of luck to you.</p>