Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington
Private Liberal Arts College
Walla Walla, Washington is home to a beautiful and vibrant liberal arts institution, Whitman College. Whitman Is small with about 1,500 students…all undergraduates. This means that the research opportunities are all held by undergraduates, and there are many opportunities for research. Whitman’s advice…challenge yourself…take rigorous classes without being afraid to earn less than an A. The academics are rigorous, but the support was described as intentional, collaborative and kind. Whitman wants students to succeed, go on to graduate school or find their career path when they leave Whitman. A career coaching program begins even prior to a student’s freshman year and continues throughout their education. This program is not simply to help find a job, but to ensure that students have opportunities throughout their time at Whitman to build their resume, gain experience and make the connections they need to pursue what comes next.
Theater, music, dance and performance are big at Whitman. Talent scholarships are available for students and available for all four years. The Whitman admission’s representative encourages students to apply…there are no limits on how many of these scholarships are awarded.
The Outdoors Program is incredible. An endowment provides $150/year to take trips. Go kayaking, white water rafting, backpacking, snow shoeing, work on trail restoration and so much more. The Outdoor Program is the largest employer of students on campus! Equipment is available for rent and 5-6 trips are offered each month. Students love to get outside.
Lunch in the dining hall was amazing! I decided on the chipotle butternut squash and tofu over rice and beans. And then I had a quinoa croquette, and a bite of a raspberry crumble bar. I took photos of the rest. The dining hall is beautiful, calm and well laid out…a really nice environment for a meal. Allergies are taken seriously and food is prepared separately for students with dietary restrictions.
Walla Walla’s downtown is adorable. The restaurants, shops and cafes are within walking distance of Whitman, and students take advantage of this proximity. This helps to connect the university and local communities. Whitman students also volunteer in local non profits, work on farms and find internships within the Walla Walla community.
Alaska Air flies to and from Walla Walla twice a day to Seattle. This makes getting to campus relatively easy. A larger airport in Pasca has direct flights to many major cities in the U.S. and a Whitman shuttle transports students to and from campus, just 45 minutes away.
