Carleton or Whitman?

[BunsenBurner]

Whitman was very high on my daughter's list, however, it lost to another college due to her peaked interest in some majors where the competitor had some advantages. Whitman has a very stroong reputation here in the Pacific Northwest, and the college is trying to build its image as one of the top LACs nationally. We visited and I fell in love with the school. The grounds were fabulous, the facilities were top-notch and spotless, the kids were so down to earth and friendly, and the number of alums who came with their children and grandchildren to the prospective students' day was amazing. Sororities and fraternities, while definitely present, do not dominate the culture and are very inclusive, as another poster already pointed. The town is small but very charming and within a short walk. However, the college keeps its students busy with a large number of activities. The theater department at Whitman is top-notch, for sure. We watched a skit about asparagus (Walla Walla's famous spring vegetable) improvised by the students, and we were dying from laughter.

[mini]

"Wait, mini--

Isn't your alma mater known for excessive drinking? Maybe I'm wrong."

You bet. (according to the college's own survey....and more than drinking!)

[orjr]

chiming in on Whitman - S is attending and will probably major in English. Has friends who live in the "writing house" - one of many interest houses available after freshman year. English department is very good. The newspaper is also good - have her look up the Pioneer - and their literary magazine, Blue Moon, is award winning. The theatre and music departments have many majors and fine arts is a distribution requirement for all students. If she is interested in working with professors, have her look on the Whitman website and read the profiles of the English profs and their interests. Some of this year's freshman already have plans to work with professors as sophomores next year and the English dept. is included. All financial aid (need and merit) goes with you for your study abroad. While I don't know much about Carleton, I hope this has addressed some of the questions about Whitman.

[mmaah]

My best friend's son is at Carleton, mine is at Whitman. She really can't go wrong in terms of a great liberal arts education either place. That said, Whitman is definitely a "western" school and Carleton "midwestern"--and the winters are short in Walla Walla and long in Northfield (even with the long winter break). Theater and music and encouragement for creative writing are great at Whitman; I 've never heard a thing one way or the other about that at Carleton (but my son's friend is a history/econ guy so that might explain it.) Hopefully she has visited at each place; then she should trust her heart for the place that "feels" right for next year. It doesn't have to be forever and if she really regretted it, probably both would consider her as a transfer.

[fireflyscout]

I responded to this on the Carleton forum, but Carleton does offer many musical opportunities, from musicals (D was in one last year) to choir to a cappella, which is very popular. As for study abroad, one of the benefits of the trimester system is that it is possible to do two study abroad programs. Carleton sponsors several excellent programs, including Literature in Dublin.

Winters are ... cold. But the students learn to both embrace it and avoid it. My Texas daughter quickly learned how to properly dress and play in the snow.

Good luck to your sister!

[onemoremom]

"Isn't your alma mater known for excessive drinking? Maybe I'm wrong."

Isn't your son's school known for excessive drug abuse? Maybe I'm wrong.

[mini]

Bethievt - that one must be for you. I don't have a son.

[bethievt]

Onemoremom

I don't think so--no more than the so-called "normal" amount, which I think is also true at Carleton. Too much, in other words, but not enough to make a top ten list.

And yes, they do have plenty of musical theater at Carleton. They even hosted the US premier of Brecht's Causcasian Chalk Circle there in 1948.

[Nikara]

Thanks everyone for your replies! My sister ended up going with her heart and choosing Carleton. The typical flip a coin trick really helped her with that decision. When she was unhappy with Whitman as the flip, she knew where she wanted to be. Thanks again for your help!

[fireflyscout]

Yay! Good luck to your sister at Carleton and make sure to send her plenty of warm socks.

[treeman]

Nikara -- Congrats to your sister on her choice.