A few general questions about Whitman! :)

Colleges & Universities Whitman College
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<p>I’ve been reading through the older topics in this Whitman section, and I’m getting excited to learn about Whitman more. I love the location, (I’d like a change in scenery/location - I’m from warmer-Southern Ca. :P) and Whitman has my ideal major(s)… But I’m not sure if I’d really fit well this early in. I’m a junior with apparently… above average stats? Not sure where I fit in with Whitman yet, I need to check that out.</p>

<p>While I could be defined as the artsy and a bit techy type (apparently Lyman would be a good fit for me! :)), I’m also (socially - no idea fiscally, haha) conservative. Mind you, I’ve grown up around liberalism and just want a bit of change in scenery from always being the reluctant minority. I’d appreciate there being conversation instead of an intolerant majority.</p>

<p>I’d like to major and minor, or double major in History and Art. I was excited to read there was a new art building (maybe not brand new anymore, I think the topic was from 2006). How plausible is double majoring? Would I be able to reach all my requirements?</p>

<p>Also! How is Whitman’s financial aid? I’m hoping to work on scholarships this spring and summer, but 45k is a bit scary.</p>

<p>Thanks… hopefully this section can see a bit more activity, haha.</p>

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<p>I think Whitman, based on your social characteristics, seems to be a fairly good fit for you! </p>

<p>In the Northwest, Whitman is seen as a school with a great proportion of gregarious youth, the real go-getters who value independence and traditional morals. They are artsy and a little quirky, but they are definitely more conservative than other LAC students in the area (Reed, Evergreen State). </p>

<p>I say keep researching ( I would use the Fiske Guide to Colleges and the book 40 colleges that can change lives) and decide for yourself if you are a good fit :] </p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!!</p>

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<p>New art building is great. Double majoring is very common and well supported in terms of faculty helping make it work with independent studies, etc. if needed. You have plenty of time to look and explore. You might want to look at St. John’s (campuses in both New Mexico and Maryland) and Puget Sound, too, if you want a change from SoCal. Oxy and the Claremont College are great but don’t give you that element of change.</p>

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<p>Thank you and thanks for the awesome replies! I’ll be checking out all your suggestions. :)</p>

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<p>I would have to disagree a bit with the above posters - Whitman’s students are overwhelmingly liberal. The main difference is that Whitties are very tolerant and will politely discuss issues with you, not shove anything in your face. If this is ok, I think Whitman would be a great match for you. :]</p>

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<p>After 3 visits my overall impression is that students are personally conservative (not as many piercings, tats and multi-colored hair), but politically liberal. I am sure you will find fellow conservatives, but I would not consider Whitman to be a conservative school, like say Pepperdine.</p>

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<p>Hi, Aerienne! It’s so exciting that you are checking out Whitman. I feel like for the most part, Whitman could be a good fit for you. </p>

<p>If colder is what you’re looking for, you’ll definitely find it here. Don’t be fooled by the sunny, warm weather, it can get pretty cold in the winter. And it tends to hang around. Last week, there was definitely a freak rain/hail/snow storm. All this coming from a fellow Southern Californian, of course.</p>

<p>You’ll definitely find lots of artsy people around here. A lot of my friends are somehow involved in blue moon, the arts and literary magazine, and Artists’ Colony is a popular weekly event put on by the Fine Arts House. It might be harder to find tech-y people, but I’m sure they’re around, at least in Tech Services. (Don’t live in Lyman though. It’s a meth lab! :P)</p>

<p>Regarding holding social conservative views, I feel like it’s more of a mixed bag. As noted above, the campus tends to lean to the left in a Birkenstock, granola, mainstream kind of way. That is not to say that every Whitman student is particularly welcoming to conservatives, however. While you will be engaged in discussion, it might be the kind of heated debate which makes some people uncomfortable. That said, unless you are especially belligerent in expressing your views, people are generally accepting and will not judge you simply for holding a particular view.</p>

<p>Double majoring is relatively easy and encouraged, especially for non-science majors. The way our advisors explained it to us, roughly 1/3 of your credits go towards Distribution Requirements, 1/3 towards your major, and 1/3 towards electives or a double major. </p>

<p>The new art building recently opened up for classes, though art classes are harder to get into as a freshmen. The history department also has a generally good reputation–no more duds than one would expect from any school. All in all, if art and history are what you want to study, Whitman would be an excellent place to do that.</p>

<p>Concerning financial aid, Whitman is kind of a double edged sword. On the one hand, it is pretty stingy with academic schola, Irships (My roommate got the highest one which was $10,000 believe). Regardless, they’re definitely not enough to make a significant dent in tuition. On the other hand, Whitman is really generous if they believe you to have need. “Diversity” (broadly defined) is also a definite plus.</p>

<p>I hope I can answer any other questions you have. It’s spring break for us, so feel free to post away and/or PM me.</p>

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<p>Ahh, thank you all for the awesome insight. This is such a cool… tool, haha. Anyways.</p>

<p>SeniorSlacker: (I’m from SD too. :D) I’ve never had much experience with living in snow (besides a week or weekend or two for a snow outing) and I’d like to get out of our “perfect weather” box. College for me is seeing what’s out there, because I love where I live a lot, but that isn’t reason to stay here all of my life. :)</p>

<p>Boo… I’m definitely very white, haha. No ethnic diversity here.</p>

<p>Thank you for your response, I’ll be sure to add another post if more questions come up. I recently was sent a huge thing of literature from Whitman, so I’ll read through it all first haha.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I think the students are fairly liberal–the town, however, is conservative (like most of Eastern Oregon/Washington), but the students are pretty laid back about everything. I don’t know about FA–I haven’t gotten mine yet. :frowning: But I did get a scholarship, just not a huge one.</p>

<p>Maybe visit, if you can?</p>

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<p>About FA–It’s good. They use a different formula, which doesn’t take into account your parent’s retirement or your house–I got much better aid there than anywhere else. Plus, if you are a top student, you can get the presidential scholarship, which gives you your full need in gift aid for all four years. </p>

<p>I just finished filling out the housing questionnaire. I’m so happy!</p>

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<p>Hey, I’m a current Whitman student and I would probably agree with SeniorSlacker (nice name btw hah) about the political views of Whitman students. While I think we’re probably generally a liberal bunch, it’s definitely in a Birkenstock-y “mainstream” sort of way.
Also, about the new art building: I’m taking a class there this semester and it’s a really incredible building! The new architecture and polished surfaces coexists wonderfully with the more organic art and sculpture exhibits put on by different classes… it’s just a really great environment for art-making :slight_smile:
Oh yeah, Whitman also has (or at least, it did last year) a specific Presidential scholarship for art, but it’s really competitive - I think only one person from the entering class will get it. It’s worth a shot though!</p>