Whitman College Reviews

"Though I'm working in a field not related to my degree, every experience I had at Whitman greatly helped prepare and develop me as a working professional. I've noticed that my writing skills in particular far exceed those of the average working person (I cringe at most emails). In addition, the students who tend to attend Whitman are the brightest and most engaged from their respective high schools--they're the cream of the crop. I've met (what I anticipate to be) lifelong acquaintances and dear friends of the highest caliber. If you attend and graduate from Whitman College, you will certainly be a better person--in one way or many--after having done so."

"Here in the States, we are privileged to have such a wide range of educational experience. I am grateful to have been able to attend Whitman College. Academically I felt challenged but also greatly supported to be able to succeed. While a liberal arts degree does not necessarily provide its graduates the technical skills that are directly applicable to a specific workplace, it gave me an opportunity to learn how to think critically and carefully, to have confidence in my ability to think both critically and creatively, and humility of knowing there is so much more to learn in my life. At Whitman, I learned how to synthesize what I had learned in my life up until that point and then learned what kind of person I wanted to strive to become. I am back in school now, in the process of getting my masters degree and a certification to become a teacher."

"As a liberal arts institution you are exposed to other disciplines which ultimately enrich your education"

"I attended a liberal arts college and was pursuing a lifelong interest in journalism, which I soon discovered was not actually what I wanted to do. Had I been more career-oriented and future-focused in high school, I might have benefited more from a technical program. That being said, it is incredibly difficult for some people, like myself, to identify my future career (in college) and stick with thy same career path post-grad. I found myself drawn to a field which I never expected after my immersion in the "real world." College cannot prepare you for that, but I am grateful for the well-rounded education that my alma mater provided."

"Attending Whitman had a tremendous impact on my life. My liberal arts education facilitated holistic learning - there, I learned to write more effectively, to think critically, and to ask and attempt to answer big questions. I found my education to be very challenging and enriching. A great deal learning took place outside of the classroom,as I was surrounded by incredibly bright, well-rounded, engaged and engaging people. I felt humbled to be among them and left Whitman with relationships that I foresee lasting a lifetime. I will say that the amount of applied learning was a bit underwhelming at Whitman. There was not a clear connection with most classes to professional worlds outside of academia. I thought that while my interactions with the Career Center were always helpful, in hindsight, I think that there could/should have been a greater emphasis placed on career pathing. Connecting students to the "real world" that they will be entering is integral to the overall educational experience, particularly during junior and senior year, in my opinion. I've heard since graduating that Whitman has taken steps in this direction. Truly, I cannot say enough about this institution; my professors, my peers, or the place itself."

"Whitman was an superb school and the best 4 years of my life. I think people discount this incredible school because it is located in Walla Walla. I urge students to do an overnight visit and experience the community and quality of the environment."

"The impact Whitman has on students is partially about the academic side, partially about the non-academic, and completely about how the two are woven together. You're in class with the same people that you attend parties, play sports, listen to music, and live with. Where academia is the depth of your college experience, the time spent working (or volunteering), being social, and staying active is the breadth. You'll split your time learning in the classroom and applying what you've learned in the real world. Likewise, you'll take pieces of friendships, work relationships, and romantic flings and apply them to your studies. You'll make discoveries about yourself, your professors, yourself again, your friends, your family, and more about yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many people learn your name...and at how many of them have "PhD" on their nameplate but prefer to be called by their first names. If you're interested in a community, not just a college...if you're interested in lasting relationships for life...if you're looking for something that will give to you and that you WANT to give back to for the rest of your life...do yourself a favor and go to Whitman."

"At Whitman, you don't study engineering, graduate, and become an engineer; similarly, Spanish majors like myself don't necessarily go on to be Spanish teachers. Here, I learned how to learn, which I think is the greatest asset any young job-seeker can have. The liberal arts education at Whitman arms graduates with a basic and invaluable set of skills that help prepare for the realities of post-college life. Being adaptable, articulate, and capable of thinking critically have allowed me to work a wide variety of jobs all across the word. I haven't found my career yet (that's certainly not Whitman's fault), but I'm not anxious about that either. I feel confident in knowing that I could be happy with and find success in any number of fields; I'll end up happy with whatever I pick. A Whitman education opens doors, rather than limiting you to, say, engineering. In this respect, it isn't necessarily the easiest road to hoe after college (your degree doesn't slot you directly into a specialized field), since having the liberal arts B.A. requires some creativity in picking a direction, career-wise. I'm thankful for this flexibility, however; my degree has led me to jobs in teaching, group management and facilitation, risk management, outdoor recreation, tourism, consulting, outreach, and study abroad. From each job, I learn more about myself and about what I'm looking for in a career. I'm getting close to picking one, but won't ever be afraid to change (how often do people change careers nowadays?). Thanks, Whitman, for giving me the tools I need to succeed in the ever-changing job market of today. It doesn't have anything to do with careers, but I have to say that the Whitman community is really amazing. Being a student there is just the best."

"Whitman is an incredible school that cares about its student body. Though difficult to define, Whitman has a magical quality to it; the campus is beautiful, the student body is active, the academics are rigorous. I enjoyed my time there immensely, and felt well prepared to face graduate life. My preparation at Whitman got me into medical school, and in that respect, the degree will pay for itself in time."

"My education at Whitman did more than help me attain knowledge; it taught how to think. Not only did it help me find the best friends of my life, I also learned life skills that help me be successful in all areas of life. I fully credit my degree from Whitman for helping me have a position of high leadership in my career, despite my young age."

"My degree helped to hone and refine my writing, speaking, and critical thinking abilities. In those areas, my education was top-notch. As a current student of Architecture, my degree has enabled me to engage critically with the profession through writing and public speaking, and has helped me become an asset within my firm with regards to client presentations and client interaction. While my degree did not confer "practical ability", it has nonetheless provided a wealth of tools which have aided in the pursuit of my masters and in the professional settings within which I have worked."

"My degree from Whitman helped me in lots of ways, not just in my career but in my life as a whole. I learned how to think more critically, to articulate arguments clearly and thoughtfully, and to question my own assumptions and challenge myself to look at difficult subject matters through a variety of different lenses. Whitman's professors are invested in inciting thoughtful discussions and challenging students not just to finish a given assignment or learn a certain subject matter, but to truly invest and learn how to *think* more effectively and engagingly. My overall college experience was academically challenging but incredibly rewarding and enlightening. The only thing I would have done differently is to take advantage of even more opportunities at the school--there were so many clubs, activities and events that I took them for granted at times, and probably spent too much time in the library studying."

"Tell us about your college experience.Whitman was a great fit for me, which was surprising because I thought I would hate the small town atmosphere. It turns out that the small town created a stronger sense of community on campus. You'll probably know everyone in your particular year before you graduate, which was great for me, as I love meeting people.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I think my degree was pretty perfect for me. It's the liberal arts version of a communication degree and it's easy to convince employers that it's relevant for most entry-level jobs."

"Tell us about your college experience.Whitman was fantastic.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?Same degree, most definitely. I'm passionate about it and it's pretty east to either get a job or go to grad school with it.What advice can you offer other students?Do what makes you happy and don't feel rushed to figure that out."

"Tell us about your college experience.Whitman is an incredible school. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming and supportive. I never felt like my peers were competing with me academically, just helping me. People are so friendly! The campus is beautiful. It is very easy to get help when you need it. Professors are passionate about what they teach, excited to be teaching it, and very available to talk to outside of class. I feel very close to my thesis advisers. They were endlessly helpful and inspiring and generous. There is so much to do at Whitman. I loved playing flag football, singing in an acappella group, being in a sorority, mentoring at-risk elementary school kids, being a part of groups to help make Whitman more green, dancing, and many more activities. You can go on hiking and rafting and kayaking trips almost any weekend. Walla Walla is adorable. The area surrounding Walla Walla is gorgeous. I wouldn't have chosen any other school in the world. I loved Whitman.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I would choose the same degree.What advice can you offer other students?Go to college. Major in what you want to, not what your parents think you should or what could get you a better job. It will make you happier"

"Tell us about your college experience.I would definitely recommend Whitman - the atmosphere of the entire school and attitude of the students toward learning, and then the ability and desire of the staff/faculty/profs to help you outWould you get the same degree if you could start over?Yes, it's very applicable to what I want to do in the future and good for employmentWhat advice can you offer other students?Enjoy the time you have in undergrad! It goes by too fast."

"Tell us about your college experience.It was a great fit. The academics were challenging, but all of the students were really open and welcoming. Overall, Whitman just has a great atmosphere.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I would choose the same degree because my professors were absolutely amazing, and my wonderful experience was due to them. However, in the future I think I may be more interested in economics or business than lab work.What advice can you offer other students?Do what you are passionate about, but be realistic about your abilities. (i.e. major in what you love or do what you love, but have a back-up plan if your intended career may not generate much income)."

"Tell us about your college experience.Excellent fit. Lots of one on one with professors, small community, close friends close to campus cheap rent.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I would choose the same degree in a heartbeat. Chemistry makes the world make sense to me.What advice can you offer other students?If you think you want to do it, just do it. If that means going to college, then go. If that means going straight into the real world, then go. Don't worry about being afraid of anything. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take the risk and jump into it, especially if you have no idea what is going to happen next."

"Tell us about your college experience.Whitman was a fantastic fit for me, although I didn't feel that way during my freshman year."

"Tell us about your college experience.School was difficult, but by getting through it I learned so much and became a better person. To me, it's all about the journey, not the endpoint."