Colorado College Full Pay vs. Whitman w/ Merit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can easily afford it, which you say you can, let your daughter pick.

I agree with this. I also think that if you were not upfront with your daughter about cost when she applied, that it’s sort of cruel to take away her top choice given you can afford it. In other words tell her before applying that you’re not paying $91k a year so she can only go if she gets merit. I will also say I have never heard of Whitman despite already going through the college process once with my oldest but I have hear very good things about Colorado College.

+1

We did not permit our kids to apply to schools we couldn't afford (or didn't want to pay for) because of this exact scenario. OP, did you tell her she could attend wherever she got in? If so, then let her pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know Kenyon, but I would guess both are good choices. I am very familiar with Whitman. The faculty and staff are so friendly and welcoming. The students are very engaged in many activities at a time. They have a culture really built around community. I would describe "most" students as PNW-outdoorsy types. Not all, for sure. But it is warm and sunny much of the year, which is very conducive to biking, skating, outdoor activities, hanging out on the main quad, and walking to the adorable downtown adjacent to the school that is filled with soooo many great shops.
My child is transferring to Whitman this fall/sophomore year and also plans to major in ES/bio, but is also a fall athlete who likes to have lots of clubs to participate in, outdoor activities, guest lecturers, etc. When she was on campus last month to tour, to sit in on classes, observe the team spring practices, lift with the team, do a volunteer activity with the team, and really talk to current students, our goal was to see if community was a real thing or just lip service. We found out that there are constantly gatherings/parties/dinners/volunteer activities going on all around campus and in dorms/interest houses that are truly open to all students. They work to get as many attendees as possible, and the events do have good attendance.
My kiddo is a west coaster who was recruited to a NESCAC and the social vibe did not work out. So, she is transferring somewhere she will thrive academically and socially (yeah, the athletics aren't as competitive, but that does not seem to matter as much now). We know other Whitman grads from her top private day school who are thriving and LOVED their time at Whitman.
Anyway, I hope this helped a bit. Again, Kenyon may have a lot of these same qualities, but for my kiddo it is all about FIT this time and Whitman had it.

PP. This is super helpful. DC does not want the NESCAC vibe (nothing wrong with NESCACs, DH attended one, but they wouldn’t be a fit for this kid). We’ve been watching Whitman videos and doing a deep dive on the web site, and we really like everything we’ve seen. I actually think this might be the one. Really appreciate the feedback! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can easily afford it, which you say you can, let your daughter pick.

+ 1 - especially if you never set down the expectation that they should go to the best financial offer. (That doesn't mean you don't sit down and talk about that though....but I'd be clear, it's their choice)

Also - it does seem these are very different schools.... I'd be sure she isn't settling for the CC method purely based on wanting to be in that location. Be sure she really understands how different that setup is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC seriously considering Whitman but we visited over summer so didn’t get the full vibe… and nine months later DC can barely even remember the campus. On paper it has everything. But DC is making the decision a little blind.

Can someone compare the Whitman vibe to, say, Kenyon? I know that it’s a lot less isolated (once you finally get to Walla Walla, which is itself isolated!). But what’s the energy of the kids on campus? Who would be happy there, vs. other LACs?

(DC wants enviro studies, probably combined with biology, but also wants to do a fair amount of writing/humanities/theater.)

Really running out the clock on this decision!

One thing to consider.... it sounds like you didn't go the the accepted students event at Whitman....perhaps because it was difficult to get to?

Did you visit other accepted students events at the alternatives?

It seems like if you couldn't get out there for the event - maybe Whitman is just too far away for your family's tastes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In case it factors into your daughter's decision, Colorado College is known to be extremely woke and as of 2024 still requires students to get the COVID vaccine, though it appears religious exemption are easy to get. Whitman also leans pretty far to the left but seems more grounded. They removed their COVID shot requirement for the 2023-24 academic year.

You post the vaccine requirements so frequently. It’s an interesting obsession. But honestly, the few people that actually care about this probably know how to look it up and will.

NP. As a parent whose teen son had a suspected myocarditis in response to the vaccine (as evaluated by a very well-respected pediatric cardiologist plus the ER doctors), I actually really appreciate this person’s posts. If it does not matter to you, do not respond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In case it factors into your daughter's decision, Colorado College is known to be extremely woke and as of 2024 still requires students to get the COVID vaccine, though it appears religious exemption are easy to get. Whitman also leans pretty far to the left but seems more grounded. They removed their COVID shot requirement for the 2023-24 academic year.

You post the vaccine requirements so frequently. It’s an interesting obsession. But honestly, the few people that actually care about this probably know how to look it up and will.

NP. As a parent whose teen son had a suspected myocarditis in response to the vaccine (as evaluated by a very well-respected pediatric cardiologist plus the ER doctors), I actually really appreciate this person’s posts. If it does not matter to you, do not respond.

Maybe it would be even more helpful to you (and others who are interested) if that poster just made a thread with that focus.