Whitworth University

Academics - for Pre-Health kids
Let me tell you, the pre-med (and other health professions) track here is AWESOME. Freshman year, there's a class just for the pre-health programs. They teach you the things you'l need to do to get in and have speakers from different fields tell you about their experiences. Toward the end of your time, there's a dedicated MCAT (med school entrance exam) prep class. All along the way, there are faculty that will give you advice on any step of the path to med school. I graduated in 2013, and now I and many of my classmates are attending well-respected med schools around the country.

Academics in General
I felt as though the academics were at an appropriate level - I learned all the things I needed to pursue my life goals, but there were no classes that were crazy difficult. In general, the professors really want you to succeed. I wasn't buried in work, there were no tests worth half my grade, and there were no classes where everyone was struggling just to pass. The thing about Whitworth is that the professors are chosen for their ability to teach, not the grant money they'll bring in like at large research institutions. There are summer research programs to be had in various fields, but there are only a few spots open.

Financial Aid
First off, if you have really good SAT scores you should definitely think about applying here. They offer some SWEET scholarships - up to half your tuition. On top of that, there are plenty of need-based scholarships as well. If the cost of tuition is holding you back, call the financial aid office to see what sort of aid you qualify for. It will surprise you. Cost of living is really cheap here ? rent is about $300 a month off-campus.

Religious Aspect
Seeing that Whitworth is affiliated with the Presbyterian church, you might wonder how religious the school and its students are. The school itself is fairly liberal. You'll learn about evolution, Nietzsche, and many differing viewpoints. The campus has fairly lax rules compared to some other religious institutions - there's no drinking and no sex on campus, but that's about it. No curfews, no restrictions on boys being in girls' rooms, no required chapel, etc. There are three required Core classes. The first is basically history of Christianity, the second is philosophy(both Christian and not), and the third is ethics and public policy. Not too different from something you might see at a secular school.

The Culture
The students are mostly from the Pacific Northwest, but there are a fair number of Californians and Hawaiians as well. Most are white. But at Whitworth, you'll find a very particular culture that you won't find somewhere else. There's no Greek system, and the party scene is small and underground. About 70% of the kids are the type who would rather go to the movies or go to a basketball game than party. They might be Christians, or they might not be. About 20% are your typical college-age partiers that you would see on any other campus. The last 10% are...well...let's say they have very firm religious beliefs. But for the most part, Whitworth kids are normal people who are a just a little more on the tame side of average. If you're not big on the party scene and love Disney movies, Whitworth is your place.

What there is to do
Whitworth is kind of on the edge of town. Most people don't really leave campus all that much. But, that means that there is tons to do on campus. Every night, each of the dorms have "Prime Time." This is an activity hosted by the RAs that is open to anyone. It might be a game, a craft, a scavenger hunt, whatever. Think youth group-type stuff. It's a great way to make friends and have something to do on a night off. Whitworth regularly puts on movie nights, dances, and concerts - we even had Macklemore perform for free before he got big. Our choir and wind symphony is award-winning.

The Dorms and the Campus
All students are required to live on campus for the first two years. The dorms are comparable to what I've seen elsewhere. Some buildings are new and really nice, others are older and have their quirks (looking at you, Stewart). There's a lot of houses right across the street for your last two years, and rent is usually $300 a month. The campus is BEAUTIFUL. I still can't get over it. Seriously, look it up on Instagram. There's several new dorms, a very fancy science building built in 2011, and a new rec center built in 2013, complete with an indoor track, a full gym, rock walls, the works.

The Short Version
Great Pre-Med program. Professors are fantastic lecturers who want you to succeed. There is plenty of financial aid for gifted students and those who need it. The school is quite liberal for a religious institution. The students are mostly normal people who are a little more wholesome than most. Though Spokane is not exactly a tourist destination of the West, there's a lot to do on campus. The campus is breathtakingly beautiful and there are tons of new facilities. If you have any other questions, I would LOVE to answer them for you. Please don't hesitate to email me.