Monday, Apr 10, 2006
Amazing. In a word, that's
the newly admitted Whitman College Class of 2010.
This added up to a highly
selective year in admission, and the 46 percent admit rate is the lowest admit
rate ever at the College. Since 2001, Whitman has seen a 43 percent increase in
applications. In addition, the students admitted for the class of 2010 are
“difference makers” in their high schools and communities and bring with them
an impressive list of accomplishments and a clear passion for learning.
They are also academically
talented: nearly 70 percent ranked in
the top 10 percent of their high school classes, and almost two hundred of the
admitted students had perfect 4.0 GPAs. The median GPA of the admitted students is 3.87 (on an unweighted 4.0
scale), they have median SAT I test scores of 690 Verbal and 670 Math, as well
as 670 SAT Writing and 30 ACT.
Although the median GPA and
SAT figures are high, said Tony Cabasco, dean of admission and financial aid, a
number of students whose grades and test scores were much lower were also
admitted. “We are interested in
admitting students who are hard-working, have a love of learning, and are
strong contributors to school and community.”
It was a pleasure and a
privilege to read the applications from so many talented students, added
Cabasco. “The admission committee members genuinely regret that we could not
admit all the highly talented students who submitted applications.”
Applicants this year came
from 49 states and the
Argentina, Bangladesh,
Botswana, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Czech Republic, Gambia, Honduras,
India, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), New Zealand, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The admitted class is also
diverse. “We are excited that the ethnic
diversity of our admitted pool has increased,” said Cabasco. “The various socioeconomic, ethnic,
religious, and geographic backgrounds that the class of 2010 brings will
enhance the learning experience for everyone. This year, nearly 21 percent of admitted students represent ethnic
diversity and another 3 percent are international students.” Cabasco also noted that 144 students are
“first generation” students, the first in their families to attend college.
Admitted students and their
families will have a chance to visit Whitman and experience first hand the
sense of community and rigorous liberal arts education on Admitted Students’
Day on Saturday, April 15. In addition, Whitman plans to welcome about 400
students who will come to campus on individual visits during the month of
April. Receptions for admitted students
will also be held in
“We look forward to working
with these admitted students in the next month as they finalize their college
enrollment decisions by May 1,” said Cabasco. “We can’t wait to welcome the class of 2010. The admission staff and I know that these talented
students will greatly impact the college community during the next four
years."
