Students playing cards

Whitman College enrolls approximately 1,500 students from throughout the world, creating an intellectually centered, diverse and highly engaged community of scholars. We strive to build a community that represents students from various ethnic, religious, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds.

Whitman's international students are essential and valued members of this diverse community and receive extra care and attention from the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, which provides transition, orientation and immigration support. The office also organizes community and holiday break activities, and manages the Global Whitties and the Friendship Family Program. These programs help international students connect on-campus mentor, as well as build relationships with the community by being paired with a local family.

Have questions about applying? Email our Admission Office at international@whitman.edu.

First-Year Deadlines Transfer Student Deadlines Early Decision FAQ Apply to Whitman

Whitman College requires international applicants whose first language is not English to submit an official score report for either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

The institution code for Whitman is 4951. You will need this code when requesting official score reports for submission.

The minimum required TOEFL scores are 560 on the paper-based exam or 85 on the internet-based exam. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. The minimum Duolingo score is 110. The TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo can be waived if your first language is English OR if the primary language of instruction at your high school has been English. Exceptions beyond these cases are rare.

Interviews for admission to Whitman College are not required. International applicants who are not able to travel to Walla Walla for an interview have the option of completing an interview through InitialView or Vericant.

For more information, please contact the international admission coordinator, Veronica Ortiz.

Whitman College is proud to be a partner with the Davis United World College Scholars Program. The Davis Scholarship program contributes $10,000 each year for four years to entering UWC graduates enrolling at Whitman College.

Enrolling students from United World Colleges may also be eligible for a travel stipend that covers the cost of one round-trip ticket to Whitman College from their home country.

Whitman College offers credit for certain scores on specified International Baccalaureate exams. Learn more about Whitman's IB credit policy by reviewing the Academics section of the college catalog.

The Whitman College Intercultural Center

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

The Study in the States website with Homeland Security has good general information about student visas and what the requirements are to get a visa and maintain it once you are in the United States.

The U.S. State Department can be very helpful in your college search and provides instructions and tips for obtaining a student visa and the location of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

The U.S. Network for Education Information covers many topics and has links to dozens of useful sites.

News and Features

  • Get to Know the Class of 2024

    May 25, 2021 • Like no class before them, they began at Whitman College virtually. The Class of 2024’s true uniqueness lies, though, in the depth and breadth each of their personal narratives adds to the Whitman community. Read some of their stories.

  • Across Distance, Across Cultures

    May 25, 2021 • Alumni help welcome first-year students to Whitman

  • Whitman’s International Student Enrollment Strengthened by Financial Support

    April 16, 2021 • Whitman’s promise of diversity in student nationalities has led to a rise in international student enrollment over the past decade, supported by the college’s policy to meet international students’ full financial need.

  • A Poetic Journey

    March 3, 2021 • First-year student and poet Tejashree Jadhav connects and competes from a world away.

  • Whitman’s First-Ever Academic Theme Explores Race, Violence, and Health

    November 20, 2020 • This is the first academic theme that Whitman has taken on, and its development has been spearheaded by Shampa Biswas, Professor of Politics and Judge & Mrs. Timothy A. Paul Chair of Political Science. In May, when people across the country took to the streets to condemn police brutality and racism—in the wake of the death of George Floyd—Biswas knew that Whitman needed to be ready to do something when students returned in the fall.