The Gateway Program is designed to encourage Walla Walla Community College students, particularly those from low-income, first-generation, or other diverse backgrounds to pursue a liberal arts education at Whitman College.

To participate in the program, students must demonstrate the ability to meet the rigors of academic work at Whitman College. Students must be nominated by the Multicultural Coordinator and Vice President of Instruction at Walla Walla Community College for enrollment in the program. The nominee must submit an application to Whitman and be approved for entrance into the program.

Please note: the application requires the applicant to provide contact information for a Faculty Recommender, and upload an unofficial transcript.

Participants will enroll in one or two classes at Whitman College after their fourth quarter at Walla Walla Community College and will be considered for admission to Whitman College as full-time, degree-seeking candidates after successful completion of their sophomore year.

Participants will complete a reduced class load at Walla Walla Community College while attending Whitman College during the trial period. The reduced load will be such that the participant will continue to receive financial aid at Walla Walla Community College.  The courses at Whitman will apply to graduation requirements at both institutions and will be paid for by Whitman College.

If the Whitman Admission Committee finds the Gateway Program participant academically successful at both colleges, the participant will be given special consideration for admission to Whitman College as a regular degree-seeking transfer student.

For application information for the Gateway Program, contact Elena Becker, Admission Officer. For Advising/Registration information, contact Juli Dunn, Associate Dean of Students.

  • Gateway Program Application
  • Faculty Recommendation
  • Unofficial Walla Walla Community College Transcript

Application materials must be received by November 1st.  Notifications to applicants will be released mid-December.

Walla Walla Community College will nominate students for this program.  Whitman College will offer the necessary financial assistance for textbooks and related expenses and support services for these students during their participation in the program.  Whitman will provide the cost of tuition and student fees, for one or two classes, up to a maximum of eight credits per semester.  Students completing an application and matriculating as a degree candidate will be offered financial aid to meet their demonstrated need. Existing Whitman College student support services will be available.