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 be considered for the program, WWCC students must submit an application to Whitman, including an unofficial transcript and a faculty recommender. Applicants will be selected based on demonstrated ability to meet the rigors of academic work at Whitman, recommendations from faculty at Walla Walla Community College, and the overall strength of the Gateway application.

Students selected for the Gateway Program will enroll in one or two spring semester classes at Whitman College and have the option to apply for admission to Whitman College as full-time, degree-seeking candidates, starting the following fall after successful completion of their A.A. degree at WWCC. While admission to Whitman is not guaranteed, Gateway participants will be given special consideration for admission to Whitman College as regular degree-seeking transfer students.

Participants will complete a reduced class load at Walla Walla Community College while attending Whitman College during the Gateway Program. 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.

Running Start students are not eligible for the Gateway Program and should instead apply to Whitman as first-year students.

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

Application Checklist
• 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 by early December.

  • 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.