Senior Admission Interns

Name: Jacqueline Luna ‘24 (she/her)

Hometown: Panorama City, CA

Major(s): Anthropology

Why you chose Whitman: I applied through ED1 and wanted to attend a liberal arts college because my high school class sizes were frequently 30 to 40 people. Furthermore, I anticipated the curriculum would be more difficult, so I desired smaller class sizes. I also wanted to see and live in a place with all four seasons, and Whitman has a lovely campus.

Favorite things to do in Walla Walla: I enjoy bowling with my friends. I also enjoy having picnics at Pioneer Park with paint, fun snacks, and music.

Favorite spot on campus: Reid is my favorite spot on campus to hangout, not only because I work there but because it is a great place to get a snack and play games in the basement or hang out in the cafe. If necessary, an assignment could be completed in one of the available classrooms upstairs or downstairs, which is always convenient.

Best class you've taken on campus: Last Fall, I took Gender, Sexuality, Kinship, and Reproduction with Professor De La Cruz, and it was the best class I've ever taken. It showed me how gender, sexuality, kinship, and reproduction can all impact our understanding of social arrangements and individual identities. Furthermore, this class improved my understanding of gender, sexuality, kinship, reproduction in late capitalism, war, security and surveillance states, and ongoing global debates about human rights, agency, and self-determination.

Favorite campus traditions: Our annual prom night is one of my favorites. We get to dance, play in a customized casino for prizes, take pictures in the photo booth with lovely friends, dress up, and have a good time.

Name: Danny Steinberg ’26 (he/him)

Email: steinbed@whitman.edu

Hometown: Santa Ana, CA

Major(s): Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology (BBMB)

Why you chose Whitman: Whitman offered a small liberal arts experience that was more unique and individualized than other campuses I looked at. I wanted to explore a new, quieter place while staying on the west coast, and Walla Walla fit this dynamic well. Touring the campus was what truly sold it for me; the campus atmosphere and beauty in late April was unmatched. Whitman also gave me the opportunity to run cross country with a great coach and a friendly team, which is something that made it more competitive than other liberal arts colleges I had applied to.

Favorite things to do in Walla Walla: I enjoy walking downtown with my friends to Black Pearl Boba Tea and Pine Cone, watching the sunset in the wheatfields, and running down the mill creek trail.

Favorite spot on campus: Reid Campus Center has an adaptable environment that makes it my favorite spot on campus. It is suitable for studying, socializing, getting a snack, and hosting many campus-wide events.

Best class you’ve taken on campus: My favorite class I have taken is my second-semester general studies class. I had the opportunity to learn about the system of incarceration from a new lens that I had not used previously. The professor promoted discussion that encouraged complex thoughts and reactions to overcome complex problems. I also think it was a great class for improving my writing skills.

Favorite campus traditions: The finals feast at the end of every semester is a great way to relax and destress from finals, even if for a brief period of time. It also parallels an initial opportunity to start reflecting on and learning from a semester about to culminate.

Name: Carsten Wallace-Bailey ’25 (he/him)

Email: wallacec@whitman.edu

Hometown: Walla Walla, Washington

Major(s): Psychology and Film & Media Studies (Music minor)

Why you chose Whitman: Being from Walla Walla, I never thought about going to Whitman, but as the college process continued, I realized fully that Whitman had all that I was looking for. It’s a competitive and respected liberal arts college, it has a small student body and small class size, a strong focus on community, approachable and helpful staff and faculty, and a gorgeous campus. The cherry on top, however, was just how much the school cared about me during the admissions process. I felt like I was a real person who they were inviting to their school, rather than just another name in a spreadsheet. I truly felt I was welcomed to the Whitman community, and I still do.

Favorite things to do in Walla Walla: Go outside! Not only is there amazing hiking and scenery in the blues, but the surrounding area around campus is also gorgeous. I love just walking through the neighborhoods along Valencia and Boyer, and walking to Wildwood or Pioneer Park.

Favorite spot on campus: Hunter Conservatory! As a film & media major and music minor, I have lots of classes in Hunter, but it's just gorgeous inside. I think it's the prettiest building on campus, it's great to go study in there, or even just hang out and admire the beauty. Shoutout to Reid Campus Center, the Hall of Science, and Jewett Cafe, some of my runner-ups for favorites!

Best class you’ve taken on campus: Definitely The Music of 1991. It was a special topics Film & Media Studies class taught by Professor Michael Simon in the music department, and it was awesome. 1991 was a huge year for the music industry, not only did many iconic albums, like Nirvana’s Nevermind, come out that year, but also there was a huge change in the way that music sales were counted, making a big difference in the music industry and charting. There were days where my homework would be to listen to an album, which is by far the best homework I’ve ever had.

Favorite campus traditions: The A Cappella medley competition! Every spring, the three A Cappella groups on campus put together a medley of different songs mashed up, and perform them all together in a concert. It’s a competition, but the prize is only bragging rights, and everyone has a blast. I’ve had the pleasure of being in The Tones, one of the three groups, and the medley competition is always our most fun concert.