Walla Walla University (WWC)

Walla Walla University is a “Seventh-Day Adventist institution of higher education dedicated to excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God.” It offers undergraduates an “education of mind, body, and spirit” through “a wide range of degree [programs] in a semi-liberal Christian environment.” Students appreciate the “small classes” that “help facilitate more discussion,” as well as the “personal attention from professors.” (And when they say “personal,” they mean it. “Some professors schedule 30–60 minute individual meetings with all students multiple times a quarter.”) “Professors are very ‘human,’ helpful, and informed,” but students’ praise of instructors is not unqualified: “professors tend to be (but are not all) very good.” “The administration heads are accessible and supportive.” For example, “The President has weekly meetings with students to get feedback about campus issues.” However, students are perturbed that after all that feedback, the administration still “often takes a disciplinary tone.” Business and nursing are reportedly top programs here. Students believe the school could stand to build “a few newer facilities.”

The typical student at Walla Walla has “grown up in the Seventh-Day Adventist educational system.” Not surprising, given that “Many students have parents who work for the church in some capacity.” Students are “predominantly white” and “middle class,” as well as “friendly and open-minded.” Some go so far as to call their peers “genuine givers [who] really want to get to know other students.” No wonder students report feeling “completely comfortable going places or to events on campus alone because the student body feels like family in that most everyone is accepting and warm.” Despite what the virtual open admissions policy might lead you to believe, most students here are “motivated” and “hardworking.” Statistically, the school is quite ethnically diverse, so it comes as no surprise to many that “minorities fit in without any real friction.”

Walla Walla University is located in the picturesque southeastern corner of Washington State. “The Walla Walla Valley is beautiful and offers a lot of outdoor activities. In winter we ski at Bluewood or sled in the mountains. In spring we tube down the rivers.” “When it’s warm outside we play Frisbee or football.” Students also like to “go out for coffee or lunch” and visit “places around town.” “There is enough to do off-campus to provide variety, but not enough so that everyone leaves on the weekends and parties.” On campus, “instead of fraternities and sororities, we have many clubs that students can join to have fun.” Volunteering is reportedly to a big thing to do here. “Walla Walla students tend to be dedicated and hardworking, yet generous. For example, each quarter classes are cancelled for Service Day. Students are encouraged to sign up for a community project and serve for the day…Besides the quarterly service, campus ministries provide many committed students opportunities to serve others.” Students gripe that “The food options on campus are not that varied, or that good!”