The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Dan received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Walla Walla University. He is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in Accounting tutoring, Economics tutoring, Finance tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Walla Walla University:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Dan: Walla Walla University is located in southeast Washington near wheat fields and wineries. Being in the country, it felt pretty safe there. The Tri-Cities in Washington (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland) are about 45 miles away when you need to get off campus. I was fortunate to have both a car and a bike during my college years. I did not use public transportation during that time.
VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?
Dan: I found professors at Walla Walla University to be readily available when needed, and I made sure to do the same for my students when I taught accounting courses a few years back.
VT: How would you describe the dorm life – rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Dan: I lived in the dorms during my first three years, and we had a cafeteria and a smaller student lounge where we ate. I enjoyed playing sports and socializing with others, but I got tired of dorm life and was able to get an apartment near campus my senior year. I enjoyed being near campus and having a place to get away from school.
VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study?
Dan: Business was one of the top five largest majors on campus. After I graduated, they moved the Business department into a new building, which is a huge improvement over being on the fourth floor of an 80-year-old building.
VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life?
Dan: We did not have Greek life at Walla Walla University. I made friends playing sports and participating in activities.
VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus?
Dan: I did not find them very helpful. In my case, I moved to Portland on graduation day, and I found a job shortly thereafter and began my career in accounting.
VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious?
Dan: There were libraries where we met for study groups, as well as student lounges, but I found studying in my room or at the dining table to be my best study place because it was quiet and offered few distractions. However, we did have many study groups at Merchants Coffee Shop in downtown Walla Walla.
VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between? To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus?
Dan: Walla Walla was a relatively quiet town come sundown when I attended the university. We went to a lot of movies. A highlight was going to Tri-Cities once every month or two for dinner and a movie, as well as to the water park during the spring and summer.
VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Dan: Our student body was about 2,000 students, but most of my Business classes were 20-30 students. General classes could have 60-70 students in a class in an amphitheater setting.
VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Dan: I had one professor, Ann Gibson, who was the most amazing teacher. I had taken a course taught by her mother in high school, and she was a fantastic teacher, as well. I took every class Ann taught in my last three years to gain the knowledge she offered. She was hard, but I learned so much about business from her. I modeled my teaching and tutoring from her example.
On the other hand, I absolutely hated it when a teacher came to class unprepared. I had a couple of professors that came to class and opened the textbook for the first time in front of the class. I consider those wasted lectures. I learned that preparation was the key, and, as a teacher, you owe it to your students to come prepared to answer their questions.
Check out Dan’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
