While Whitman's aid process works for most people, as evidenced by the relatively low average debt with which students leave, it does not work for all. Unusual family circumstances can result in students' aid being cut during their later years in college, when it is more difficult to transfer both emotionally and academically.

“I don’t think people realize that it’s a huge deal to decide to transfer from another school," she said.

"[It] proves that many liberal arts schools look the same on paper, but they have very different energies."