Simpson University
Redding, CA, USA

Reviews

Simpson University

Anonymous

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
Though the teachers may not be Nobel Prize winners, all the teachers are still very knowledgeable; my teacher, whom I have for my political science classes, used to be an attorney. My other professors, whether for General Ed or for my major (Social Science), all are very involved in my life. They bring opportunities to me before I even ask them for any. They have truly helped my growth both as a student and as a Christian. They enjoy their job and excel at it; you have to try hard to not learn anything from this school. A fountain of knowledge is at your fingertips and the teachers care about trying to relate to you on a personal level.
Am enjoying being here
The teachers are all very sweet and genuinely concerned about you and your life. The resources to grow in your faith here are clearly present and an encouraging atmosphere makes it fun rather than feeling like a duty. The other students are very welcoming; they treat you like family as soon as you're out of your car orientation day. The students help each other out to try to make sure no one gets left behind.
Bang for the buck
You're pretty much guaranteed some sort of scholarship when you come here. You have a 80 - 90% chance of getting full tuition and Room & Board isn't too much more to worry about. I missed a few scholarships because of how late I applied but if you apply early you have so much more scholarship availability than if you miss early registration.
Tips for prospective students
1) Apply early; I have full tuition covered currently and I even missed the early registration date. You can probably almost get a full ride if you qualify for early registration. 2) Visit the school; there is an event called Genesis weekend and it is a lot of fun and will help you get a much better grasp of the nearly unbelievable school atmosphere. 3) Genuinely try and care about your studies while you're there; it's hard not to learn something while you're their but if you actually put effort into it there is a mind-boggling storehouse of information and experience to gain from.
Great for these types of students
There are many different types at this school; to come to this school requires a statement of faith, though certainly there are those here who are not truly Christian. With everyone wanting to be your friend and wanting to sit with you at lunch, it is difficult to avoid finding people you fit in with. I think anyone can fit in here but those who will truly thrive are the optimistic, outgoing, highly-motivated people who aren't afraid to ask questions and interract with the teachers yet also are okay with being swarmed with people every day.

Jessica from Montague, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This is a private Christian university with the focus being on putting missionaries and other educated professionals out into the world to create change. There are only about 1100 students, making this a tight-knit community. We have an excellent faculty that go above and beyond to not only educate their students, but to help guide them in their spiritual life and get to know the students personally and individually.
Tips for prospective students
This school is for you if you are willing to work hard. Many of the classes will be very difficult if you come with the attitude that you can just slide by with C's. The tuition is costly, so unless you have a small fortune, you can't afford to barely slide by. While the academics are challenging, the atmosphere of the school is amazing. Students gather all over campus to pray for and encourage each other. Chapel attendance is mandatory. Apply early! If you can, do the Early Deposit Program that is due in March. It is only $100 and it gives you priority in financial aid awarding!
Academic Rigor
The majority of the professors have fairly challenging coursework. However, the professors are more than willing to help you if you just ask. The average GPA is fairly high, although I'm not quite sure exactly what the average is. Academic acheivement is a very high priority of Simpson, so they also offer tutors in just about every subject through the Academic Success Center.
Dorm Life
I love living in the dorms! Just about everyone is very friendly and the majority of my closest friends I met in my hall. We get together about once a week for a late-night break from homework with coffee and different activities. We have prayer leaders on each floor that will pray for you whether you need it or not and are great people to turn to for comfort!
Food and Dining
The cafeteria, which is referred to as The Caf is all-you-can-eat buffet-style. The food is pretty good, but can get boring about half-way through the year. The kitchen staff is open to trying new recipes that students request and offer vegan-friendly dishes. We have a salad bar, panini bar, cereal bar, two different hot food counters, an expedition line where the chef cooks your food made-to-order, and a dessert case. We are also only a few minutes from a variety of restaurants and fast-food places.
What to do for fun
Simpson offers intramural sports such as indoor soccer, basketball, and volleyball, we have special events throughout the year that sometimes involve the community in Redding, and school sporting events are full of energy and cheering fans. We are only a few minutes away from the Sundial Bridge, the $2 movie theater, bowling, WaterWorks water park, the Shasta Mall, and (farther away) the Shasta Caverns, Whiskeytown Lake, and Burney Falls hiking trails. For fun, many of my friends gather at Dairy Queen for ice cream and board games (open til midnight).
Bang for the buck
This school is very high-quality, but it is also very pricey. Being a private school, the cost of attendance is in the $30,000/year range, but the financial aid office is very helpful in trying to get you the best finacial aid package possible. The professors are amazing and try to explain the coursework in a way that you understand. Almost all of the professors also try to incorporate the Christian faith into their classes, and it is amazing to me that we can pray at the start of class everyday. The housing is fairly modern, the class material is up-to-date, and the school is in the process of designing a new Science and Nursing building. The campus is pretty small, but we have room to grow. The ASB just finished remodeling a room to use as a weight room, which is now open to all students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We have a pond that has a couple of bench-swings around it. It has ducks, fishing (catch and release), and no swimming. The campus itself has many trees, different flowers, and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
Greek Life
None
Campus Safety
Campus Safety patrols throughout the campus, day and night, and the women are given whisltes to carry on their keychains. Our part of Redding is relatively crime-free.

SIBY from Sunnyvale, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Love it. Although it is a smaller, private and christian school it has a lot to offer on and off campus. Love the professors and people that work at the University.
Tips for prospective students
Apply Early. Don't need to worry about getting into classes as there is plenty of room.
Academic Rigor
It is a great balance between keeping a good pace and making sure students get the material. Good amount of assignments ranging from group activities, research papers and creative interpretations/ presentations.
Dorm Life
Everyone respects each other, honors boundaries and pays attention in being intentfull in all that is said and done.
Food and Dining
The Cafeteria food is getting better, but its still cafeteria food. It has its good days and bad days. One of the problems we had with the cafeteria was having the same food over and over again that many of us got fed up with it.

Amy from Cottonwood, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Class sizes at Simpson are much smaller than at large public universities, which allows for more personalized, individual help from professors. The professors here are genuinely interested in what they teach, and they want you to gain a passion for what you learn, too.
Am enjoying being here
I love the small community here at Simpson. The student body is like a giant family, everyone is encouraging and friendly. The campus is small but beautiful.
Bang for the buck
Simpson isn't the cheapest school, but it's well worth the price you pay. They offer lots of financial aid too.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early. There's a scholarship for applying early! Come visit campus. Meeting tons of people from Simpson is what confirmed for me that Simpson is where I wanted to go to school.
Great for these types of students
Students who like small schools - you're a name, not a number. Students desiring to grow in their walk with God - you'll be challenged to grow daily. Students who like community.

Christian from Torrance, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Simpson University is a christian like environment, with very caring and loving people. I would recommend Simpson university to an individual who looks to strive in a small college environment. Simpson University is currently one of the top Christian Universities in the nation and is planning to grow in many ways to make the school a better place.
Tips for prospective students
Prospective students, must be prepared mentally to take on the task of completing their classes with high enough grades to graduate college. I would encourage prospective students to be willing to expand the mind and to learn new things. also, make sure all assignments are turned in on time.
Academic Rigor
The Academic rigor I feel is at a high enough level to become an expert on the major chosen by the time its time to graduate.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is very fun, safe, and a friendly environment. Options of a single room up to 3 other roommates including yourself. Enough space in room for comfort ability.
Food and Dining
Food and Dinning is improving every year and will satisfy needs, when the feeling of hunger comes to mind. Very well mannered cooks, clean cafeteria, and good food.
What to do for fun
Hang with friends, participate in dorm activities, attend athletic games, and etc..

Randy from Santa Clara, CA

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I really enjoyed the visit, It is a small christian college in a beautiful scenic area. The chapel service was awesome, so many people there love God! The food was delicious
Academic Rigor
I sat in on a New Testament Literature class, It was really interesting!
Dorm Life
3 girls dorms, 2 guys dorms, really big emphasis on community.
Food and Dining
Food was a buffet, it was phenomenal!
Bang for the buck
Admissions counselors were really helpful at finding scholarships.
Great for these types of students
Outgoing, Outdoors.

Myers from Pittsburg, CA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Simpson University is a very friendly christain environment for serious students and a place to learned. My Visit at Simpson University was very encouraging. Students and staffs at Simpson were very friendly and they welcome you with warm and happy welcome. They make you feel part of the community and the school.
Will enjoy being here
Yes I enjoy been there. It make me feel like i was at home.
Bang for the buck
It's a very friendly and diverse environment to all people.
Tips for prospective students
Simpson University is not a party school. It's a place for students to study and learned. They help you better off your future and it's a diverse school in the heart eventhough the population of white students is high but they are all friendly and peaceful to you. I enjoy been there at Simpson.
Great for these types of students
The types of students who should attend Simpson are those who are very religious, serious in their study, want to be close to God, want to have a family that gone help you and who want to be push to the high level of your education.

Randy from Shingletown, CA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A very safe, ethical, and academically supportive institution, the focuses not only on education, but the individuals spiritual strength. The environment is very conducive to learning and fellow students are very friendly and supportive as well.
Tips for prospective students
If you want a University that is academically challenging and spiritually focused, then this University is a great choice. Evaluate the University's programs to see if there is a fit, and come to the campus to see the very welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
What to do for fun
They offers plenty of group activities on campus. They are great at providing alternative activities to help the student get relief from their daily studies.
Bang for the buck
My husband was transferred here from Texas, where the people are very friendly and easy to get along with. I was nervous that this California school would portray the labeled Californian attitude, but to my surprise, I felt I was back in Texas. Everyone from students, professors, and administration are extremely wonderful and easy to talk to, as well as work with.
Great for these types of students
Christian based learners
Clubs and Activities
Very active campus life! They are always having events, of course they are Christian based, but it is well worth it!
Greek Life
I really am not aware of one!
Campus Safety
Security is always around and very quick to act. It is a very small campus making access to security easy and the safety of the campus well enforced.

Giovanna from Redding, CA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Going to a college where academic excellence and spiritual growth is top priority has challenged me to grow. The classes offered are taught by very intelligent and inspiring teachers that have expanded my thinking.
Am enjoying being here
I feel priviledged to go to Simpson. The spiritual and encouraging environment has made me feel confident and spurred on to become more like Jesus. The kindness and compassion of the staff and student leaders has truly made my life at Simpson very enjoyable.
Bang for the buck
The education, the campus, and the student to staff ratio is well worth the money that I am paying to attend this school!
Tips for prospective students
Seek first the kingdom and all these will be added unto you. Seeking God and working hard will benefit any student that attends Simpson. Take advantage of the Chapel services and the opportunities to get to know the staff and students because community is a very important part of life of campus.
Great for these types of students
Students who seek to grow in their relationship with God and others. Also, Simpson is for any student who wants an incredible education with sold Christian-based education.