West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA, USA

Reviews

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Amanda from Levittown, PA

a current student here
19 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are challenging but most of the teachers are pretty cool and make learning fun. Although they don't baby you like most high school teachers so you need to stay on top of your work. Get on the teachers good side by going to class and by going to office hours. Also, do all homework and extra credit... it really pays off in the end!
Am enjoying being here
I've made a lot of great friends here but a lot of people commute. If they don't commute they are from 20 minutes away. I feel like everyone went to the same 3 high schools and therefore it makes it kinda clicky. Not many people are from out of state; a lot of people call it the 13th grade.
Bang for the buck
It's a very good deal if you live in Pennsylvania because it's so cheap. The campus and classrooms are very nice and up to date. Renovations are currently being made to all the dorm rooms and academic buildings and the construction is already halfway done.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early and be patient when waiting to hear about your acceptance. They take a very long time to get back to you and don't try calling because that's a lost cause. No one ever answers the phone and you'll have better luck just showing up at the university and talking to a real person. (That's what I did!)
Great for these types of students
This is a great college for almost any type of student. There is a wonderful Greek life and hundreds of clubs/sports/groups to join. If you cannot find a certain group or organization that you want to join (which I doubt will happen) you can always create your own. It's a laid back school with many friendly people and not a lot of drama like high school.

Aliza from Fawn Grove, PA

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
West Chester is a great school. There are so many great professors who are willing to help if needed.Do your work and be careful not to get too caught up in parties and you'll do just fine. Get involved, have fun, live it up. There is so much to learn here!
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful, the staff are friendly, and the people here are a ton of fun. Get involved! There are so many clubs you can join to meet people and living in the dorms is fun too. I have met so many friends through living on campus. It is a great experience and you chose how much you enjoy it.
Bang for the buck
West Chester is one of the cheapest schools you can go to in PA, but the education is still at an equal level to all other state schools. It's nice that with in-state tuition, I won't have to worry about being in debt up to my eyeballs for the rest of my life. It is so worth the money.
Tips for prospective students
West Chester is a lot of fun, but you really have to learn how to manage your time here. It is really easy to get caught up in the party scene or to sit around and play video games all day. If you don't go to class and get your work done, you have no shot here. It's fun, but it's also a lot of work. You just need to find that happy medium and then you're good to go. Enjoy it and use your time wisely.
Great for these types of students
West Chester is great for education majors. That's what the school is known for. The first semester here, you get right into your major and your studies. The other fields here are very in depth as well. I am in the art program here, and although it is not an art school, West Chester's art program is amazing. The faculty are so helpful and understanding. As your get to know the faculty better, the classes get even better. It's a great program to be involved with. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Jenna

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
There is a place for everyone at West Chester. It is a great location, a great price, and a great community. I honestly have never met anyone who doesn'Â?t love it here.
Tips for prospective students
Do your research on your potential major. Don'Â?t just take a tour of the campus. Set up a time to meet with the department head of the major you'Â?re considering, and ask them to explain the program to you. Ask them to get you in touch with one of the students in that major who can give you an honest break down of the program. If you don'Â?t know what you want your major to be, you are not alone. The great thing about West Chester is that they have hundreds of majors, so you will eventually find your place. Your professors and advisers want you to succeed and find your passion. Almost half of students come in undecided and by sophomore year are in a major they love.
Academic Rigor
This varies depending on your major. I am Music Education major, and my classes are extremely challenging (in the best way) and time consuming. But I have friends in other majors whose classes are a breeze. In general, your major-specific classes are going to be the ones that challenge you the most and will require the most time and effort. General Education classes, depending on your professor, will require less concentration and effort than your major requirements. The bottom line, however, is that you will be challenged, and you will walk out with an amazing education and a degree that will get you somewhere.
Dorm Life
When it comes to picking traditional versus affiliated housing, you get what you pay for. If you live in affiliated housing, you will pay almost twice as much as you would in traditional housing (almost $1000 a month), but you are basically living in a hotel. You only have to share your bathroom with one other person (your roommate), your rooms are much newer and carpeted, and they'Â?re slightly bigger than traditional rooms. The downside of affiliated housing is obviously the price and also the lack of social interaction. Students in affiliated dorms tend to keep their doors closed for some reason. This is not to say that you can'Â?t make friends in affiliated dorms, but it just doesn'Â?t happen as organically. In traditional dorms however, it'Â?s more socially acceptable to keep your door open if you want people to feel free to pop in and say hello. Students in traditional dorms are also more likely to congregate and socialize in the floor lounges, which in most dorms are the central hub you have to pass through in order to get to your room. The downside of traditional dorms is that you have to share a bathroom with everyone else in your wing, and the rooms are a little smaller and nothing fancy. However, these bathrooms are gender-specific, so you won'Â?t have to shower in a stall next to someone of the opposite gender, and these bathrooms are generally really clean. They are cleaned multiple times a day. Traditional dorms are really not as bad as everyone says they are. After a few weeks, a communal bathroom won'Â?t feel weird. I personally would recommend traditional dorms to everyone their freshman year, and then if you want to experience affiliated living, do that sophomore year.
Food and Dining
There are two main places to eat your meals on-campus: Lawrence Dining Hall and Ram'Â?s Head located in Sykes Student Union. Lawrence is buffet-style eating: you use one meal swipe to get in and you can eat whatever you want, as much as you want. The food at Lawrence is nothing spectacular, but most of it is not technically bad. It'Â?s what you would expect from college dining. Occasionally they'Â?ll have something that you might actually really enjoy. The great thing about Lawrence is the variety of food. You will always find something you like. There are some stations that have the same options every day, including the salad bar, soup, fruit, pizza, made-to-order pasta, made-to-order wraps, waffle makers, burgers, fries, cereal, bagels, and hot dogs. There are other stations that vary what they make on a day-to-day basis. Some of these options include meatloaf, chicken nuggets (so delicious), grilled chicken, pork, chicken pot pie, cooked vegetables, baked potato bar, fajita bar, Frito salad bar, mashed potato bar, nacho bar, and several other options. The best thing about Lawrence by far is the ice cream. They have a dozen different hard ice cream options, but they also have a soft serve machine. That can't be beat.
Sykes is a completely different machine. The way the meal plan works at Sykes is that one meal swipe is worth $4.70. All the food at Sykes has a price, so you can buy up to $4.70 worth of stuff and use one meal swipe. If your food costs over $4.70, you can either pay for the balance with your Flex (you get $250 a semester with your meal plan), or you can use two meal swipes. If you have a lot of roll over meals (your meals roll over from week to week during the semester), then it'Â?s smarter to just use two meals rather than use up all your Flex. Flex rolls over from semester to semester and year to year, so it'Â?s nice to accumulate some roll over Flex that you can use if you ever want to eat on campus once you don'Â?t have a meal plan anym...
What to do for fun
The great thing about West Chester, and the thing that potential students find most attractive about the campus, is the location. It'Â?s not in the middle of nowhere, but it'Â?s not in the middle of the city. But if you want to get to the middle of nowhere, it'Â?s close by, and if you want to get to the city, it's close by. SEPTA bus services run right through the campus, so if you and your friends want to go into Philly for the day, you catch the SEPTA bus to the train station in Philly, and it'Â?s only an hour ride. Usually my friends and I will take the bus into Philly at least once a semester to go see a concert or walk around the city. You do not have to have a car on campus to be able to get somewhere fun. The borough of West Chester (borough is just a fancy name for town) is right up the street from campus. There are tons of shops and restaurants within a few blocks of each other. When it's nice out, it'Â?s great to just take a walk into town to go to Kiwi, the best frozen yogurt place in the world, or just to go for a walk. Once you're of age, there are a dozen great bars all within walking distance of each other and of campus. On campus, there is always something going on. The university sponsors a Friday night program called Sykes After Dark (which I think they are renaming soon), which the university holds every Friday night to promote students not drinking on or off campus. They have something different every week, including comedians, casino nights, BINGO night, JAVA JAM open mic nights, and karaoke. Additionally, there's always free food and a free midnight movie if you have the Sykes After Dark wristband. Every weekend, Sykes shows a movie at several different times throughout the weekend for $2. This is a movie that just came out of theaters. In addition to all of this, other campus activities are always happening, including concerts, football games, conferences, and other sporting events.
Bang for the buck
All state schools in general are a huge financial win in my opinion. For the location, quality of the education, and everything that'Â?s included in your tuition (125 printer pages a week, gym access and fitness classes, tutoring services, etc.), I couldn't be happier with the in-state tuition.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
-Banana Day: It'Â?s really hard to explain Banana Day to people that don'Â?t go to West Chester, but it is by far the highlight of everyone'Â?s year. Banana Day is a day all about bananas. All across campus, there are free bananas, and Lawrence serves banana-themed food. In the quad, there are dozens of games you can play in the hopes of winning a coveted Banana Day T-shirt. If you win a T-shirt, you should consider yourself a god amongst men. Do not over think this. It'Â?s literally a day about bananas.
-Baker Bob and Diner Dan: These are the two icons of campus. Baker Bob is the most cheerful person in the world. He is in Sykes on Tuesdays and Lawrence on Wednesdays. He makes create-your-own desserts, and he is the happiest person in the world. You will consider him your second grandparent. Diner Dan is a unique, cynical man who works the register at the diner. He is quite a character, and will always wish you luck with your semester after handing you back your swipe card.
-The castle's whispering arch: West Chester's campus is beautiful, and my favorite part about it is the castle building, called Philips Memorial Building. It is a beautiful castle at the entrance of campus, and a really cool feature of it is at the arch way, there is a little hole you can whisper into, and only the person standing on the other end of the arch can hear what you'Â?re saying.
-Miss and Mr. WCU: Miss WCU is a huge pageant that happens in February. The contestants spend the entire school year preparing for this night, and it is basically the Miss America contest on a college level. Miss WCU is the queen of campus. Mr. WCU is basically a parody of Miss WCU, but it is so entertaining.
Great for these types of students
Anyone. There is a place for literally every type of student. There are so many clubs, organizations, and majors, that it is incredibly difficult to not find your niche here. There are students of every race, religious background, economic standing, and family type.
Clubs and Activities
There is something for everyone. Besides the Greek life, there are over a hundred clubs and organizations pertaining to every religion, hobby, community service type, and group. There are a cappella groups, a Catholic Newman Center, an Anime club, several community service organizations, student government, and the list goes on.
Greek Life
During the first few weeks of school, when Rush weeks start happening, it will seem like everyone and their mother is in a fraternity or sorority. That really is not the case. The campus reports that 1,087 students of the approximate 11,000 undergraduate students are involved in Greek life. When you'Â?re on campus, I'd say that it usually seems like 30% of the people that I know or are in class with are in a fraternity or sorority. I personally am not. If you want to be in a fraternity or sorority, then go for it. Everyone that is involved in Greek life absolutely loves it. If you don'Â?t want to be involved in Greek life, don'Â?t think that you will be the odd ball out. Greek life does not rule the campus, and there are plenty of other ways to make friends.
Campus Safety
No matter where you go to school, you have to be smart. Regardless of where you go to school, you should never walk by yourself at night, especially on a weekend when obviously people have been out and drinking. The campus is very well-lit for the most part, and throughout campus there are emergency buttons that can be pressed and campus safety will come to where you are. Every dorm is regulated by a security guard every night starting at 8 PM, and only students who reside in that dorm can get in to the building, unless they are signed in by someone that lives in the building. Campus sends out a text to all students in case of a campus emergency. Usually these texts happen once every two or three weeks, and they are usually about a sexual assault happening on-campus by an assailant who was known to the victim before the occurrence. AKA, students were drinking in a dorm and someone was taken advantage of. Obviously this is never the victim'Â?s fault, but you have to protect yourself from these situations and be smart about getting drunk when you are not surrounded by your friends who can keep an eye out for you.

Kiera from Hatfield, PA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
West Chester is the absolute best choice for anyone who is looking for a place to grow academically and socially. The campus is the perfect size: small enough to not get lost, but big enough for plenty of places to meet up with friends. The students and faculty are all incredibly supportive of one another, creating an accepting and judgement-free environment. Go Rams!
Tips for prospective students
Whether you are only considering attending West Chester University or you have had your heart set on this place since birth, there are a few things to know before you dive right in to the purple and gold. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there on orientation weekend! It may feel like you're being awkward, but truth is people are grateful to have company around them in a similar situation. Also, GO TO CLASS! That being said, professors are professors for a reason: they know what they're doing. Don't be afraid to speak to your professor about anything you are unsure of in a class. They really are there to help! And lastly, the food here is actually good! I promise you will always be able to find something to eat at almost every hour of the day.
Academic Rigor
I personally sailed through high school with little to no problems, so when I got to college I expected nothing to change. West Chester does pride itself in its academics though, so I had to step up my game only slightly. If you're willing to put in a little more work, West Chester is definitely worth it!
Dorm Life
The dorms here aren't all that bad. Tyson Hall and Goshen Hall are definitely the nicest of the traditional North Campus housing. If you're lucky enough (or rich enough) to live in the affiliated housing, then you are certainly in for a treat. Though living conditions might be better in affiliated, there's just nothing that compares to the friendships you make in the traditional housing.
Food and Dining
The food is really good at Ramshead food court in Sykes. There are plenty of options, and it generally makes taking food on the good a lot easier. Lawrence Dining Hall is pretty good as well. The food might not be as great as Sykes, but if you're more about quantity than quality, by all means Lawrence will be your heaven. The diner is also really great and it stays open way later than either of the two mentioned above.
What to do for fun
Almost everyday you will see people just hanging out in the quad doing whatever it is that they love to do. There are plenty of concerts and shows going on year-round if you are into the arts. There is also nothing like making new friends and spending quality time with them. The town of West Chester is literally a five minute walk from North Campus. You'll find little boutiques, restaurants, convenience stores, etc. If you're looking for something fun to do, the town has you covered.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One of West Chester's favorite traditions is Banana Day! Before finals week during the spring semester, West Chester goes bananas! You can't walk five feet without seeing, smelling, or even hearing bananas. All day, bananas are free to eat and students can compete in games and activities to win a coveted banana day t-shirt that changes every year. It's a day you'll always remember and will never have this much fun with a fruit.

nicholas from west chester, pa

a past student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
west chester university will forever hold a place in my heart. the beautiful wcu campus is within walking distance of downtown west chester, with plenty of food options and entertainment for all ages. i am proud of my alma mater and will always strongly recommend it as an academic path for potential prospective students.
Tips for prospective students
allow yourself to be open to new opportunities and experiences. you have no limit on how much you can learn and grow in four years, in all regards, unless you choose to close yourself off from such opportunities and experiences.
Academic Rigor
i am grateful for all i learned from my professors. some of my professors became, and still remain, my biggest mentors.
Dorm Life
i had a great experience as a resident in allegheny hall my freshman year and made a lot of close friends who i still keep in touch with on a regular basis. i was a resident assistant my second year and enjoyed that experience just as much. the common theme between both of the two years i lived on campus was being open to meeting new people and making new friends. wcu residence life does a good job of facilitating positive communities in the residence halls.
Food and Dining
the on-campus dining hall (lawrence) gets a bad rep from students, but it is not all-bad. if you know how to navigate your options, and remember to eat as if you are eating regular meals at home, you will not tire your lawrence tolerance in your first few weeks of being on-campus. since lawrence dining hall is set up partially buffet style and partially window-serve style, it helps to become nutritionally aware of what you are consuming, and how much you are consuming, so as not to gain unwanted weight or become nutrient deficient in any way. always have food in your room for those times you are too late to grab dinner at lawrence. the diner (attached to lawrence) is okay, and is open significantly later than lawrence, but you definitely do not want to eat there too often as the menu options are certainly not the healthiest. off-campus eating is great, if you have the financial stability to do so.
What to do for fun
you will never have a dull moment in west chester. whether there are events on-campus, recreational activities/sports, downtown west chester events, or if you want to go see a movie, everything is within walking/short driving distance. uber and lyft services are plentiful in west chester, so do not hesitate to utilize them if you and/or your friends do not have cars on campus.
Bang for the buck
definitely a great educational value and experience for tuition paid.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
keep an eye out for banana day in the spring!
Great for these types of students
self-aware; fun-loving; social; intellectual; intimate.
Clubs and Activities
there is certainly a club for just about everything you could ever want to be a part of! find your passion, and then find the right supporting organization and get involved with them!
Greek Life
i was not affiliated with greek life, but i know there are plenty of greek organizations at wcu!
Campus Safety
campus safety is quick to respond to incidents, and frequently keeps students up to date about incidents that occur that could potentially affect them in some way. you are bound to receive at least one campus safety-related email per month!

Michelle from Hazlet, NJ

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It really is a great place to spend your college years. It is full of staff and faculty who truly care about their students. Being an out of state student, I am truly grateful to be a student here at West Chester.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! You are guaranteed to meet people just like you and find your place on campus. The sooner you get involved the better, but it is never too late. Also, always put school first, but it's okay to enjoy yourself sometimes. Your mental health is more important, so make sure to make time for yourself, family and friends.
Academic Rigor
It really depends what major you are in. Speaking from mine, which is nutrition, it's a lot of work. But depending on how hard you work and the amount of time you put into each class, you'll get but just fine.
Dorm Life
I lived in a dorm for two years and I met my absolute best friends. Dorm life is really what you make of it. Go to all events and make yourself known because it will help you meet new people and make new friends and help make your college experience the best it can be.
Food and Dining
The food was not always the best, but when your busy studying, you'll take what you can get. It will definitely make you appreciate home cooking much more.
What to do for fun
There is a lot to do on and off campus. They have Sykes After Dark on Fridays, and they also show $2 movies all weekend. They have the Rec center which has basketball courts, rock climbing wall, and racket ball courts. They also teach different workout classes during the week. Everyone absolutely loves going into town, because it is so cute. They have shops and restaurants and it is just relaxing to get out and walk around.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
You must check out the arch of the castle building. If you and someone else stand on both ends of the arch and whisper, you can hear it from the other side.

Eric from Mechanicsburg, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
West Chester University is an interesting blend of the urban and suburban. The school while in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolitan area stands alone as its own entity and treats the community as such. The school has a somewhat diverse yet separate student body that leaves many satisfied and many not sure how to feel.
Tips for prospective students
If you're planning on coming to West Chester know what to expect. It's not Philadelphia, it's a small town and the people treat it as such. There's not trash everywhere and noise in Philly which is nice but there's also a lack of diversity you see in an urban center and there is a much much much smaller creative community in the town than Philadelphia.

That being said West Chester is in its own right an interesting college town that can keep your attention pretty well if you aren't looking for a large creative community. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the town which are fun(if somewhat expensive) but if you're underage in West Chester you'll likely be spending a lot of time socializing at parties in West Chester (if drinking is your thing that is). On parties too, most parties are ticket parties which can be really frustrating to Freshman who may not have friends with apartments but that's a temporary thing as almost everyone makes friends in college and you'll find a place to wind up eventually.

Overall just do your best to keep an open mind when at West Chester but know what you want to do. If you're going for Business, Science, Communication, Nursing, or Education, West Chester is a great choice. If you're not going for one of those careers, keep your options open.
Academic Rigor
West Chester offers a pretty decent level of instruction for the price point. The teachers generally speaking are very knowledgable and are willing to teach you what you need to know and want to know. The problem usually stems from students being too apathetic to ask the questions you wish they would. If you come into your classes with enthusiasm and curiosity, you'll do just fine at West Chester.
Dorm Life
Dorms suck but we all have to put in our time right? Next question.
Food and Dining
The food is your standard Aramark food on campus. Sometimes you wonder where they found the food in Lawrence but it kind of becomes a running joke after a few weeks. If you'd rather eat something less sketchy, the food trucks on campus are a great choice. The town itself offers AMAZING restaurants but they are pricey as West Chester is an expensive town.
What to do for fun
For most people drinking is the activity of choice. You'll find a numerous amount of bars in West Chester (Including some of the residential streets) and a handful of beer and liquor stores in the area. There are some decent venues for music as well but sadly you need to be 21 to get into them. There are some public parks that make for good fun and the quad is a great space for soccer or football or what have you. The student rec center does a good job at entertaining a lot of students as well.
Bang for the buck
For the cost of West Chester compared to other schools, you do get quite a lot. A lot of people choose West Chester as their Safety School and don't take any shame in that. It's a good place to go for people to get a quality education at a cost that won't take them till their 50's to pay off.
Great for these types of students
STEM students, Communications students, Nursing students, Accounting and or Finance.
Clubs and Activities
For the size of the student population West Chester has a surprising amount of club s. There are clubs for virtually everything from fishing, to politics, language and community service, students should have no trouble finding activities to occupy their time after classes.
Greek Life
Greek life is extremely present in West Chester. It can be a little overwhelming because some students may feel as if they can't have as much fun here without joining a Greek organization but there are still plenty of other ways to make friends in this town.
Campus Safety
Safety is almost never a concern here. The campus is well lit and so is the town. While crime is not totally absent from the town the isolated incidents usually result from alcohol or just bad luck. In my time here I've never been accosted or harassed and there are emergency poles on campus to call campus security.

William from Philadelphia, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
My favorite aspect of West Chester University of PA is the quiet, quaint college community. You're just minutes away from Philadelphia, Delaware and Maryland in one direction, and farm country in the other, with attractions like King of Prussia Mall and Longwood Gardens virtually around the corner. The peace and tranquility of this college town has a lot to offer the individually both mentally and physically.
Tips for prospective students
Don't let one bad visit/experience taint your perception of West Chester University. 95% of the days in West Chester are beautiful and sunny, and the people that you meet here are friends you will cherish until the end of your days. Sure that experience is available at any secondary educational institution, but I find that West Chester just has a really nice blend of individuality.
Academic Rigor
Having come from a College Preparatory High School, I was very prepared for college, but I find most of the classes and educators to be very engaging and interesting. Professors are fair and offer plenty of opportunity for discussion outside of the class room if I am ever struggling.
Dorm Life
Having lived and worked in the dorms, both traditional and suite style, for 2 years, I can honestly say that WCU dorm life is a great experience. People on each floor are often seen bouncing from room to room visiting friends. The facilities also provide necessary kitchen access, fitness equipment, and night time security in each building. Residential Assistants offer community activities to allow residents opportunities to bond with others in their dorm over fun activities.
Food and Dining
Probably my least favorite aspect of WCU is the dining services. The food is good for the most part, but like any student, I'm going to complain about over pricing.
What to do for fun
As I mentioned earlier, attractions like King of Prussia mall and Longwood Gardens are a stones throw from campus for students with a means of transportation. For closer-to-home fun, the town of West Chester is within walking distance for delicious food and boutique shopping. There are also plenty of parks for recreation in the area. Finally, there are dozens of clubs and organizations on campus that will allow you to extend your social circle and make lifelong friends
Bang for the buck
Being a state school, definitely worth the money. I couldn't imagine paying 5x as much money to go elsewhere that doesn't offer half of the amenities that WCU does
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Banana day is a day during the spring semester where the campus comes alive with games, races and other sorts of activities rewarded with t-shirts, food and of course... bananas.
Great for these types of students
Great for literally any individual
Clubs and Activities
As a member of Greek Life on my campus I can speak from experience that our activities both on and off campus are a lot of fun to get involved in. The people that you meet, and the connections that you make will last a long, long time.
Greek Life
As mentioned above, as a member of Greek Life i can say that our community is growing. Greek Life isn't a gigantic part of campus life in West Chester, but those who are involved love being a part. We work extensively with the local community and each other, ultimately forming interrelations between all Greeks.
Campus Safety
It's a dry campus, with nightly security as mentioned prior. I never feel threatened, no matter the time of day. Given there are incidences, but this is America after all. This campus is well protected. There is a police station located on the edge of campus.

Nicole from Pottstown, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
West Chester is a very well-rounded university with so much to offer at such a reasonable price. It is a great place to discover new interests and follow your passions. Everyone attending this university is united and proud to be a Golden Ram!
Tips for prospective students
Apply early. More and more people are applying to this school so the sooner that you get your application in, the better. Also come visit campus before you make your final decision, so that you can be sure that West Chester is right for you. It is easy to sign up for a tour online. There are many time slots available every week. The student tour guides are very friendly and knowledgeable and are always happy to answer questions.
Academic Rigor
Classes will vary in difficulty, but there is definitely a challenge. You will learn a lot from your courses and they have so much to offer. It may seem overwhelming at times depending on your degree requirements and specific course schedule, but it is definitely manageable. You will really enjoy your classes.
Dorm Life
For traditional dorms the living facilities are very decent. Though some of the buildings are old, they are still livable and kept pretty clean. The RA's are VERY nice and always around. You can talk to them about anything. They are always happy to help or just have friendly conversation with you. It can be that one thing that cheers you up after a tough day. The other students in the dorm also get along well. Depending on what floor you're on, sometimes the floor as a whole becomes very close and you might already have a group of people to have fun with.
Food and Dining
The dining hall food isn't terrible. It is college food, so you probably will get tired of it after a while, and it isn't exactly like home-cooked food. However, it isn't really bad. Luckily, when you aren't in the mood for the dining hall, there are also other places on campus to eat. You can get custom-made sandwiches and salads in the student union building. There is also the campus Diner where you can get sandwiches, fries, milkshakes and more all the way until 2am. Of course everybody loves the Einstein Bros. Bagels and Starbucks conveniently on campus!
What to do for fun
For one thing there are plenty of clubs and organizations on campus. If you have a passion or an interest there is definitely a group for it on campus. The student union building also hosts many fun events, including movies on the weekends as well as Sykes After Dark on Fridays, when they have many activities and even different guest entertainers. Even in the dorms the RA's are always hosting fun events and socials. You can always have a good time. If you want to get off campus, even if you don't have a car it is a short and convenient walk into town. High St. has many restaurants and cute shops. The town has such a nice atmosphere that you will enjoy merely walking up and down the streets. There is always something to do in West Chester.
Bang for the buck
West Chester is most definitely one of the most affordable schools out there. Even on a tough budget it is affordable and manageable! And of course there are also PLENTY of scholarship opportunities from the school (not to mention all of the other scholarships out there).
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Homecoming is one of the greatest events on campus. It is always so much fun to see the parade and be with everyone cheering and screaming united. The whole campus comes together for such a fantastic event!
Great for these types of students
Honestly, West Chester is great for any kind of student. It is a very diverse community with students of all types and personalities and interests. Whatever you like to do or whatever you have a passion for there is a place for you on this campus. Of course you will thrive all the more here if you like a fun and upbeat setting.
Clubs and Activities
There is a HUGE list of things to do at West Chester. There are so many clubs for just about any interest and many organizations that do great things. There are groups for simple fun and there are also groups that do many great things to contribute to charity and to the community. There is so much wonderful campus environment.
Greek Life
There are plenty fraternities and sororities to join. If you look and go to the many information sessions that they have, you will surely find one where you feel like you belong. Many of the Greek organizations do great things for the student community as well as the community of West Chester and beyond. Don't fear hazing because the campus has a very strict no hazing policy. The Greek life is friendly and united.
Campus Safety
Campus security is always available. Most of the campus remains well lit. There are emergency phones always close on every street, but it isn't likely that you need them. There are few assaults and crimes committed on campus but when they are, campus safety alerts the campus community almost immediately. You can arrange for campus safety alerts to be sent right to your phone. The few assaults and crimes are usually due to incidents of extreme intoxication or people making unsafe decisions. As long as you do what is safe you should have nothing to worry about.

Anne from Havertown, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are sort of challenging but they have taught me how to become better organized, and how to succeed better as a student. I have only had experience with general education requirements so far so I cannot say that I have learned much for my major yet.
Am enjoying being here
It is close to my home and the campus is beautiful. There is so much to offer and so much to do. I have made so many new friends and found the professors to be helpful and caring.
Bang for the buck
It is perfect for the price. You cannot beat it!
Tips for prospective students
Study hard and enjoy yourself. Get involved in something, you will meet many new people.