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Soka University of America Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Soka University of America reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Soka University of America. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Soka University of America reviews, or contribute your own Soka University of America review if you're a current student there.

  • 10 out of 10 people found this review useful.

    victor from Seattle, WA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I think any college experience will result in learning a lot...weather from professors or friends. So in that respect Soka does not stand out. However it does have excellent, dedicated professors who you get to know if you choose to. Classes are eclectic, but mostly interesting, especially the ones that are only found here at Soka. As a freshman everyone is required to take the course Core which is essentially examining, using western/eastern philosophy, what makes people happy, and how to live well. Very interesting class. Core 2 is taken sophomore year, and is less theoretical and more practical, i.e. how to live well in your own life, not just in general.
    Am enjoying being here

    Soka has potential to be very fun. Dorm life is luxurious compared to most schools; every room has its own full bathroom, thermostat, and all rooms are a good size larger than most other schools Ive seen. However, the small size, (<500) can be frustrating for social life. There arent big parties, and on the rare occasions when there are they are usually busted by the Resident Hall Coordinators. Without a car you will be restricted to hanging out primarily on campus, which can be frustrating. However, Soka does have high quality people in abundance. Forming friends is easy as most people are friendly, and friendships are put in time-capsules, that is it feels like youve known people for years, even though it may have been only a few months. Gossip spreads quickly with the small student body, which can be frustrating, but college is a time of drama for everyone, and Soka is obviously not the only place this happens. Administration is where Soka severely lacks; they are unreliable, sometimes not helpful, and not nearly as personal as the schools small size might infer. Food is usually good, and the grill option is great for really picky eaters. The athletic facilities are absolutely fantastic, get lucky and you'll see lots of pro athletes from every sport training here.
    Bang for the buck

    With the SOS (soka opportunity scholarship, free tuition for students from families with less than $60k a year in income) it is excellent, a private, prestitious institution for only about $12k a year (room and board + travel). However, having to pay full price, upwards of $36K, would be perhaps too much, compared to say a state school of equal or even greater quality. There is mandatory study abroad, which is included in tuition, a great bonus, as well as a free laptop to start your journey there. Quite pleasant.
    Tips for prospective students

    Do not buy into the image Soka portrays, find out for yourself. Ask students of all kinds how much they like it, why they do/dont, and make your own decision. It can be stressful here, and it is not the all-loving, peaceful place some people claim it is. Also the food you get during the specified freshman overnight visit event, is much much better than usual, so dont get used to it.
    Great for these types of students

    Soka is really well suited for mellow people. If you dont want your college experience to include loud music, big parties, and rambunctious sporting events, you'll do great here. It is a quiet place, and even on weekends most people are doing low-key activities. However there are many many opportunities to showcase talents (even imagined ones) to very supportive, mostly sincere people. You will, if you so choose, make many great friends here. Ive been here for only a year and a half and I have many friends I know I'll keep in contact with for the rest of my life. So if you like making friends, in a low key, academically focused atmosphere, you will probably like Soka.

  • 4 out of 6 people found this review useful.

    Raquel

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Soka is a great school to attend as long as you keep an open mind and plan on making lots of friends. People there tend to be very friendly and very multicultural.
    Great for these types of students

    If you want to experience something deeper than just a four year education then strive to find it here. I am actually only a 2nd year student here, so I am still experiencing as well.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Penelope from Aliso Viejo, CA

    Reviewer is A past student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    soka strives hard to maintain a respectable atmosphere where the value of peace, diversity, and education are molded into each student.
    Tips for prospective students

    if you already have a good head on your shoulders, you might feel a bit impatient here. professors here generally treat you like you don't know anything because it is often true of the students. students here really depend on professors for everything. there are many professors who have a really good reputation, and students maintain that reputation by always acting as if they are in awe at every word that is spoken in a lecture. it's all about reputation here. supposedly we value critical thinking but not many students really use it in their lives. the general sentiment here is, if you don't have anything good to say, don't say it. they will take offense to deep criticisms of the school unless you fluff it up with praises and a show of appreciation.
    Academic Rigor

    it really depends on the professor. some courses are really sad excuses of college learning. other courses are life changing and will have you missing sleep over many chapters and papers.
    this is the kind of school where you are required to participate in most courses. many teachers will lower your grade if you miss 3 or 4 sessions. but participation isn't so difficult - they want you to talk during class and even if you are just voicing a stupid opinion, they will reward you for trying.
    Dorm Life

    the expensive room and board is worth it because you get a bigger room than most schools provide. the sad thing is they require you to live on campus. since there is a very small student population of less than 1000, you will feel trapped by the time you are a senior if you don't have a car. many students don't have cars unless they are residents of the area. there is a huge difference between students who never leave the school and those who get out once in a while. believe it or not, most students are very satisfied staying on campus all year long. they are crazy. the campus is in the middle of nowhere. it is safe and boring but there is a movie theatre nearby and just enough places to eat and shop. the isolation of the area makes for a good place to study without distraction.
    Food and Dining

    the food is much more diverse and exciting than the food in other schools. there is alot of food that might not be appealing to alot of students. there is alot of fish. but there are always two or three options and one of them is always something more american. burgers and chicken sandwhiches are always available. in the morning you can wait in line to get eggs/omelets cooked for you, or there are the normal breakfast buffet times.
    What to do for fun

    extracurricular activities are what students rely on for fun. there are several dance and music clubs. there are some sports events which aren't as serious as the sports teams. there is a movie theatre a mile away, in a shopping center which also consists of wahoo's tacos, subway, tjmaxx, ralphs grocery store, cvs, mobtown pizza, and some expensive clothing stores. there is also a quiet cafe nearby that alot of students go to but it's really small. there are a couple starbucks' in the area. target and walmart are nearby. most students don't go out much. they are busy doing extracurricular projects and studying.
    Bang for the buck

    it's a really expensive school and it's not well known. people who get into good careers or programs after attending soka are the ones who really go out of their way to make use of every opportunity. there aren't impressive internships here, so make sure to have some lined up for the summer.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    people here are very religious. you have to know what you are getting into or else you will be confused and scared. it is nothing harmful but it is daunting that so many people practice a religion you have never even heard of. don't waste your time with it unless you really find it interesting.
    Great for these types of students

    students who are serious about international studies.
    Clubs and Activities

    there are good clubs to join but not many. the good thing is, if you are really interested in something that doesnt exist on campus, you can start a club - something to put on your resume.
    Greek Life

    none
    Campus Safety

    this school is very serious about safety. extremely serious.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Furkey

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Soka Education really allows for open minded students to learn about the rest of the world. Depending on which concentration you are in, the classes you will be taking will change and so will the type of subjects you will be exposed to. Overall, all students will typically get a thorough introduction to philosophy.
    Am enjoying being here

    You meet such amazing people, and take classes for with such quirky and amazing professors, it's difficult not to enjoy being at Soka.
    Bang for the buck

    Soka is a private liberal arts University, which like most private Universities are more expensive than public school. But Soka has a scholarship provided to all students who's family income is $60,000 or less. The university is affordable to most students and well worth it in pursing a college career.
    Tips for prospective students

    Come to the Open house programs throughout the school year, or Lions Roar and Experience Soka. These type of events are hosted by the students and really allow for perspective students to see if Soka is perfect for them, when deciding on which college to enroll in.
    Great for these types of students

    Any type of student will enjoy Soka, but those that benefit the best, are those who are concerned about issues such as poverty, war, conflicts which plagued our planet. Open minded and determined students would be a perfect fit at Soka.

  • 3 out of 5 people found this review useful.

    Anon

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Be open to new experiences. Embrace many cultures as they will be thrust upon you at an alarming rate. But do not lose yourself in the culture shock that is bound to oppress you.