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West Valley College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

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

  • Bradley from Campbell, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Teachers are either awesome or terrible. There is no middle ground. Beautiful campus.
    Tips for prospective students

    Most classes are taught by several teachers. Research them before choosing your class, and plan your schedule around the quality of the teachers even if it means driving to class twice in one day.
    Academic Rigor

    It really depends on the class. Some are easy. Others are very, very challenging.
    Dorm Life

    I'm pretty sure they don't have dorms. I could be mistaken.
    Food and Dining

    They have a coffee shop with organic coffee and a shop that sells sandwiches and packaged sushi.
    What to do for fun

    There's a movie theater down the road.
    Campus Safety

    The only dangerous thing here are the construction zones that migrate from one side of the college to the other and back. So long as you're not incompetent enough to go meandering through them, you should be fine.

  • Andrea from San Jose, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    This is an excellent place to finish your general education requirements if you hope to transfer (you might even be able to get an AA degree if you plan accordingly!) There is no doubt that their social science division is incredibly strong, as its teachers are deeply passionate about their subjects and, most importantly, their craft of teaching!
    Tips for prospective students

    Be smart when seeing a counselor! If you go in without knowing who to see, you'll be appointed someone at random (and this will always be the case, unless you specifically ask for this person!) Definitely, definitely find a good counselor who listens to you and you feel they know what they're doing and STICK TO THEM.
    Academic Rigor

    If your GPA is good enough, definitely apply for their honors program. This is something I really wish I would have done, and yet I am satisfied with the quality of the education I've received, but the honors program is well known for being intensive, demanding, and really, really pushing for excellence.
    Dorm Life

    No dorm life since it's a community college, but there are rooms for rent in the area constantly. Still, they can be fairly expensive ($600 is the cheapest I've seen)
    Food and Dining

    The campus center was recently finished and it looks amazing. The food in the cafeteria is pretty good and not too costly. There are two DRIP cafes (one in the campus center, the other in the library) which are really cool. The baristas are so nice!
    What to do for fun

    Welp, downtown Saratoga is down the street and there are a few cafes that are pretty nice (Big Basin is nice and Blue Rock has Jazz nights, open mic nights, and events like that) Still, Saratoga is, all in all, a pretty quiet town. If you're looking for more things to do (art galleries, art walks, movies, concerts, film festivals, etc) I really recommend going to downtown San Jose.
    Bang for the buck

    Unit costs are rising because of the state budget cuts, so regrettably, it seems like classes are getting more expensive every year. A lot of people do receive financial aid, though, so there's that.
    Great for these types of students

    Laid-back folks who have a busy work life. Also for students looking to finish their general ed, and those who know they want to pursue a college education but don't know what to study yet.

  • Brad from San Jose, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    West Valley College is a great place to earn your 60 units, in a cheap and efficient way. The teachers really care about there students. The campus is really pretty, it's surrounded by wild life.
    Tips for prospective students

    Once you have started the semester stay on top of your homework and studying.
    Dorm Life

    There are no dorms here
    Food and Dining

    They have togo's and starbucks at the cafeteria.
    What to do for fun

    Take classes that interest you.
    Bang for the buck

    It's a great place and affordable. A lot of the teachers at West Valley College really want to help the students.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    none
    Great for these types of students

    It's a great school for either part time or full time students. It's also great for older people wanting to earn their degree.
    Clubs and Activities

    There's a lot of clubs and activities to do for any type of student.
    Greek Life

    It's a Junior college
    Campus Safety

    In five years I have never felt threatened.

  • Troy from Campbell, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Small school. Lots of tress. Lots of Doctorates on staff
    Tips for prospective students

    Just apply. Use ratemyprofessor.com
    Academic Rigor

    Some really hard classes, some really easy ones
    Dorm Life

    None
    Food and Dining

    Not the best. But also have some really good items
    What to do for fun

    Lots of clubs and activities around campus
    Bang for the buck

    Get financial aid and it'll be worth it
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Many
    Great for these types of students

    All
    Clubs and Activities

    Serveral
    Campus Safety

    Campus police are some what lazy.

  • Diane from San Jose, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    west valley is a healing educational setting in a park like oasis. a definate find for a school. but shhhh keep it quiet. we don't want the secret getting out!
    Tips for prospective students

    stay focused and keep envisioning your goal. don't quit after a semester. keep going back after breaks and don't give up!
    Academic Rigor

    hard work, but petal to the metal and you will have success!
    Food and Dining

    great food on campus!
    What to do for fun

    alot of clubs and activities on campus to join to fit your particular interest.
    Bang for the buck

    the instructors are top notch!
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    very diverse. we celebrate all ethnicities!
    Great for these types of students

    there is a big persian population here so if you speak another language, no fear. you will feel at home with the diverse group of students as well as get support from the esl office.
    Campus Safety

    great security. always feel safe arriving and leaving campus.

  • Kicked out of SJSU

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I was accepted to San Jose State University and then kicked out because I did not make the payment deadline for orientation. I am now in my second year at West Valley and I love it. The teachers are amazing and love what they are doing. All of my classes have been very interesting and I am better learning in smaller classes, which West Valley offers.
    Am enjoying being here

    I enjoy being at West Valley. The campus is beautiful and there are so many people who want to make friends. Teachers are available on their off hours and there are almost always fun activities taking place around campus.
    Bang for the buck

    West Valley offers great prices, 36 dollars for a unit! It really is different from the University prices and is better to me!
    Tips for prospective students

    It is so easy to get classes, cheaper, and the teachers are amazing. I would strongly suggest that you come here to get your General Education requirements out of the way and save some money. I am so glad West Valley was near my house so I could attend here. The classes are easy to get into, the campus is beautiful, and the teachers are amazing. They are willing to help you on their off hours and love teaching. It makes it fun to be at school again.
    Great for these types of students

    It is great for students who don't yet know what University they want to attend and who want to live at home and save some money. West Valley is also great for students who just want to get their GE requirements out of the way for less money.

  • Amanda from San Jose, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Since West Valley has such a supportive and helpful staff, it is very easy for me to learn alot of new things so that I may get my degree faster and easier. It also helps me complete what I couldn't quite understand in high school.
    Am enjoying being here

    I do enjoy being at West Valley. It is quite a car ride to get there, but I do like being here.
    Bang for the buck

    It is alot cheaper than an university. I highly recommend going to West Valley.
    Tips for prospective students

    Stay on top of your work and you will excel in everything you desire.
    Great for these types of students

    Great for full time working students and students that want to get their degree at a more slow pace atmosphere.