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Westmont College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

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

  • 11 out of 13 people found this review useful.

    David from Monrovia, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Be prepared for a small, community environment

    Great for these types of students

    Great for kids who don't want a hectic college life, who like a small sized student body and who are ready to work hard, academically.

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Anonymous

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Westmont has a really talented, engaging body of faculty members. They are willing to engage with students and strike a really good balance between sharing their expertise and letting students expand and share their ideas. Of course, a lot of this depends on you, the course, and the professor, but in general I have always been impressed with my faculty's credentials and with their dedication to discussion-based learning and pursuing questions.

    Am enjoying being here

    Westmont's is a very small community, and a lot of people may not enjoy that. The campus is pretty isolated in the hills of Montecito, and, though is it a beautiful area, it can sometimes feel restricting, especially without a car. There are a lot of great people here, though, and Westmont's community can be a lot of fun.

    Bang for the buck

    Westmont is very expensive. There are many things that seem too expensive, especially the meal plan and room and board. The food is pretty good for dorm food and the dorms are really nice.

    Tips for prospective students

    Try to engage with the faculty. Know that even though this is a Christian school there are people who are rebelling against their parents conservative values. There are a range of values, so be ready for that. Take advantage of off-campus opportunities! Make friends who have cars.

    Great for these types of students

    Christian looking for community
    People excited about off-campus programs

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Kalina from San Marcos, CA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    I love that it has a great psychology program, but I was disappointed to find that they didn't have any grad programs.

    Will enjoy being here

    I love the location, I just wish they had a football team.

    Bang for the buck

    Great Scholarships!

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Dalila from Moreno Valley, CA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    This is the kind of school that can only be dreamed of. From the great academics, to the incredible campus any student with a passion for Christ and a will to experience the best four years of their life will fall head over heels in love.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Megan from Santa Rosa Valley, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    westmont is a strong community of people. the college allows you to study and share your faith with people who want to focus on interests just like you. the personal relationships you create with faculty and sudents are unique and motivate you to strive and become stronger in your faith.

    Tips for prospective students

    westmont is small space of learning and community. if you are looking for personal unique relationships with people who want to motivate and push you, westmont is a great place.

    Academic Rigor

    westmont academics are challenging, but you get a wonderful education that allows you to think and live critically.

    Dorm Life

    the dorms are nice but they're not hotel rooms. you have to dress them up and make them you. it is your place, so make it a comfortable place to study or hang out. the ras are always planning fun events and study breaks for students. this is a great way to meet new people and take a break if you've been studying for a long time.

    Food and Dining

    the dining commons is not amazing. it is cafeteria food, but there are days when they have good food. the study is open in the evenings and the food there is always great!

    What to do for fun

    because westmont is in santa barbara there is always something fun to do. go to the beach, hike, ride bikes, go to the zoo, shop on state street, surf, kayak...you name it you can do it.

    Bang for the buck

    it is expensive but they give a lot of scholarships and aide.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    christmas at westmont is magical. the pickle tree lighting is a big tradition.
    spring sing is also a tradition where the dorms compete against each other in a musical.

    Great for these types of students

    motivated, hardworking, christian, determined

    Clubs and Activities

    many clubs and off campus programs to get involved in.

    Greek Life

    none

    Campus Safety

    very safe, sometimes too safe.

  • Kaitlin from Santa Barbara, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    I love my school. It think it is a great school for any student of any age to attend.

    Tips for prospective students

    I would bring lots of warm clothing because it gets cold at night. Make sure you study hard the first semester; many freshmen lag off first semester and their grades are horrible.

    What to do for fun

    I love to go to the zoo, the Santa Barbara mission, sit on the beach, walk around downtown, or enjoy a frozen yogurt at Yogurtland.

  • Emmalee from Brea, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    westmont is a tight-knit community. it's challenging, stretching, thought-provoking. this college is my second home.

    Tips for prospective students

    don't be meek or shy when you visit! we love having visitors :) also, if it weren't for generous donors, tuition would cost at least $20,000 more than it does already. so you're getting a fantastic deal for the price.

    Academic Rigor

    the ge classes i've taken so far are surprisingly high reading- and work-intensive, but it ensures that if i do my work as i should, i thoroughly know the material in time for any tests or exams. my major-specific classes (music) are very comprehensive and gradual, but continually challenging and entertaining. the professors are top-notch and well-qualified.

    Dorm Life

    i would give five stars if my dorm actually adhered to the quiet hours rule, starting at 11 pm every night. instead, some people enjoy hailing their friends down the hall with a loud shout at midnight or later. but the living experience with the ras is quite enjoyable.

    Food and Dining

    we seem to get very high-quality food whenever visitors or prospective students come, but other than that it's hit-or-miss. there are always choices other than hot meals, such as a salad or sandwich bar, as well as cereal, waffle makers, fresh fruit, and desserts. a wide variety meets most everyone's needs.

    What to do for fun

    go to the beach, shop on state street, take a hike on or off-campus, exercise in the fitness center, play ultimate frisbee, go to a meal with friends, sunbathe (even in february), visit the mission, walk on the pier, ride the carousel in town, skype your next-door neighbors, host/attend impromptu dances on a friday night, play a sport, take lessons for voice or an instrument, attend a free concert at the granada courtesy of westmont in the arts (wita), attend various lectures happening every week on campus... the list goes on. never a dull moment!

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    right next to our track field we have our keck telescope, which is one of the most powerful telescopes on the west coast.
    each year there is a school-wide performance at the santa barbara bowl, called spring sing. it's a showcase of all the students' talents put together and pitted against one another, split up by dorm and gender.

    Great for these types of students

    students who: love getting to know their professors and classmates; are [sometimes-sheltered] christians; enjoy a challenge; enjoy a residential school (rather than commuter); and those of you who want to have an equal parts exciting, stressful, and worthwhile experience.

    Clubs and Activities

    there's a harry potter club (dumbledore's army), a zumba club, black student union, volunteer work opportunities, et cetera. a club fair is held each fall on the main lawn to inform students of the many options.

    Greek Life

    what greek life? my ra is greek orthodox, does that count?

    Campus Safety

    we use our id cards to get into our dorms, which can be a bit frustrating if you lose yours but that makes you remember to keep your id (and keys) on you. even though it's an open campus, the paths are lighted and sound echoes on the hill/mountain, so if anything threatening happens a scream can alert people nearby. but that's never happened :)