The University of Montana-Western
Dillon, MT, USA

Reviews

The University of Montana-Western

lauren from Rochester, MN

researching this school
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I just know I can learn so much from this school! being a horse lover, that plans on owning horses, horse business, instructing and more this school just seems like a great fit. Not to mention they seem to have a great rodeo team!
Will enjoy being here
Yes mam!
Bang for the buck
Doesn't seem to cost to much!
Tips for prospective students
Look at the whole picture!
Great for these types of students
Students that LOVE horses and want to make a life around them!

amy from Bigfork, MT

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Attending the University of Montana Western has been the best choice iv made. Using the Block system Experience One, has helped me to focus on one class at a time, so i can do the best that i can do.
Am enjoying being here
Its a small university and a small town, iv made some great friends and the Professors are great.
Bang for the buck
its cheaper then some of the other colleges and helps you learn things at a slight faster pase. But also helps your grades
Tips for prospective students
ask professors for help, that's what they are there for. don't close yourself off be brave and make new friends.
Great for these types of students
its a great school where you know almost everyone and can focus on one thing at a time instead of 4 different classes each week.

Carissa from Washougal, WA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This college is great for learning! UMW operates on a block scheduling that they call Experience One. In X1 you go to class 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 18 days, and then you get a four day break and move onto your next class. It's awesome because you get to completely focus on one subject, and not have to worry about other classes to study for. This also means you only have to study for one final at a time! The professors in general are really willing to help, and they're always available during their office hours. The classes are also really small, my biggest class so far has been about 20 people, and my smallest was 9 people. The small class size allows you to get to know the professor and also allows a lot of time for questions and group discussions.
Am enjoying being here
I love being here at Western! Dillon is a great small town, and if you don't need anything like clothes, then Dillon has almost everything you need. Starbucks, Safeway and Subway!! It's a cute town, and everyone in town seems really nice. The campus is nice, even though it's pretty small, but that's really nice when it's COLD outside and you have to walk to class. The dorms are pretty standard, nothing amazing, but nothing horrible either. There are a lot of different clubs you can get involved in, and we have a great Equestrian team, and a great Rodeo team. I'm on the equestrian team, and I'm having SO much fun! I'm learning a lot, competing successfully and making great friends.
Bang for the buck
Even though I am an out-of-state student, I got WUE, and going to UMW is cheaper than going to a school here in Washington! I am learning so much and having a great time at this school, so it's definitely worth the money (which isn't much, especially for Montana residents!).
Tips for prospective students
Be ready to jump head first into classes! Because the classes only last 18 days you have to be prepared to work hard, but for the most part, the classes don't take over your life or anything like that.

Get involved! Dillon can be a little boring if you have nothing to do. There's a bunch of clubs, and a YMCA in town that you can be a member of.
Great for these types of students
Students that love class discussions, like small towns, and love horses! The Rodeo and Equestrian teams are both really competitive and a lot of fun. What's great about the Equestrian team is that you don't even have to have your own horse in Dillon. There's also a lot of places to go fishing and hunting.

Amanda from Belt, MT

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The teachers are wonderful, and really make you think deeper than normal.
Am enjoying being here
It is a beautiful campus in a beautiful setting.
Bang for the buck
It is cheaper than the two main colleges in Montana.
Tips for prospective students
Take advantage of LACE. They will help you study for tests, read your papers, and give you tips for your classes.
Great for these types of students
It helps to be outgoing and talkative. With Experience One, you will be in groups and your teacher will act as a facilitator instead of a dictator.

Nicole from Salmon, ID

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Absolutely! The block scheduling makes it so you only have to focus on one class at a time, which is great for when you get to the class, or classes, you struggle in!:)
Will enjoy being here
I grew up in a small town so I have never like big cities! Dillon is small but bigger than my home town which is perfect for me! It's the perfect size to make lots of new friends and not be overwhelmed as a freshman with too many people.
Bang for the buck
What's great about Dillon is even if you're an out of state student it still isn't very expensive, especially if you can apply for WUE scholarships and such, and the block scheduling is designed to help you learn as much as possible while getting good grades at the same time!
Tips for prospective students
Dillon is a great school! They have a lot of opportunities especially if your life revolves around the horses you grew up with and raised like mine does! Just make sure you do your homework! Look at everything! Make visits and really make sure this is the right college for you as with any college you look at! It helps in smaller communities and schools to be more out going and friendly as well!:)
Great for these types of students
Great for people who like I said lives revolve around their horses and that isn't going to change!:)

Laykin from Deer Lodge, MT

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Montana-Western is an amazing school. If you enjoy focusing on one class at a time this is the university for you. I highly suggest looking into this university. The classes are small, you can get to know the professors and your classmates quickly.
Tips for prospective students
If you enjoy focusing on one class at a time, I highly suggest looking into the University of Montana-Western. You have quite a bit of homework some nights, however it is only one subject you are focusing on at a time.
Academic Rigor
Going to this school is a great idea. If you are not sure what you want your major to be, there are plenty of people willing to help you out. This is a small university, however there are enough people to help you know exactly what is going on. There are plenty of classes offered every block, it is worth looking into.
Dorm Life
The dorm life is fun. Students get together and you can make friends quickly. There are activities going on every week which are nice. For Valentine's day you are able to make cookies and decorate them. There are movie nights every Tuesday, which only cost two dollars at the theater in town.
Food and Dining
The food is not quite home cooked food, however it is good. They have two choices of dinner every night, soup, a salad bar, a sandwich bar, and a burger bar. You just swipe your student ID card and you are able to go eat whatever you want. The best part about the dining hall, is they have a soft serve ice cream machine. Which you can go to at any point in the day!
What to do for fun
There are not to many fun things to do around Dillon, unless you are into the country. If you are looking for fun things to do around campus you. The groups put on activities many times during the week.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
On campus there are a few stores you can go to. We have the Bark-n-Bite which is just a store to buy food and snacks throughout the day. There is also the campus book store. The cup is located under the library, which is an amazing coffee shop. There use to be a Stageline pizza, however they moved into town a little bit. There are plenty of quite places to study do homework, or just hang out with friends.
Campus Safety
Campus is very safe. You are able to walk around it is quite. There are plenty of parking lots. The dorms get locked at eleven at night.

Amie from Dillon, MT

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Montana-Western is an exciting and memorable place to attend college. It has some of the most gorgeous scenery in western Montana. UMW is the place to go for higher education!
Tips for prospective students
Schedule a trip to Dillon, look around the campus, talk to students or faculty, examine the dorms, eat at the cafeteria, and find that elusive Post Office!
Academic Rigor
While you may think that having only one class a day is a breeze, keep in mind that you're learning an entire year's worth of information in 18 days! Though I have to admit some classes do seem to be extremely easy.
Dorm Life
Expect the unexpected; and don't be afraid to tell your roommate to turn off the light, their music, or just to generally shut up.
Food and Dining
It will never be as good as a home-cooked meal, but it is definately better than a high-school cafeteria! Also PizzaHut is your friend, and always tip the delivery guy!
What to do for fun
There are many things to do at UMW, the fair grounds are host to many rodeos, fairs, and concerts. The Met offers a more bar/ night club setting for those of you old enough to drink! Also our neighboring cities of Butte, Bannack, and Virginia City also offer a more metropolitan (in the case of Butte), and historical environment to visit. There is also a Hotsprings very near by that you can relax and enjoy!
Bang for the buck
Personally I feel that there is no better place to attend college than UMW, as you find that every teacher will go out of their way to help you understand the course. This level of commitment is something hard to obtain in a bigger more prestigious school like Yale or Harvard.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
For anyone looking for a good ghost story behind their campus, you've come to the right place at UMW! As the fourth floor of Main Hall is haunted by the ghost of a little girl hit by a car on her way to piano lessons on the fourth floor of Main Hall.
Great for these types of students
UMW is a college that is especially suited towards, a small town attitude. This is a place where taking a walk at 3 a.m is most likely only going to get you in trouble with Campus Security, not get you kidnapped by some creep. It is especially suited towards students who have a hard time focusing on six or seven subjects at a time, as UMW students take only one class at a time 3 hours a day 5 days a week for 18 days! Go block scheduling!
Clubs and Activities
There are so many clubs, sports, and activities here you won't be able to pick just one! For all you spook-lovers, UMW has its own Paranormal Investigation club called UMW PI!
Greek Life
So far I haven't seen anyone running around in a toga, but I've only been here a few months so it may still happen. Fingers crossed it doesn't though, well unless I've got a camera with me!
Campus Safety
Don't be surprised if you see Campus Security walking around even during the day; and try to brighten their day with a quick hello and a bright, cheery smile!

Kameo from saguache, CO

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
small campus and small class sizes make it easy to get to know a lot of people.
the block system is amazing you only have to study one class at a time for 18 days.
the clubs are fun and easy to get into.
Tips for prospective students
make sure that you live your first year on campus it is the easiest way to meet people.
Academic Rigor
you have a class for only 18 days don't ever miss a day and always study hard.
Dorm Life
there are many activities that the dorm has around a week. also if you are fortunate enough you can get a suite that is two rooms.
Food and Dining
the food usually sucks, like most cafeterias the difference here is that the cooks know and recognize you.
What to do for fun
the metlen is a hotel/bar that everyone attends every weekend and wednesday there is swing dancing, and pool tables, but everyone just goes to dance.
Bang for the buck
yes!! it is extremely affordable,
Great for these types of students
cowboys, people wanting to live in a small town. people that concentrate on one thing better than many hence the block system.future teachers, this school is the best teaching school in montana.
Clubs and Activities
there are clubs for almost everything and for putting on activities for all types of people.
Campus Safety
there is always a security guard in one of the dorms and there is safety phones everywhere.