Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Reviews

Vanguard University of Southern California

Amanda from Bakersfield, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
In my time at Vanguard, I have learned more than I possibly could have imagined in general education and theatre. They have provided me with multiple opportunities to gain experience and I couldn't have asked for more.
Am enjoying being here
This is the only college I can imagine being at. I feel so welcome and everyone is friendly and there to help. Since it is a small campus the teacher-student relationship is easier and more personal making it easier for them to help and guide you on your journey.
Bang for the buck
Despite the high costs for this college, it is totally worth it. I realize it is hard to afford, especially in this economy, but I can't imagine myself anywhere else. The tuition money is put to good use and definitely comes back around in the long run.
Tips for prospective students
Go to Pre-VU at the end of the school year. It's a day-long event and it sealed the deal for myself. Find students in your major and ask to eat with them one day. Being in their group tells you a lot about the school from their perspective and you don't have to sit through the professor's spiels.
Great for these types of students
Vanguard is great for any type of student. It is a smaller campus and is very close-knit so if you like large bodies of people this probably isn't the place for you. Otherwise I suggest looking at the list of majors online and seeing if they have what you're interested in.

Andrea from Mission Viejo, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The student to teacher ration has allowed me to learn more on subjects that I am not interested in. The teachers are engaged in your life to the extent you want them to be, and are always open to help you out in your spiritual walk or in regular classes.
Tips for prospective students
Take advantage of the small class sizes and the teacher's office hours. It could help you a lot in your classes you are struggling in. Be open to the people around you, these could be your friends for a lifetime.
Academic Rigor
The teachers really want to see their students succeed.
Dorm Life
By keeping the door open for most of the time, you would be surprised by the amount of people you will meet. The space in each room is sufficient especially for three girls per room.
Food and Dining
I am a picky eater, so the food is not as high quality as most cafeteria food. Most of their food is delicious and people still gain those Freshman 15, so healthy eating is always a necessity.
What to do for fun
Newport, Balboa, Huntington, and Laguna Beach are all nearby and it is always a blast to spend the day at the beach and the stores around them. Irvine Spectrum and Fashion Island are also close by for shopping and recreation. Bike riding and exercising are also options that many people love to take up on.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
On finals week, we play a game called Zombies vs. Humans. With nerf guns or rolled up socks, the zombies are trying to kill everyone and it releases the stress from finals week and allows you to become close to many people you have not talked to.

Kaitlyn from Castaic, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a great school and the teachers are just amazing! They are willing to work with you. And the environment is wonderful.
Tips for prospective students
Get you know you teachers. Don't be late to class. and study for all exams, no matter how small they might be.
Academic Rigor
Some classes are harder than others, but take them all seriously. in the end you will use all the information, no matter how small.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is fun! the RA and the RD really want to know who you are, and all the RA for freshmen are required to know you by name. it makes you feel just like home.
Food and Dining
The Caf is good, some of the salad looks funky some times but other than that, the grill is always open and the soups are amazing!
What to do for fun
You can hang around under the trees, go to the beach that is 2 miles away or go to Disney Land that is 20 min drive. there is always someting to do for fun.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
First term there is whoo fest. all the boys on campus try to whoo the girls for a week. it is a blast! and then there is GYRAD, get your roommate a date Both guys and girls dorms have that. also a fun time.
Great for these types of students
For the students that study hard but have a fun side. willing to stand on stage and dance but knows when it is time to study
Clubs and Activities
I am in the music department as well, and it is a whole another connection, it is open for every one no matter what level, a semi pro or just starting out.
Greek Life
None
Campus Safety
One of the safest schools out there. Campus safety is always around, willing to help you with anything,Jump starting your car to walking you back to your dorm if you feel unsafe. Not only that but the Fire department and the police department are right next to the school as well

Cristina De La Cerda from Lancaster, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
vanguard university is one of the finest i have ever been to, about this university is a christian friendly community, it has brought me so many to opportunities to study and attend here.
Tips for prospective students
professors, advisor's and the whole faculty from the vanguard university expects students to give their all, their best, in any subject or in aspect during their college years, professors want to see that students have the potential and expect the best of you.
Academic Rigor
their academic rigor is highly strict in this area because of the fact that if a student from vanguard university does not do well in a semester, he or she will placed on academic probation or will not be able to attend vanguard anymore and will receive a letter from the d.a notifying that there will only be one chance to bring up their grades if so, then they could come back for another semester and have to do well.
Dorm Life
the dorm life can be so much fun when it comes to having select your friends who you want to room with, but there are rules about not having alcohol, no drug use inside the dorms and also quiet hours because most students are either sleeping, studying for a test or doing homework and if those rules are broken there will be a fine, suspension, or may be expelled from the university.
Food and Dining
the food is great sometime not all the time, but it is healthy.
cafeteria food is really not bad at all and most of the time what they serve is healthy such as, salads, vegan burgers, and other foods that are from foreign countries which is probably good to try out other food from different countries.
What to do for fun
head to the beach, the mall, the movies, restaurants there are so many places to have fun at with your friends.
Clubs and Activities
there are so many clubs that anyone could join in. such as, playing sports, joining clubs that are fit for your major, mission trips is one of the biggest one in our campus because the mission trip director and the assistants join together to plan meetings for example; when are where there students may be going on a particular part of the country.
Campus Safety
campus safety is great for vanguard university, security takes anything seriously, they observe what is happening on campus from day to night the security is all over the place right on campus especially when you need something that it is urgent they are there to help you. plus right next to vanguard there is a police station and the fire station so whenever we need help, they are there to help us.

Monet from Mission Viejo, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Learning more about independence.
Am enjoying being here
The academics, teachers, and students are wonderful to be around.
Tips for prospective students
This is a school where you can get grounded in your faith.
Great for these types of students
Great for anyone in the Christian faith or interested in the Christian faith.

Caitlyn :) from Temecula Ca

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Your story matters. My story matters. Our story matters.
Tips for prospective students
Take advantage of everything that goes on on campus! Even if you're a commuter! There are so many opportunities to get together with other students, and everyone is always so nice and outgoing. Making friends is a breeze!

And study. Studying is good.

And be careful with your flex money. Its wayyy to easy to spend.
Academic Rigor
I absolutely love the faculty at Vanguard. The professors are great at their job and because of that, they push you to be great also. Don't come to Vanguard thinking you're going to spend all your time at Disneyland, and none of your time on your schoolwork. You definitely gotta put in the work to keep those grades up!
Dorm Life
The dorms are what they are. With that said, I absolutely love living on campus. You're always surrounded by your friends and people who are in the exact same place as you.
Food and Dining
The Caf.

Some people love it, some people eat it cause they don't have any money to go off campus.
What to do for fun
The beach, Disneyland, chillin with the buds, also, Boba's a pretty popular thing.
Campus Safety
Campus safety. What a fun time.
They do a good job at patrolling the campus. And handing out parking tickets.

I do feel safe though!

ashley from madera, ca

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Tips for prospective students
take advantage of the community. get to know your professors as well as other students. be prepared to get pushed out of your comfort zone. remember, your story matters.
Academic Rigor
this depends on your professor. my classes are not hard; they are just a lot of work. i took a 400 level english class which was definitely challenging, but not impossible. your professors want to work with you and help you.
Dorm Life
so great! freshman year is definitely the most fun year in the dorms. there are numerous fun events and activities planned constantly. the people on your floor become your family. the freshman dorms themselves have no ac and are very cramped for three roommates. the sophomore girls dorms are huge and the newest buildings on campus. however, the plumbing stinks. there are not as many activities in this building and you have to be more extroverted in order to meet new people here.
Food and Dining
i live off the salad bar, usually the hot food disappoints. breakfast is the best meal of the day by far. on the weekends, they serve leftovers and its really sad. they just built a new cofffeeshop on campus which is like starbucks but better and cheaper.
What to do for fun
south coast plaza, newport beach, bonfires at balboa beach, fashion island, ikea, the lost bean, banzai bowl, $5 dollar movies at triangle square, tewinkle park, swing dancing, disneyland, the lab, the camp,
Great for these types of students
students who want to get to know others and grow in their relationship with god.
Greek Life
none
Campus Safety
i feel one hundred percent safe at all times on this campus. i've seen campus safety handle a number of incidents with competency.

Alicia from Sacramento, CA

researching this school
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I visited Vanguard on one of their Pre-VU programs, and the experience definitely influenced my thoughts on the school. At first I was uncomfortable because I am very shy, but by the end of the program I was really impressed by the students, teachers and the whole experience.
Tips for prospective students
Go to Pre-VU!
Academic Rigor
From the looks of it the classes they offer look like they will involve some work, but should not be too stressful.
Dorm Life
The dorms look amazing, and I cannot wait to have that experience. Even though there are a lot of people on each floor, everyone seems to know each other. They even join together once a week for a bible study or prayer session.
Food and Dining
Food is amazing! You can never go wrong with a buffet.
What to do for fun
Disneyland isn't too far away and neither is the beach. They also have a lot to do on campus. Tons of grassy areas, and places to just hang out.
Campus Safety
A student told me that if you are up late working on a project or assignment in a classroom or lab the security guards will personally escort you back to your dorm.

Leigha from Trabuco Canoyon, CA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Vanguard has a great bunch of teachers. Most teachers will put in the extra time to help a student when they're in need or even work around rough schedules. I have learned a lot more academically and about the Christian history that I thought I would never learn.
Am enjoying being here
Vanguard is one of those schools that there is always some kind of activity going on that anybody can join in on. On top of the school activities, its located in one of the best places in Southern California. It's a great place to be.
Bang for the buck
The living quarters for freshman are a little tight and the gym isn't the best looking gym you can find but the school is in a great spot. You are constantly surrounded by great people and there are newer buildings to live in when you finish freshman year.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the college. You never know what you like until you see it. Be part of the day long Pre-VU where you can learn a lot about the school. Apply for financial aid early if you need it.
Great for these types of students
For those who are looking for a great education with a Christian basis, this would be a great school for you.

Anthony from Las Vegas, NV

a current student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The school provides a multitude of knowledge in various areas! Professors also incorporate life lesson, they are not just book teachers.
Am enjoying being here
Great campus, clean, a real community, fun surroundings with a car.
Bang for the buck
Good stuff!
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus, sit in on a class, pray about it.

P.S. It is not a religious school, they are just a community being an example and leading to Christ, they are not trying to force their views on you or make you become religious.
Great for these types of students
Open minded