Westfield State University
Westfield, MA, USA

Reviews

Westfield State University

Kelsey from Templeton, MA

a current student here
11 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are challenging and interesting. I do not feel over-whelmed at all. The classes in my major (Criminal Justice) are the most interesting. They are so fun to attend that it makes learing easy!
Am enjoying being here
My dorm is very active. The building is clean and updated. My roommate and I are getting along well. There is so much to do on campus that you are always busy. Definitely put in your feedback if the activities are not your style! The campus offers a lot and is well kept.
Bang for the buck
At WSC the education value was just rated number 1, ahead of Harvard for the college that offers a great education for the best value! After I graduate I will have very little to re-pay and will not be in debt for years.
Tips for prospective students
Check out the campus and the professors in your major. WSC offers a lot of meet and greets for prospective students so take advantage of them!
Great for these types of students
There is something for every type of student. They have great facilities and offer great majors. There is all types of student living from quiet dorms to noisy dorms. There is a fit for everyone.

Blessing from Springfield, MA

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am a transfer student and coming from another school I can definitely say I am learning alot. All of my teachers are experts in their topic and professional in how they handle the class. I believe this makes the class atmosphere very effective.
Am enjoying being here
There are alot of activities going on at WSU, which I was surprised by at first. But there really is alot of activities to immerse yourself in as long as you put in the effort to do so.
Bang for the buck
The education, the campus, and the town of Westfield and everything it has to offer is well worth going to. There's also alot of support provided by tutors, academic advisers, and other programs. You'll have fun!
Tips for prospective students
Make use of all the opportunities available. And please don't be shy. You can make some great friends here.
Great for these types of students
If you like a small school and smaller class sizes you are in the right place. WSU also has plenty of chances for you to be a leader.

Lindsay from South Windsor, CT

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Westfield State University offers a large variety of Major and Minor programs at a reasonable price. The school is excellent in its retention of students for both of those reasons, as well as a positive campus environment. The school also works closely with the town of Westfield, particularly with volunteer services, to allow students to feel as at home as possible.
Tips for prospective students
It's a good idea to bring rainboots with you to school because the shape of the campus landscape makes quite a few puddles. It can get quite hot in the underclassmen dorms, so bring a good fan too. Always make sure you are prepared in advance for class registration. Check to see how professors are rated before signing up for their classes. Try to avoid taking classes that aren't related to your major. If you really want to take the class, save it for senior year.
Academic Rigor
It's certainly not going to be up to code with Ivy League schools, but the academic rigor is most certainly appropriate for the price, if not better. Naturally, the difficulty of the course will depend on the professor, but it's best not to underestimate them. Nearly all exams require studying, and reading the assigned texts thoroughly is essential for classroom success. Students are also expected to participate in class discussions, so we also need to come with questions and comments about assignments. All professors have different policies when it comes to late work, make-up work, class attendance, etc.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is very satisfactory at Westfield. Sometimes, freshmen will be assigned to a forced triple, but the school is currently working to rectify that so fewer students will live in these triples. For the most part, dorms are fairly quiet, with the exception of those typical off-the-wall students. Any problems within the dorm can be addressed by the RA, who always lives very nearby. The restrooms are always functional and are cleaned daily. All the dorms also have study areas, kitchen(s), a laundry area, and vending machines.
Food and Dining
The food is provided by the company Sodexoâ?¢, which provides dining services to schools and other institutions throughout the world. There is always a variety of options at the Dining Commons, including options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Pizza, pasta, salad, ice cream, and sandwiches are always available. The dining commons also takes suggestions and hosts theme dinners as well as Pancakes With the President, which is a popular event. Sodexo also provides each student who has a meal plan with 150 Sodexo bucks per semester. These can be used as real money at any of the campus food vendors, including Jazzman's, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, The Grill, Quixote's, and Pandini's.
What to do for fun
A hike in the park across the street from campus is perfect for dates or exploring with friends. It has a river, a playscape, duck ponds, a frog pond, soccer fields, a basketball court, tennis courts, a flower garden, and plenty of trails. You can also go to campus events which occur almost nightly. Some events are held by clubs, and others by the school itself. You can also visit Northampton, for clubs and shopping, as well as visit the Holyoke Mall, or go see a movie at the theater in West Springfield.
Bang for the buck
Although Westfield does not have any unusual traditions or locations, we are well known for being inhabited by black squirrels along with the typical grey squirrels. Some students even believe the black squirrel should be the University mascot because they are unique to the town of Westfield.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Westfield is great for students looking for a quality education at an affordable price. Westfield is also great for students who are unsure about their path in life because they are very helpful in assisting students with finding their desired career. Westfield is also ideal for students looking for a school in a suburban environment and technology accessibility, as the entirety of the campus has available WiFi.
Great for these types of students
There is wide range of different clubs at Westfield and it's very easy to get involved. Simply writing your name and email address on a piece of paper is enough to get information about club meetings and activities. It is also very simple to start a new club so that the club can be recognized by the university and also collaborate with the student government for funding.
Clubs and Activities
Westfield has one of the most highly rated Campus security programs in the country. It is staffed primarily by the City of Westfield's Police officers, as well as general campus security guards, residential building security policies, and student security. All residential buildings require magnetized Tek Keys in order to be entered, as well as dorm restrooms. Westfield State University also utilizes the popular Bluelight system for fast response.
Campus Safety
Wesfield is known for having one of the highest-rated campus security programs in the country. Campus Safety is staffed primarily by the city of Westfield's police officers, as well as campus security guards, student security, and EMT's. All residential buildings and dorm bathrooms require a special magnetized Tek Key in order to be entered. Residential buildings also have security policies in place to limit who is permitted to enter the building at certain times. The campus also utilizes the popular Bluelight System for fast response.

Ariana from Medford, MA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
As a freshman you need to take all of your general education requirements, even though they might not be as interesting depending on your interests you still learn a lot! The class sizes are great, I do not have one class with more the 25 students and each one of my classes are lecture style. If you show up to your class, pay attention, and do your studying you definitely will learn a lot.
Am enjoying being here
I am definitely enjoying being a student at WSU. The best advice I can give is to get involved. It is so much easier to meet people and it makes you feel a part of the school. I also love walking around campus and seeing the majority of students in WSU gear, its a small thing but it shows school spirit!
Bang for the buck
WSU is the most inexpensive school I applied to and at this school the personal attention and respect you get is definitely worth it, I feel at safe, comfortable, and at home here and I couldn't ask for anything more. This school is definitely a good bargain in comparison to some other schools in the state and surrounding area.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! Talk to people, and get to know your RA he/she can be very helpful and if you have a good relationship with them they can lead you in the right direction with any questions or concerns you may have.
Great for these types of students
People who like a small, convenient campus that isn't in the city. Also for people who need smaller class sizes and for people who don't want to be just a number.

Manuel from Springfield, MA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Very welcoming to all new students, should be able to call this place a new home and be proud of it. Has a major for almost every type of prospect students may be looking for. Always some type of aid or service to help students succeed in their academic hopes and dreams.
Tips for prospective students
It's a wonderful school that's also fairly cheap to go to. Always a plus when graduating and looking for your career.
Academic Rigor
Can be very tedious, however so long as one applies themselves, academics should be no issue for the everyday student here at Westfield State.
Dorm Life
I'm not currently a dormer, however you are allowed to have guests stay over if you do. So i have stayed on campus plenty of times, and i can personally say campus life here is outstanding. Not the cheapest around but it's definitely a great experience.
Food and Dining
The food services are great. There is a subway and a dunkin donuts on the campus, as well as two other amazing food services known as Pandinis which specializes in sandwich and pizza, and also The Perch, which specializes in comfort foods like chicken tenders and fries, grilled cheeses, etc. And the dining commons has a nice assortment of foods that it offers as well.
What to do for fun
Hangout with friends, generally just walk around and you can always find something fun to do around the campus. There's something for everybody
Bang for the buck
I believe you definitely get what you pay for, i would certainly be fine with paying the tuition here for everything I'm receiving in return for it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Only been here for a year so far and the list is just as long as the list of activities and clubs.
Great for these types of students
Every type of student around.
Clubs and Activities
Literally if i sat here and listed them, i would write a book, there is something for everybody here, and if there isn't they allow you to start up what you want.
Campus Safety
They are generally always on top of students making sure we are doing the right things.

Amanda

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Westfield is a great sized campus with a wide variety of majors and programs. There is always something to do on campus so you won't be bored in between everything else going on. The other students are really fun to be around and really nice.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure to look up your professors to see what you're getting yourself in to with certain courses. Don't be afraid to just talk to someone, everyone is friendly. Get involved with clubs and activities as soon as possible.
Academic Rigor
I am an art major so my workload is different than that of a lot of typical students, but I do not feel overwhelmed at all by my amount of work. I am in three academic Common Core classes and two art classes, which makes balancing the workload perfect. Time management really is key when it comes to academics; if you get your work done efficiently and don't wait until the last minute, you'll be absolutely fine.
Dorm Life
Don't get intimidated by having a random roommate, just spend time trying to get to know them. Also, keeping your door open all the time really helps with meeting new people in the beginning of the semester. Attend all the residence hall meetings and try to go to events that you think would be interesting, it is a great way to get to know people and a lot of the events are really fun and most of the time you get free food....
Food and Dining
A lot of people complain about the food at the Dining Commons, but it really depends on what you get. They have AMAZING healthy options at the simple servings and specialty sections, even if they are a little bit of a wait sometimes. Eating by yourself is totally fine and even sometimes nice to get a break from all the people you are constantly with. Not to mention the other food options like Pandinis are SOOO good.
What to do for fun
The obvious thing is hanging out with friends, whether it is having a cool movie night or just hanging out in someone's dorm listening to music. There are always sports games to go to and a lot of cool games and events hosted by different clubs. Tonight there is a bonfire on the green, which will be a lot of fun to go to. There are a lot of awesome trips like to professional sports events, New York City, and other local places.
Bang for the buck
In state and out of state tuitions really aren't that bad at all, considering the campus and the amount of majors out there. There is always something to do and the people are really cool. It is definitely worth looking into the school.
Great for these types of students
The school is really great for anyone who wants a scenic campus, with all the trees and architectural aspects to the campus.

Kaiya Hill

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Westfield State University is an outstanding college to attend. Although it is a public university, the quality of education and resources is equivalent to, if not better than some of the top private institutions in America. The professors and staff take great pride in their jobs and are willing and eager to get each individual student the opportunities he or she deserves.
Tips for prospective students
If you decide to attend Westfield State, make sure you get involded around campus and the community. The university's primary focus is academics, but it also focuses on making a well rounded student who can flourish in many environments. Get to know your teachers and staff members; they are here to help and many of them know opportunities ( internships, study abroad, jobs) that may suit you best.
Academic Rigor
Most of my courses have been challenging because Westfield State wants to make sure we leave with most if not all that we need to know to Succeed. With that being said, there are many on campus resources such as our Banacos Tutoring Center, that provide one on one help in the subject that you have trouble with. The tutors try their best to work around your schedule so that there will be little to no hassle.
Dorm Life
Residential life, has made a great effort to create a safe and comfortable living environment in all of the buildings. There is even a building designated for those who seek 24- hour quiet living so they can completely focus on their studies. The buildings are generally clean and well kept, as well as handicap accessible.
Food and Dining
The food provided by Sodexo is phenomenal! they have so many selections to choose from and once you enter, you can have as much food as you want. There is even a restaurant, Pandini's that is open later for those who could not grab dinner earlier, or they just want something good to eat late at night. the Cafe is very clean, and you will get speedy service.
What to do for fun
There are a ton of things to do on campus! If you choose to join a club(s) they will be active on campus as well as off campus. There are also surrounding cities such as Springfield, Ma. where there are historic sites, museums, movies theaters, a mall, recreational activities, and more!
Bang for the buck
Westfield State provides stellar education to those who desire to learn for an affordable price! There are so many resources, travel opportunities (study abroad) and even non academic trips and activities that the University provides. Westfield State tries to create an enjoyable, unforgettable experience for all students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Westfield State is Late night pancakes with the President. This is a fun late night activity that allows students to enjoy food and socialize with friends and new individuals. The staff provide this late night breakfast and everyone has a wonderful time.
Great for these types of students
Westfield States has courses, clubs, and jobs, for many students of different interests. There are clubs the promote diversity on and off campus, as well as clubs embracing culture and ethnicity. There are jobs that will look great on your resume based on your major, such as a student security position for a Criminal Justice major.
Clubs and Activities
There is an annual club fair in September for all students to see what is going on around campus. If you like the club that you see there is a quick an easy sign up. Many students join clubs so they can meet and make new friends, or even step out of an evironment that they have previously been used to.
Greek Life
We do not have Greek organizations on campus. However, if you are interested in a sorority or fraternity, there are schools within a close radius of Westfield, such as American International College or University of Massachusetts, Amherst, that will provide that do pledge others
Campus Safety
Westfield State University is a really safe place to reside and learn. It is a smaller school so that allows staff and personnel to become acclimated with students at a more personal level. the campus itself is very open so there are not many, if at all creepy hideouts and corners for one to hide. If a student ever feels uncomfortable walking from one place to another at night, give a call to public safety and they will gladly pick you up and bring you to your destination.

Christina from Springfield, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The faculty and staff are here assist you and are friendly. There are plenty of opportunities and activities to do at Westfield State University. Once you get used to the campus everything is pretty much straightforward.
Tips for prospective students
The one thing that will come in handy is an organizer of some sort. Have a calendar, planner, or even use your smart phone for reminders. Being organized is something that will definitely help you. It�ll help you keep up with your classes and in the end allow yourself to have some free time. If your find yourself struggling in a class, make sure to find help. Use your resources! The professors are more than willing to help their students do well in the course so do not be shy. There are places like the Banacos center which provides tutors for various courses, the reading and writing center, TRiO, and even your classmates that are there to help you. Time management and pacing yourself are two skills that will become your best friend. Procrastinating is an ongoing issue that many experience, so just try keeping it to a minimal. Also, if possible, take advantage of the Urban Ed program that runs for part of the summer. In the long run it�ll help a great deal for when you start your first semester here. You�ll find that you may be ahead of other freshmen.
Academic Rigor
The courses here may vary on difficulty depending on majors, course, or class standing. You may find that one semester may be more difficult than previous ones. Overall classes should balance out so that you have time to yourself and for other extracurricular activities. Classes can include projects like posters, class presentations, or the use PowerPoint. There will definitely be a few days where you may have to conduct a research paper of some sort. One thing that will be useful is knowing the MLA and APA format along with the works cited and reference pages. The great thing is once registration period comes around you�ll be able to choose what times and classes you want to take as long as it goes with your major/minor.
Dorm Life
Dorm life might take some time getting used to. It may be something that you are either extremely comfortable with or find that you are homesick from it. Dorm life has its perks. The RA�s and RD�s are pretty awesome and are always willing to help. They can pretty much answer any question regarding the campus and its activities. For the first week of move in they try their best to make you feel comfortable and to have you meet your fellow neighbors. If you have questions about where a class is, or an even feel free to ask them. Remember they are here to make your stay as warm welcoming as possible, so feel free to bring up ideas or concerns.
Food and Dining
There are so many different choices of where to eat. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner you have a choice of the dining commons, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Quixotes, Pandini�s, and the Perch. The possibilities of meals are endless. There are breakfast sandwiches, coffees, grilled foods, pasta, wings, salads you name it. If you ever get bored with the food here you always have the option of ordering food from Chinese restaurants, pizza parlors, etc. You can also use your owl bucks for most of these places near the Westfield Center. For the dining places on campus the quality is great and the service is nice.
What to do for fun
During your free time there is plenty to do. The campus will have a day where all the clubs have stations and you can go explore each and every one of them. You can sign up for whichever ones you want as long as you make sure that they work around your schedule and you are not overwhelming yourself with too many. There are many activities like concerts, movie nights, pep rallies, bingo, trivia, scavenger hunts, etc. Right across the street is Stanley Park. It�s a great place to gather with friends on any day. There are also many fundraising events that go on at the park like the walk against cancer, Alzheimer�s, and autism. You can even get together with friends and create a team! If you find that you don�t want to join a division sport that may be competitive but still want that experience, you can join an intramural sport which is like a club.

Matthew from Tewksbury, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Westfield State University is an amazing school with so many opportunities. They have several ways to get involved and meet new people from clubs to varsity athletics to intramural sports. This school also has a lot of majors and minors to choose from so students can really find out who they are and who they want to become.
Tips for prospective students
Students who are thinking about coming here should definitely come here with an open mind. Try to get out of your comfort zone and do things that you never even thought about doing. Their are so many opportunites that you need to explore all of them.
Academic Rigor
It is normal that some people struggle with academics whether its math, science, or foreign languages. However, Westfield state University has a very popular tutor Center that many students go to for help editing papers or with their homework no matter what the subject. Also, professors are more than willing to help and have office hours to do so.
Dorm Life
Dorm life was at first very different from having my own room back home. But dorm life is awesome because you have your roommates that are some of your closest friends and also people in other rooms right down the hall who you get to know very well. Your dorm is a place where you can relax and hang out with friends, play video games, and of course study.
Food and Dining
The food is unbelievable. Their are so many choices including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You also don't always have to eat at the dining hall because they have other places to eat on campus including subway and Dunkin Donuts. Also, on your school I.D., you have some money that you can use for off campus restaurants like apple bees and friendly's.
What to do for fun
Their is so many things to do for fun. During the week, their are many clubs and sports you can participate in. On the weekend, a lot of people go see our varsity teams play including football and hockey. Also, once or twice a month, the school has a game night to compete for prizes.

Derek from Palmer, MA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The greatest campus ever being so closely knit and you are not a number to the prophesiers you are a student to them. Great feeling with great students and staff to keep you busy and active from sports to brown bag bingo and Stanley Park right across the street. No better place to get an education.
Tips for prospective students
Apply because the cost is not bad and the process is not difficult, pretty easy. Be yourself and strive for greater and here at Westfield State University is the place to be.
Academic Rigor
The class sizes are small with a student to prophesier is about 17-1.
Dorm Life
Fun and those in the dorms create activities with in to get everyone living in the different dorms together and sometimes get very competitive.
Food and Dining
Great food and very day could mean a new friend or eat alone and get back to work ASAP. Also a variety of food everyday and places to get something to eat.
What to do for fun
Always active either at the gym on campus or at Stanley Park across the street. Hanging with friends.
Bang for the buck
Great education with a low cost.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The world globe made of metal in the middle of the campus green.
Great for these types of students
If you like a small college and being outdoors and a real friendly college don't look no further.
Clubs and Activities
Anything you might want or something you never knew you could do, just get out and try.
Greek Life
lots of places to escape the sound and get your peace and quiet to get your work done with great library.
Campus Safety
Have campus police and Westfield Police is not to far down the road.