Westmont College

I was really excited to come to Westmont as a young Christian who wanted to attend a liberal arts college. At first, although I was put off by the proliferation of wealthy cliquish students, 80% of whom are from California, I thought that my experience would improve as I got more comfortable. Instead what I found was that the more that their right-wing, Christian propaganda was pushed in my face, the more I began to develop my own contrary views. At Westmont this is just not acceptable. You are expected to attend chapel (very emotional, hands raised, low-lighting) three times a week, join a Bible study, and live according to the ridiculous student life policies. Seriously, I am not a rebellious person, but I have been in trouble so many time for breaking stupid rules about having doors open with the opposite sex in the room or closed hours (no boys after midnight!). As an adult, I hate being constantly monitored. They train other students, the resident's assistants to be extremely harsh, and constantly narc. Although I know this sounds dramatic, it is basically a big brother situation.

The academics are alright; many of the professors are quality and provide resources for success outside of class time. However, it is often the case that you have to "work the system" or share the professors' beliefs to get the 'A.' As, an English major, this was especially an issue for me, since the work is so subjective. Other than that, the real problem is that there are not enough classes and the choices get pretty slim. For a small major like Art History for instance, things could get kind of tricky... you might have to go to UCSB or Santa Barbara City College to take some classes Westmont doesn't actually offer on a regular basis. In conclusion, Westmont is a close-minded place with a startling lack of diversity. Even though they are nice and smiley at first, its not hard to see that there is no room for thinking outside the box. Most people hear have a thin veneer of cordiality but get easily upset if your background and belief system doesn't line up with their's. Choose Westmont for the proximity to the beach, the Santa Barbara weather, or religious fanaticism, if that's your thing. Otherwise, might I suggest state school?

3rd Year Female -- Class 2011

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: F

I checked friendly and arrogant. How could this be? Well, students and faculty alike are nausiating in their never-ending God-speak. It makes people smarmy and sickenly sweet. But don't let that facade fool you: behind the white smiles are close-minded "Christian-Preppies". The college trips over itself trying to claim itself to be open-minded, but it is not at all. The girls are especially vicious.

4th Year Female -- Class 2004

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Innovation: D