Westmont College

I have very mixed feelings about Westmont. It wasn't my first choice for college but when my first choice wasn't really available to me anymore, Westmont became the "perfect" place to be. I was excited and ready to start my college career and was thrilled that I had found a liberal arts college that was Christian as well. I will just start by saying that I left Westmont after one semester.I am a pretty conservative Christian but I do have my opinions that may seem radical yet are completely Biblical. I did experience tension among the two spectrums of Christianity at Wesmont. On one hand you have the very conservative Christians who won't utter a negative word about anything and are immature. On the other hand, are the careless ones who are there for sports or because mommy and daddy are paying for them to be there. There is no middle ground, I felt like no one was real there. The girls are very hard to connect with and the boys...I didn't even make one good guy friend. Diversity was a joke if you were different in any way it went unspoken. Being Mexican and on financial aid was probably like being an untouchable to my roommates (yes I had two, and yes I became the third wheel). I still love Westmont as a place but the social aspect was what really convinced me I needed to get out of there.

Onto the classes: the one religious studies class I took was an absolute waste of my time. We had daily discussions in class that went around in circles and were never monitered by the instructor. Students sat and argued over the dumbest things and used so many Bible verses out of context. The tests were questions regarding the opinions of the authors of our assigned readings. We didn't even read the Bible in Christian Doctrine 101.

My art class really pushed me and taught me so much more but I felt judged so much. I couldn't get my grade any higher than a C+. The art students think they need to be super intellectual and make art with meaning and all that dumb hipster crap, all I wanted was to learn how to do draw for my own enjoyment. The art professors are really great though even though I disagreed with grading so harshly.

I think it's ridiculous how each student is required to take 4 credits of Physical Education.
As far as chapel, you get 12 misses a semester and I used all of mine, almost more since I knew I wouldn't be returning for the Spring Semester, so it's tolerable. Chapel is a really good pick me up if your in the mood but it lacks all spirituality. It becomes a habit and a hub for extra studying time and texting. I was really upset one day and it just happened to be the day they did a mock funeral. So they are trying to change things, I guess... but I just didn't see the point of that especially if someone is having a bad day; but that could've been one of your misses. Westmont is actually a really good school, I just had a really bad experience and agree with most of the negative and "neutral" comments on here. Just make sure it's a place you really want to be and if you try to make friends you most likely will. Don't be discouraged if you don't fit in and want to leave though. People there will make you feel bad and sort of like you are failing but as long as you have a back up plan, LEAVE :)

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Education Quality: D

I just posted yesterday, but let me add one positive program: The San Francisco Urban Program rocks. SF allows students to explore beyond the syrupy Evangelicalism of the main campus. In fact, if one was so inclined, one could go out into the city and go nuts.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Westmont was a great school. With my grades, I could have gone anywhere, but I've never regretted my decision. Westmont is completely unique-Christian AND intellectual. You will not be disappointed.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000