Thomas Aquinas College

Date: Jul 26 2006
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I went to a classical high school so this is just a continuation of high school for me. I love that you get to spend class talking about important issues and get to raise questions, but I wish that the admin would do a better job of reassuring you that you can make it in the real world with a Liberal Arts degree. I’m still worried about what exactly I am going to do out of school since I don’t want to teach, be a lawyer, or a nun (I’m not Catholic).

I was worried about the Catholic part, but so far (freshman year) it hasn’t been a problem. Of course, I expected to get into religious topics, and I go to church in Ventura a few times a month. It does get a tad bit uncomfortable every Friday when there is no meat for meals (why fish isn't meat I still don't understand though) or when people keep in telling me to pray to this saint for this or that. What I’m trying to say, nicely, is that people live a very conservative Catholic life there. Just be prepared for faith and religion to play a big part in your daily life. That being said, feel free to go and question and challenge all you want. I have never had someone laugh at my questions or refuse to answer.

It's a small campus, so the good news is that you make alot of friends fast; the bad news is that there is no where to really get off campus if you don't have a car. So if you like being around people, this is good; if you have problems with certain people, you better learn how to deal with those issues because there is no where to go and avoid people. Just be prepared for everyone to know most everything about everyone. You are spending a lot of time with people and getting to know them very well, so romance does happen and drama issues. Just make sure to keep a level head. If you want to go through college unknown and with out any friends, this isn’t the college for you.

Since it is so small and a common curriculum, finals are a good time. I had a Philosophy study group with a few freshmen and a few sophomores and they helped point out things that are really important and give us an idea why this is necessary to know for next year. So it’s nice being able to go up to the commons at 2am and asking a random junior how the Topics fit in with the Analytics.

Food is decent; teachers are wonderful; dances are fantastic; people are friendly and welcoming; just a good college all around. Except for the closest town is Santa Paula, but nothing you can do about that. :)