Thomas Aquinas College (CA) (TAC)

Thomas Aquinas College is a private Catholic university known for its dedication to the Socratic method style of teaching, so much so that the "brilliant, yet down to earth" professors are called tutors. Students appreciate these touches, explaining that "all our lessons, other than the monthly lectures, are in-classroom discussions in which tutors lead with a question and guide the conversation." This also provides much appreciated freedom through which "students can direct the path of learning each day," though "some tutors have a more hands-on style" while others "give the students more of a free rein in discussions." Given the small student-to-faculty ratio tutors are described as "part of the community" and "are always available to talk, whether during meals in our cafeteria or if I need to ask them something in their office. They look out for me if I am struggling in a class and are open to any and all questions I may have." Students describe an environment that challenges them and supports their growth. As one student puts it, "You have to show up every day prepared and ready to engage constructively and kindly with your peers, and that takes some serious discipline."

Overall, the student body is "really friendly and wholesome." Many students are "animated by a definitively Catholic spirit" and are "trying to grow in their faith and relationship with God." Students describe their classmates as "studious and with a strong desire to do good and help others." There is "no label [that] will accurately describe everyone, but for the most part, these are students who care about learning." TAC "has a strong sense of community and mutual support. You can walk into any building on campus and find students helping each other with homework and engaged in conversation." Students form "really deep friendships based on the things that really matter" and describe their peers as "some of the happiest, funniest, and smartest people I've ever known." As one enthusiastic student elaborates, "There are simply too many fantastic people here. I would love to become close friends with everyone but there is simply not enough time! Everyone is very kind, fun and hard-working."

The California campus is located in Santa Paula near the Topatopa mountain range and is within driving distance of Los Angeles. Outdoor recreation is popular, as students enjoy the school's proximity to "extremely beautiful" hiking trails as well as the nearby beaches that are frequent weekend destinations. Many students play intramural sports or join in as spectators to support their classmates. As one student describes it, intramural sports "bring the entire college community together and provide a healthy outlet for energy and stress." There are plenty of activities on campus, including a "lively drama department that does a show each semester," open mic nights, and chess, pool, and videogame tournaments throughout the year. Choir is another popular activity, and there are "many different choirs, some for religious purposes, and some for entertainment." Students note that religion plays a big role on campus, and most students "go to one of the daily Masses."

Students describe off-campus parties-TAC is a dry campus-as "usually pretty lowkey; it's overall not at all a party school." This isn't seen as a loss by attendees; many spend their evenings instead reading for school or for fun, listening to music, baking, or socializing with friends in the dorm. As one student enthuses, "Dorm life is fantastic: people hang out in common areas and stop by for a fun conversation."