Westmont College

Westmont College is a small “Christ-centered” bastion of the liberal arts in sunny Southern California that “provides a phenomenal education” and “a spiritually nurturing environment.” Highlights include small classes, more than 80 majors and pre-professional programs, and a “Mayterm” that affords opportunities to study around the world. There is “a lot of homework,” and “no matter what the class, the professors involve God in some way.” “The administration gets the job done,” and while bad teachers “do exist” here, the “very personable” faculty members “take a genuine interest not only in the academic well-being of their students, but also their personal, relational, and spiritual lives.” Professors are “fun to hang out with,” too. “A group of us regularly watches cheesy old movies at one prof’s house over homemade dinner,” reports a senior. “Westmont feels very sheltered from some of the harsh realities of the outside world. It has an unrealistic cozy feeling to it,” admits a junior. “However, it is also an environment which is especially proficient at fostering educational growth.”

Westmont students are “Christians who want to help the world be a better place.” Most grew up “surrounded by church and church members for the majority of their lives.” Not everyone is “the sold-out Christian who is seeking God in everything” but just about everyone is “interested in a personal relationship with God.” “There is a remarkable sense of community here.” “The weirdest of us all have people who truly care about them,” asserts one student. Westmonters are “usually healthy-looking” and “genuinely nice.” They are “serving, caring,” and “creative.” “Most are fairly wealthy.” For whatever reason, a whole lot of guys play the guitar. Politically, “the largest on-campus political group is conservative” but there are “enough lefties and righties to keep hot topics hot.” “Missionary kids who have grown up all over the world” add some variety, but many students lament an overall lack of ethnic diversity.

This “beautiful and peaceful” campus boasts “breathtaking views of the mountains and the ocean.” “Dorm life is very communal” and the campus is generally buzzing with intramural sports, theater productions, concerts, and activities galore. “People take advantage of the gorgeous Santa Barbara weather,” too. “Bonfires at the beach” are commonplace and Westmont could well be the Christian surfer capital of the world. Fun is often “very G-rated.” “Drinking happens” but it’s “an underground thing” that occurs off campus, mostly when students “hit up clubs on State Street.” Rules concerning alcohol and much else here are “a little strict.” “You can’t have the door closed” when a person of a different gender is in your room, just for example. Many students call Westmont’s mandatory “tri-weekly chapel” “a blessing.” Others call it “nap time.” Also, “only juniors and seniors can have cars” and Westmont’s grub could improve. “The food is perhaps some of the worst that I have ever eaten (except when I try to cook for myself),” says a freshman.