Academics
This tiny pearl of a liberal arts school is home to around 1,600 undergrads and focuses on an interdisciplinary education for all. Considering the small population, Whittier offers a relatively good breadth in classes and “is a great school for those who are trying to figure out what they want to do or those who want to create their own major.” One-on-one interaction is quite prevalent among teachers and students, and everyone here is “passionate about the subject that they teach.” It should be unsurprising that a school whose mascot is Johnny Poet provides “a nuanced literary foundation” for all students.
The faculty brings real-world and work experience to their various courses: “they’re not just lifelong academics; most of them have had successful professional careers outside of teaching” and they “really make [Whittier] worthwhile.” These professors are “engaged, love what they do,” and “truly care about the success of their students, both academically and personally.” Discussions are highly encouraged and interesting debates fostered, and assigned papers “always force you to stretch your knowledge.” Teachers sometimes challenge the class’s knowledge by “presenting a topic that can have pros and cons and by asking to prove where the idea came from.” Classes are small, so professors “know your strengths and weaknesses and try their best to help you out.”
Student Body
This is a “diverse community” that includes a sizable number of non-Californians, and most people are “very friendly, respectful of others’ different identities, and comfortable with people of different backgrounds.” There is “a good meshing” of all the students regardless of what their involvements are, and a real “community-based feeling” abounds. Whittier sees a higher transfer rate than many similar schools, so “it is very easy to know at least ten or more students who transfer after a year or two.” The majority of people here are involved in some form of sport, but are not looking to go beyond the collegiate or intramural level.
Campus Life
The campus is small, so “it’s easy to make friends” and there are typically “lots of events (academic or recreational) to go to.” Different clubs run the gamut from Anime Club to Fun Night Club to a larping group, but marauders beware: “RAs are required to put on events such as Assassins.” “There was once a Beowulf reading at night where you got a free dinner in addition,” says a student. Whittier’s version of Greek life comes in the form of the school’s 11 “societies,” and a majority of students have some form of involvement in a society or a sport. The school’s size naturally leaves enough time to for extracurriculars and outside interests, as “it is difficult not to get involved when everyone is.”
Whitter is relatively close to LA and the beach, so the weather is “mostly very nice” and students often “lounge around outside under trees and on the grass to do homework and socialize,” “play Frisbee, walk on slack lines, and play soccer for fun in the courtyards.” The pool facility is brand new and many “hang out on the decks to tan and cool off in the heat,” and there are hills behind the campus that are good for hiking or running. There “is always something going on on-campus and that makes students even more involved.”
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