火爆社区

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 鈥渋s 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.鈥� One-on-one interaction is quite prevalent among teachers and students, and everyone here is 鈥減assionate about the subject that they teach.鈥� It should be unsurprising that a school whose mascot is Johnny Poet provides 鈥渁 nuanced literary foundation鈥� for all students. The faculty brings real-world and work experience to their various courses: 鈥渢hey鈥檙e not just lifelong academics; most of them have had successful professional careers outside of teaching鈥� and they 鈥渞eally make [Whittier] worthwhile.鈥� These professors are 鈥渆ngaged, love what they do,鈥� and 鈥渢ruly care about the success of their students, both academically and personally.鈥� Discussions are highly encouraged and interesting debates fostered, and assigned papers 鈥渁lways force you to stretch your knowledge.鈥� Teachers sometimes challenge the class鈥檚 knowledge by 鈥減resenting a topic that can have pros and cons and by asking to prove where the idea came from.鈥� Classes are small, so professors 鈥渒now your strengths and weaknesses and try their best to help you out.鈥�

This is a 鈥渄iverse community鈥� that includes a sizable number of non-Californians, and most people are 鈥渧ery friendly, respectful of others鈥� different identities, and comfortable with people of different backgrounds.鈥� There is 鈥渁 good meshing鈥� of all the students regardless of what their involvements are, and a real 鈥渃ommunity-based feeling鈥� abounds. Whittier sees a higher transfer rate than many similar schools, so 鈥渋t is very easy to know at least ten or more students who transfer after a year or two.鈥� The majority of people here are involved in some form of sport, but are not looking to go beyond the collegiate or intramural level.

The campus is small, so 鈥渋t鈥檚 easy to make friends鈥� and there are typically 鈥渓ots of events (academic or recreational) to go to.鈥� Different clubs run the gamut from Anime Club to Fun Night Club to a larping group, but marauders beware: 鈥淩As are required to put on events such as Assassins.鈥� 鈥淭here was once a Beowulf reading at night where you got a free dinner in addition,鈥� says a student. Whittier鈥檚 version of Greek life comes in the form of the school鈥檚 11 鈥渟ocieties,鈥� and a majority of students have some form of involvement in a society or a sport. The school鈥檚 size naturally leaves enough time to for extracurriculars and outside interests, as 鈥渋t is difficult not to get involved when everyone is.鈥� Whitter is relatively close to LA and the beach, so the weather is 鈥渕ostly very nice鈥� and students often 鈥渓ounge around outside under trees and on the grass to do homework and socialize,鈥� 鈥減lay Frisbee, walk on slack lines, and play soccer for fun in the courtyards.鈥� The pool facility is brand new and many 鈥渉ang out on the decks to tan and cool off in the heat,鈥� and there are hills behind the campus that are good for hiking or running. There 鈥渋s always something going on on-campus and that makes students even more involved.鈥�