Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA offers a first class education for liberal arts students. Highlights of the school are a diverse selection of coursework, close-knit faculty and student groups, and a beautiful, modern campus ideally located near both the ocean and the mountains.
Mission/Vision
Westmont College strives to educate young people for the challenges of the world. With a strong liberal arts program, the college teaches students to think critically and explore their beliefs.
Campus Setting
Set in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, the campus offers a safe space for students to learn and grow in faith. The small campus allows students to bond and find community with other students while also sharing a small space to interact with professors. The campus includes a number of housing options, dining and residential halls, green spaces, and library and study areas.
Academics
The academic focus at Westmont College is on undergraduate liberal arts students. The college encourages students to get a broad education, trying courses in many different disciplines within the liberal arts sphere. Academics at Westmont College are complemented by a wide variety of extracurricular activities, guest speakers and lecturers, and workshops on topics relevant to today.
Athletics
Westmont College has strong athletics and varsity teams that compete mostly on the regional level. Students who are interested in recreational sports have many options for casual leagues and clubs. Prospective students who wish to be involved on the sports teams are welcome to meet with the teams on campus.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition at Westmont is expensive but the college does offer a substantial amount of financial aid, with over $22 million dollars awarded in student scholarships and aid during the 2017 – 2018 academic year.
Students can qualify for financial aid in a few ways. First, government federal aid is a source for students who can demonstrate financial need. Alongside the government financial aid, Westmont College also provides assistance to students with economic need. A number of other merit- and talent-based scholarships are also offered by the college.
Students should begin putting together their financial aid packages early. Visiting the school’s website and contacting a representative from the college can help students determine which financial aid sources they should apply for. Independent scholarship programs should also be considered for students with exceptional academic backgrounds, unusual talents, or uncommon interests and goals.
Accreditation
Westmont has several accreditations and affiliations including a membership in the Independent Colleges of Southern California, the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, and the Christian College Consortium. Its accreditations include the National Association of Schools of Music, the US Department of Education, and the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Admissions
Admitted applicants are considered on an individual basis and, as such, there is no formula for determining who would be a successful applicant. However, the strongest applicants have strong academic backgrounds, can show independence and leadership potential, and have been dedicated members of several extracurricular programs throughout their high school career.
In order to apply, students must send in an application along with personal essays, test scores and transcripts, recommendations from high school teachers, and any other application materials that strongly support their candidacy. For more information about the application process and admissions timeline, visit the following link: http://www.westmont.edu/admissions/financial-aid.html
