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 | Quite Bright | | Thomas Aquinas College is a 4 year liberal arts college offering a curriculum centered around the Great Books. All the students take the same course of studies, an integrated curriculum consisting of theology, science, mathematics, philosophy, literature, history, etc. The classes are small, usually made up of 11 - 19 students directed by a "tutor" who controls the discussion. The classes are seminar type settings rather than lectures. There are no majors, minors, or electives. Every student does the same sequence of studies and at the end each receives the same degree - a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. The workload is very heavy as it's a very rigorous curriculum. It's a challenging, and unique academic experience -- one that is testing, draining, But the downside?
For people who want the "college experience", TAC is not the right place for you. Dress codes, curfews, and stringent rules destroy the atmosphere quite a bit. TAC is a very catholic place, and whilst religion is not forced upon you and you don't have to be catholic to attend, it is a VERY catholic and conservative atmosphere. This of course affects what kind of place that it is. The student body consists of a lot of homeschoolers and people from large families. I'd estimate under 10 of the student body ISN'T catholic, myself included. Everyone tends to be very like-minded in their thinking and beliefs, so if you're looking for a diverse campus culture, this is not the place for you either. It is a very small college, numbering about 350 students, which is both a positive and negative thing. Positive in that you get to know all your classmates and tutor really well, and many find smaller classes to be beneficial to their learning experience. The size makes it negative due to the fact you're really stuck with the same people for 4 years which almost feels like you're in high school rather than university! The size also makes the dating scene difficult, because if you break up it's difficult to avoid them and there's not a lot of "selection". The social life was probably the worst part about TAC. Being so small, there was very few clubs or groups to get involved in. It is a very sheltered environment, partly due to being very isolated. The campus aesthetically speaking is absolutely beautiful, being situated in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Paula in Southern California. Being in this unique location provides opportunities for bushwalking and hiking. The school organises certain events for students, such as guest speakers, excursions to nearby towns for museums and plays, plays to get involved in, dances etc. but overall the social life is very bland and not very exciting. There is a not a whole lot that goes on at the campus which can make it a dull experience. And since everything is so strict, it's sometimes difficult to enjoy your time there and "feel at home" It's not a laid-back kind of atmosphere which is kinda how I imagined college to be - there's not a lot of freedoms or privileges granted. For example, no TVs are allowed in dorms so everything is very regulated and kept under control. Another thing is the school seems very centered on academics to the point where the overall college/social experience is compromised - even out of class students talk about school work a lot of the time. I transferred after a year because I didn't feel I was getting a lot out of it, and I was wondering where it would possibly take me. Of course, getting a job shouldn't be the most important factor in choosing your college education. But realize that at TAC, whilst a highly academic and rich learning experience in many ways, it is also very rigid and narrow and in many ways limiting. You don't get to see "the full picture" or be exposed to all kinds of thinking, beliefs, etc. so it is definitley *not* for everyone. I recommend you attend the High School Program first to see if TAC is for you. Many people would find attending TAC a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. But like anything, make sure it's the right one for you. | Faculty Accessibility: A, Social Life: D | | | |
| | Mar 21 2007 | 1st Year Female --
Class 2010 | | Blog it!Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account:
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| Quite Bright | | I went to a classical high school so this is just a continuation of high school for me. I love that you get to spend class talking about important issues and get to raise questions, but I wish that the admin would do a better job of reassuring you that you can make it in the real world with a Liberal Arts degree. I’m still worried about what exactly I am going to do out of school since I don’t want to teach, be a lawyer, or a nun (I’m not Catholic). I was worried about the Catholic part, but so far (freshman year) it hasn’t been a problem. Of course, I expected to get into religious topics, and I go to church in Ventura a few times a month. It does get a tad bit uncomfortable every Friday when there is no meat for meals (why fish isn't meat I still don't understand though) or when people keep in telling me to pray to this saint for this or that. What I’m trying to say, nicely, is that people live a very conservative Catholic life there. Just be prepared for faith and religion to play a big part in your daily life. That being said, feel free to go and question and challenge all you want. I have never had someone laugh at my questions or refuse to answer. It's a small campus, so the good news is that you make alot of friends fast; the bad news is that there is no where to really get off campus if you don't have a car. So if you like being around people, this is good; if you have problems with certain people, you better learn how to deal with those issues because there is no where to go and avoid people. Just be prepared for everyone to know most everything about everyone. You are spending a lot of time with people and getting to know them very well, so romance does happen and drama issues. Just make sure to keep a level head. If you want to go through college unknown and with out any friends, this isn’t the college for you. Since it is so small and a common curriculum, finals are a good time. I had a Philosophy study group with a few freshmen and a few sophomores and they helped point out things that are really important and give us an idea why this is necessary to know for next year. So it’s nice being able to go up to the commons at 2am and asking a random junior how the Topics fit in with the Analytics. Food is decent; teachers are wonderful; dances are fantastic; people are friendly and welcoming; just a good college all around. Except for the closest town is Santa Paula, but nothing you can do about that. :) | Scholastic Success: A+, Surrounding City: C- | | | |
| | Jul 26 2006 | 1st Year Female --
Class 2009 | | Blog it!Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account:
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| Bright | | Thomas Aquinas College ranks high among the top 100 universities nationally for the quality of its entering students. It is a very small school that focuses on providing a complete liberal education, not professional certification, not big time sports, and not partying. This is a serious college where students learn the strengths of western civilization. Unlike almost every other college and university in the country, Thomas Aquinas College imparts a strong, hopeful, and positive outlook on its graduates. Its faculty teaches the fundamental truths of knowledge to the highest standards, and these standards are not compromised by pandering to student whims, or by caving in to the dishonest self-delusions of political correctness, diversity, and angry nihilism. This is not a school where you will be taught to hate dead white males or to whitewash the failures of victimhood and confiscatory politics. All the other schools have a lock on those dead-end curricula.Thomas Aquinas College is the leader among all schools of higher learning in teaching the basic truths behind the ascendancy of western civilization. Its graduates go forward with the knowledge and confidence needed for our age. All of the graduates who I know have gone on to rewarding careers, backed by a strong understanding of their place in the world and the knowledge to make the most of it. | Education Quality: A+, Innovation: B | | | |
| | Jun 08 2006 | 3rd Year Male --
Class 2007 | | Blog it!Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account:
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