Whittier College Top Questions

Professors definitely recognize you and know your name, but that also depends a lot on class participation and if you go into their office hours. Office hours are great; I've had professors look over my papers that started out as B-papers, and with their corrections and suggestions, I raised them to A's, just by talking to them during office hours. Also, there is FREE tutoring for pretty much every subject. I know, because I used to tutor at Whittier. These tutors are your peers, but are trained to help with your writing, etc. Whittier students often have intellectual discussions after class or after visiting lectures. There's a lot to discuss! I think student competition varies from class to class. If there is, however, it's not cutt-throat or antagonistic. It's healthy debate and in general just demanding the best from yourself. A lot of professors are very approachable; I've had lunch with professors outside of class. They are always around! It is NOT like a commuter college, where teachers just come and go. The academic requirements aim to give you a great well-rounded liberal arts foundation. I had to take a writing intensive course, religion, ethics, art, science in context, etc. The aim of any liberal arts school is learning and becoming a well-rounded, informed person. From there, it is up to you how you want to create a career or job for yourself. The career center is very helpful, but you have to seek out internships and make the appointment yourself. No one is going to hold your hand in doing that, so it does require some self-discipline and motivation on your own.