University Of The West

I work here in student services /​student affairs so you may experience my review as biased. Perhaps it is, but is also honest. Let me just offer that UWest is the 6^th university or college I have worked at in my 25yr career history, and by far, the institutional values and leadership are exceptional. There is so much authentic care for the students, I am proud to be apart of this tiny gem of a place in the San Gabriel Valley where students can grow and develop while they achieve their degree of higher learning. Other pluses: diverse population with people from over 40 countries, you get a wonderful Buddhist orientation throughout the curriculum and co-​curricular programs without having to identify as Buddhist or any particular faith if, small faculty and staff to student ratio where you are known by your 1^st name and not an ID#, the student voice and experience is sought — heard — incorporated into the institution’s strategic planning, for undergrads it is one of the most economical Bachelors-​awarding universities in So Cal. Two cons: because of the small enrollment size, there is not the variety /​scope of degree and course offerings as can be found at larger universities, and the physical facilities are outdated with great need for a make over. We have plans in the next few years to renovate and update, starting SP16 with the new fully-​equipped fitness center.

Small student population with a lot of foreign students. It is a wonderful and cheap place to attend, and you feel more linked in as the staff is certainly concerned about you. As it is such a small school, the Workout Rooms lacks a lot of the Equipment that a normal Gym attendee would want to see. The Dining Facility is also a little lacking on the service and selection, and that comes with such a small school. Some of the shared living accommodations could use some updating and TLC. It is certainly a different world at UWest and it stands out that you will feel more connected to those around you and the body of knowledge. The dormitory rooms are acceptable, and I only wish that they were furnished a bit differently. The Professors are very knowledgeable and very patient to work with you on your issues. It is obvious that the foundational values at UWest thrive greatly in the realm of «East meets West» and the «Total Human Experience» including Mind, Body, and Soul.

I finished my BA at UWest. I had a great time studying here. I met people from all over the world, monastics and civilians. Wonderful, interested and interesting people from students to staff to faculty. The cost per semester hour is very reasonable and the class sizes are very small. I hope to get my moving on a MA in multicultural counseling there. I look forward to getting back to the campus and the great people.

UWest is a non-​sectarian Buddhist college with undergraduate, graduate and Phd programs. I attended UWest and received my master’s degree in Buddhist Studies.
UWest has committed top level instructors, a beautiful location in the hills of Rosemead, and a varied student body of monastic and non-​monastic Buddhists, and non-​Buddhists.
I hope that they will be able to offer a wider curriculum in the future. However, I highly recommend UWest to anyone interested in Buddhist Studies.