I attended Biola for one semester, before making the decision to drop out, I am transferring to a new University.
*Location- If you're like me, location, is of vast importance
Biola is located in La Mirada, which is on the border of LA and Orange County. It is in a relatively convenient location to the city and the beaches. But it's LA, so you can expect to sit in hours of traffic, to drive a few miles down the freeway/highway. Enjoy that.
Until recently, when I made the decison to move, and attend Biola, I was living in downtown San Francisco. I would describe LA Mirada, and its surrounding towns, as vanilla, boring, average at best. They are comprised of the same chain restaurants, fast food joints, strip malls, etc. There is an abundance of Korean bbq around, which I did love, so I guess there is that.
This is all ace, if that's your thing, but I swiftly learned it wasn't for me. Los Angeles, in general, didn't do much for me. But that's just me, clearly many people love LA.
Anyway, I'm moving back to San Francisco, but even now, as i type this, I still feel the abundance of mundane suburbia, and the population that comprise it.
*Academics- The classes aren't very challenging. It reminded me of high school, academically, but also socially...which I'll address later.
You are also required to take a plethora of bible classes, and attend chapel services, which as others have mentioned is not only frustratingly time consuming, but seems redundant.
* Costs- Biola is a private university, and a very expensive private university. I wasn't blessed to come from a financially flourishing family, or much of a family in general, but irrelevant, i suppose.
Bottom line, if I had chosen to stick out the 4 years at Biola, I would have been in substantial debt. I'm not sure if a Biola degree, to debt ratio, is really worth it.
*Demographics/Campus life- During my time at Biola, I lived in the dorms, which I don't have much to comment about, it's a dorm....unflattering, loathsome at times, not anything special or to complain about.
But, I elected to stay in the dorm, because I thought it would be the best decision to fully immerse myself into the college experience. Ultimately, I didn't find I spent that much time with people on my dorm hall, nor did I really have that many friends from my dorm.
-Now, the central reason why I chose to leave Biola.
Biola is not a very diverse school, racially, politically, socially, etc.
If you are white, come from a family with substantial finances, conservative, and listen to Mumford & Sons....just kidding....i think.....then this is the school for you.
I noticed a lot of subtle and underlying racial issues during my time here. I'm assuming, perhaps fairly, or unfairly, that most of the students here grew up very sheltered. They surrounded themselves with people who look as they do, think as they do, believe as they do, and they have continued that trend into college. Whatever race you are, or appear to be, is probably the group you will find you are accepted into. There is certainly a racial division, that is noticeable at Biola, that may not be what people want to hear, but its true.
Social life at Biola can also feel very high school-ish. Social groups can be determined on insignificant and hollow, circumstances and factors.
Dejectedly, I felt a similar type of treatment, from some staff and faculty.
Also, it may be worth mentioning that I had a friend who was 29 years old and attended Biola. He mentioned to me on numerous occasions, that it felt like he was treated poorly at times. Take that for what its worth, i guess.
I decided it wasn't worth feeling uncomfortable, in what should be a growing and pleasant environment. I felt like I wasn't judged on who I am personally, or how I performed academically, so I left. My experience, while short lived, is my own, and I just wanted to be honest with how Biola made me feel, at times.
Maybe, my opinion is insignificant...but that's just my thoughts. read more