What is it Like to Attend Loyola Marymount University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach—they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Loyola Marymount University. He lives in Los Angeles, and specializes in literature tutoring, writing tutoring, and SAT tutoring, among other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Loyola Marymount University.

Describe the campus setting and transportation options at Loyola Marymount University.

Brian: Loyola Marymount University is situated high on a bluff in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. For this reason, it is somewhat isolated from the city proper, so having a car is definitely helpful. I should also note that there was no Uber when I was in college, so I imagine that has made it much easier to get around.

How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?

Brian: Professors in general were very easy to get hold of. Because Loyola Marymount University is a private university, most class sizes are small, so professors are able to get to know you on a one-on-one basis. Every professor I took had office hours, and some even required that students visit them during these hours at least once during the semester.

How would you describe the dorm life—rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?

Brian: Dorm life was pretty great. First-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing, and there were all sorts of extracurricular activities planned, so getting to know other students was very easy. Dining options were plentiful. The central food area, called the Lion’s Den, had pizza, sandwiches, burgers, a salad bar, and even a Jamba Juice. The variety of the food was awesome.

Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Loyola Marymount University?

Brian: I majored in English at Loyola Marymount University, because I had heard from an English teacher at my high school that the writing program was excellent. She was right. The English professors there are dedicated and passionate. I also got heavily involved with the student newspaper, which was great for developing my critical voice.

How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life?

Brian: There are too many student clubs to count at Loyola Marymount University. No matter what your interest is, there is a club for it. And if there is not, it is easy to start one. I got involved with the Japanese culture club, mostly because I was interested in anime and video games, but through that, I made a ton of new friends.

How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? 

Brian: There is a career fair every semester, with many major companies represented. There is also a career center that can do things like help you write a resume and give you job interview tips.

How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges?

Brian: The library at Loyola Marymount University was one of my favorite places to hang out, study, and do homework. It was so serene, and they had private study rooms for groups. It is open late too, in case you need to study the night before a big test.

Describe the surrounding town.

Brian: Loyola Marymount University is situated in Los Angeles, one of the biggest, most diverse cities in the world. Shops, restaurants, museums, movie theaters, and the beach are all nearby. You will never run out of new things to do and explore, and most places will give you a student discount.

How big or small is the student body at Loyola Marymount University? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?

Brian: Being a private university, Loyola Marymount University’s class size is relatively small, with about 6,500 undergraduates when I was there (2003-2007). As such, most class sizes are pretty small. The only large classes are the general education classes, but even those are small compared to most public universities.

Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.

Brian: A lot of my favorite memories of Loyola Marymount University come from working at the student newspaper, the Los Angeles Loyolan. During my senior year, I was the editor of the Arts & Entertainment section, which meant I got free CDs, movie screenings, merchandise, etc. I even got to go to the occasional press junket and interview actual celebrities, so that was pretty amazing. But what I will remember most are all the late nights before deadline, rushing to get the paper out on time. It was very challenging, but it was also very fun.

Check out Brian’s tutoring profile.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.