Biola University Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Lindsay

Biola University is an amazing, Christ centered school. Biola has so many great professor's and opportunities for their students that it can really make one a better person. One thing that I would change, would be having more guidance when one is trying to find a church. The size of Biola is perfect, I would not change that for anything. One experience I will always remember is our Chapel Sinspo; it has definitely changed me and made me into a better person.

Lindsay

Biola University is an amazing, Christ centered school. Biola has so many great professor's and opportunities for their students that it can really make one a better person. One thing that I would change, would be having more guidance when one is trying to find a church. The size of Biola is perfect, I would not change that for anything. One experience I will always remember is our Chapel Sinspo; it has definitely changed me and made me into a better person.

Liam

From my experience working as a school ambassador, as well as through conversations with people around campus, I have heard a broad spectrum of reasons for why students come to Biola. Whether its the girl-guy ratio (around 4-1, lots to choose from gentleman!) to our school being one of the few Christian institutions that actually does a decent job with academics to our great weather (70 and sunny year-round baby!) or that you are 10 minutes from Disneyland and 20 minutes from the beach. But the number one most cited reason I have heard for why students eventually decide to cough up the outrageous $40,000 a year to come live in a dorm and eat caf food is one word: community. This is the reason I myself turned down full ride scholarships at other schools to come to Biola. Because from the minute I stepped on campus, I felt a warmth that had been missing everywhere else I had visited. Sure, some schools have fancier buildings and frat parties and maybe a football team, but what we have is so much more than that. We have professors who truly care about us as individuals and students from all over the world who will soon become your friends for life. We have our school traditions, like our annual dorm dodgeball competition, and the mysterious concrete egg which is constantly being stolen and re-hidden under cover of darkness. We have impromptu worship sessions at 2 in the morning in our dorm hallway and our life-long basketball rivalry with neighboring school Azusa Pacific. But no matter what happens during your four years at Biola, you can be sure that you are surrounded by people who care. Students, faculty, alumni, and even the maintenance man Jose who says “Hi!” to me in the mornings. Among our student body of around 6,000, you are not alone, and you are not unseen. And that is more than can be said of many schools.

Drew

The best thing about Biola University is the community. Students, Staff, Faculty, and Professors share a faith that allows them to become united. Biola is the perfect size to have the ability to see your friends when walking to class but still meet people throughout the year. People who go to Biola are typically ecstatic to be there and when somebody finds out that you are student there it is amazing to experience their excitement for you as well. The academics and spiritual growth are challenging and the commitment that the entire school has to Jesus Christ is unusual. Biola is one of a kind.

Job

My opinion is that Biola is heading in the right direction as a whole. There are certain things I would definitely change, like chapel requirements and the continued tenure of certain professors, but the commitment to each individual student's spiritual growth is second to none.

Kelsey

Overall I really enjoy attending Biola University. There are so many great professors and courses to choose from, along with clubs for every interest. In my opinion Biola is the perfect size, not too large and not to small. There are about 6,000 students total, 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate. When I tell people that I attend Biola University they usually are very impressed. Biola has built up a great reputation for itself and is ranked in US News Best up and coming Universities for the second year in a row!There are a lot of places for people to hang out on campus. We have a Student Union Building or the SUB as we call it, which is open 24 hours a day and is filled with couches and comfy chairs along with board games and 2 pool tables for students to unwind and relax. There is the fountain where you can sit and enjoy a nice day outdoors in the heart of Biola's campus. There is also a spacious library with lots of study and quiet space within 3 floors to relax and get some work done. Biola also has a great location in the heart of southern California. It is about a 30 minute drive to the beach and 30 minute drive to the mountains! IT also is close to many attractions such as disneyland, Las Angeles, the observatory, aquariums, museums and much much more! Biola is also filled with school pride! everywhere you go you are bound to see people wearing Biola gear and supporting their school, especially at sporting events and campus activities. Overall Biola is a great University and I do not know any better place to attend school and learn to grow as children of God!

Daryen

The best thing about Biola University is the community, besides being a band of Christ followers we all enjoy spending time together and make it apparent to any new-comer. I can't say there is any one thing I would change about Biola except that maybe the financial aid could be improved due to the high tuition. This school isn't too big, I would say it's a pretty good size. There are small classes as well as huge ones and a variety of places to relax or study. Whenever I mention attending Biola I either get an impressed look or obvious feelings about being "too Christian" depending on who I talk to. I usually spend time in my room or in a friends, I wouldn't really say that La Mirada is a "college town" compared to others I have visited but there certainly are some local spots that you could find many students on any given day. Our administration is pretty average, nothing really to complain about. The biggest school-wide event lately is probably "Overheard at Biola" shutting down. "Overheard" was a facebook page where people could post funny comments they heard around campus, but one day some things got out of control and it was terminated. Biola has a lot of school pride especially concerning our rival Asuza Pacific. Something unusual about Biola is that we have the "Biola Egg" which is a large cement egg hidden around campus as a contest to see which dorm can find it and hide it first. I will probably always remember "coning" with a couple of friends which consists of driving through McDonald's ordering ice-cream and grabbing the dessert by the ice-cream part instead of the cone. It was silly but a fun way to let lose before school the next day. Biola is a really great school, the only thing I have ever heard of anyone complaining about is the hours of the coffee shop not being vast on the weekends.

Jessica

There are so many wonderful things about Biola University. The part of this school that really drew me in was the community. There is such a strong feeling of family and love on this campus that you want to be here. People and professors genuinely care about you and desire to get to know you. There's a sense of happiness and joy that floods the campus. Overall, Biola is the perfect size. With around 7,000 total Graduate and Undergraduate students, there's always room to meet new people and see new faces, yet recognize friends in the cafeteria and around campus. Biola University is an unusual school. While you can major in just about any field of study that interests you, you are required to minor in biblical studies. As a private, Christian university, the goal of the school is to equip leaders in every area of life to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and through the minor in biblical studies, students feel prepared and called to do that. Biola University is a wonderful school full of kind-hearted students whose goal is to do well in school, glorify God, and beat Azusa Pacific University in every sport! :)

Jessica

Like the majority of my peers at Biola, I love this college! School spirit runs high for the Eagles and most people get pretty excited to come here. Trees, flowers, fountains, brick buildings, newly constructed additions and attractive lighting make the campus beautiful. Facility and garden services do a great job with upkeep. Safely nestled in the Los Angeles suburb of La Mirada, Biola is located close to everything a college student could possibly desire: a dollar theater, a frisbee golf course, grassy parks, nice beaches, downtown LA, the Staples Center, Orange County shopping, Hollywood and, of course, Disneyland. At 6,000 undergraduates, the student body size is not too big and not too small. We love and know our professors personally, and adore our president, affectionately nicknamed DBC. The community feel probably seals the deal for most prospective students when they come. It surprises visitors to see how friendly and trusting everyone is.

Rachel

The community at Biola, both student body and faculty and staff, is the best thing about Biola. One can always find encouragement among those on campus. Also, because Biola is not a humongous school, there are plenty of familiar faces around which makes making connections much easier. Time on campus is often spent studying at Common Grounds, the on-campus coffee shop, watching late night movies in one of the dorm lobbies (most are open to both guys and girls 24-7), or activities such as having spontaneous acoustic worship time in dorm stairwells or watching sunsets from the dorm fire escape. Time off campus can be spent at the many parks in the area, visiting the ever-popular Savers thrift store (cheap furniture!) or doing a late-night donut run. Disneyland is also a popular Biola student past time, as the theme park is a mere 20 minutes from campus. One thing many students do not appreciate about Biola is the 30 chapel per semester requirement, but it is a privilege to attend such well-done chapels and it is a helpful accountability system. My favorite weekly chapel is called Singsperation (Singspo for short), which is an hour-long worship through music session.

Ashleigh

Biola University is a perfect pick for someone like myself. Coming from a small town, I was really looking for a place that fostered solid relationships and close ties within the campus, and Biola provides just that for every student. From floor retreats to campus led activities, Biola encourages a strong and close-knit community. Despite our lack of a football team, Biola still presents school spirit with fun activities such as Nationball, Midnight Madness, and the support of all collegiate sporting events. Biola is located in La Mirada, California, which is a small town just south of downtown Los Angeles and north of Disneyland and two hours away from San Diego. This particular location is prime for college-age students, for they never run out of things to keep them entertained, but do not let the entertainment surroundings fool you; Biola University is known for its sound academics, especially in Biblical Studies. One of my most favorite aspects of Biola is the close relation each student has with their professor. With the average of each class coming out to around 17 people, one-on-one relations with a professor is a daily occurrence. Not only do the professors believe in each student, but they also aid each one heavily in the job search by sharing information about numerous job opportunities throughout the year.

Shonette

I love Biola. Everyone gets along for the most part and no, it's not too big but because of that, it has become a bit overcrowded. It is a school that has the size of just right with almost too many people. I am on campus a lot...when I'm not at home. I try to stay on campus as much as possible during the week to get homework done and work for other things I participate in.

Matthew

Biola University has an excellent dorm/resident life on campus. There is little to no violations of the school code that take place and through my dorm, I've met a variety of nice guys that have helped me get adjusted to college life. The campus/meal plan program is in desperate need of improvement, as the dining times are not fit for a university campus, and compared to other colleges, it's hardly ever open! However, the actually size of the campus and number of students enrolled seems like a good fit. People usually haven't heard of Biola, or I have to go a little deeper in explaining it to them. I spend most of my free time in my dorm, talking with floor mates, studying, or sleeping! The biggest recent controversy, would probably be about whether or not our Jesus mural does justice to what he actually looked like historically. There is definitely a lot of school pride at Biola, however, and attendance to soccer, basketball, and baseball games is a must.

Amy

Biola University is an amazing school for many reasons. The student body is unique in the sense that almost everyone at this school absolutely loves it. When you go on a school tour, people who you've never met will walk by and encourage you to "Come to Biola!" The professors also take a personal interest in their students, and it is so nice to be able to email or set up a time to meet with any professor during their office hours. The campus is beautiful, and although it is smaller, it doesn't feel cramped. There is also the perfect amount of students. I believe our undergraduate count is something like 5000 at the moment, and it is awesome to see familiar faces around campus after a while without feeling like you know everyone. One of my favorite things about Biola are the chapels. There is a requirement of 30 chapels, but there are so many awesome opportunities to go and there is also the option of doing "make-up" chapels that getting to 30 is hardly an issue. I also love sporting events. As a member of the volleyball team, I may be a little biased in this regard, but I absolutely love attending sporting events. The student body goes crazy, especially at men's basketball games, and it is such a fun time. La Mirada, the city in which Biola is located, is a small and relatively quiet town. However, just minutes away are cities like LA, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach. Who wouldn't want to attend an awesome college with the beach and big cities just a short drive away? The weather is beautiful, and the campus definitely has a "southern California" feel to it. The cafeteria, or the "caf" as students call it, is catered by Bon Appetit and there are so many options. Although it's hard not to miss home-cooked meals, there is always something good in the caf. Biola is also unique in that the student body loves the president of the school. Dr. Barry Corey, or DBC as the students lovingly call him, is a wonderful man whose passion for Biola is apparent. All in all, Biola is a great school, not only for academics, but for an all-around awesome college experience.

Adrienne

Overall, I would say my school is AMAZING!! Coming into my freshman year, the school didn't quite fulfill my expectation; it far exceeded them! Everyone is so nice here and there are so many ways for students to get involved. There is a a fairly large amount of school spirit. Everyone is proud to be a Biola Eagle. We have spirit-filled events, like dorm competitions, basketball games and so many more. Biola University is located in sunny Southern California in the small town of La Mirada. It's a pretty quiet town, but we're just minutes away from plenty of fun things to do. The beach is 15 minutes away. Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are only about 15 minutes away. L.A. is about 20 to 30 minutes away. So it's pretty easy to find something fun to do near campus. The professors are also amazing. Most of the class sizes are pretty small, so you have a larger opportunity to get to know your professors on a one-to-one basis. All of them are so invested in their student's academics and overall well-being. My school is the best. I could go one and one...

Michelle

Biola University is truly a one of a kind school. I cannot express how much I love being a student here. The best thing about my school is the community. The faculty truly want to help you succeed not only while you are a student but want to prepare you for the rest of your life. If I ever need any help or want any advice there are hundreds of faculty members that would sit down with me and really listen and help me out no matter what questions I have. I have also made some of the best friends who have the same goals in life as I do and love doing the same things i like to do. Biola has about 6,000 students including the grad program and it is the perfect size! Its small enough so that teachers have time for each and every student but big enough to where you don't know everyone. We are also big enough to have really awesome sports teams and have such great school pride and spirit in our athletics. Biola is also located in one of the best places! It is right outside of Los Angeles so I have been able to go to so many concerts, plays, and even be on some TV shows! Also, Disneyland is about 15min south of Biola and so tons of my friends have passes or just hang in Downtown Disney on weekends. Angels stadium, Staples Center and Honda center are also so close and I have been to games and concerts at all three of those places. The beach is also just 15min away as well for surfing and late night bonfires. There is so much to do and it is all so conveniently close.

Jacob

My experience at Biola University has been everything I wanted from a college when I was first looking at my options in high school. The relatively small size of Biola really gives students a chance to really get involved in the community of the school, and to feel like they belong. The best thing about Biola hands down is the community. Ask a current student, and this will probably be their answer. Biola is the perfect size where you can know a lot of people and recognize a lot of faces, but not too small so that it feels restricting. The area around the campus would not be considered a college town per say, but there are many things in neighboring cities that Biola students frequent and Los Angeles is only a half an hour drive away with endless possibilities for college students to explore. Biola is a rapidly growing university, so a frequent student complaint might be that there are too many students and not enough resources/dorms/spaces to study on campus. Biola is unique in that students are required to take 30 units of Bible classes, which amounts to 10 classes over the course of earning a degree, but generally students really enjoy taking these classes. Another requirement that sets Biola apart from other schools are the 30 chapel attendance requirement that students must complete each semester. These requirements set Biola apart but also help to bring students together and foster the community of Biola. Overall, Biola lives up to its name as a private Christian college in Southern California by providing students a solid education in a Southern Californian environment.

Jacob

My experience at Biola University has been everything I wanted from a college when I was first looking at my options in high school. The relatively small size of Biola really gives students a chance to really get involved in the community of the school, and to feel like they belong. The best thing about Biola hands down is the community. Ask a current student, and this will probably be their answer. Biola is the perfect size where you can know a lot of people and recognize a lot of faces, but not too small so that it feels restricting. The area around the campus would not be considered a college town per say, but there are many things in neighboring cities that Biola students frequent and Los Angeles is only a half an hour drive away with endless possibilities for college students to explore. Biola is a rapidly growing university, so a frequent student complaint might be that there are too many students and not enough resources/dorms/spaces to study on campus. Biola is unique in that students are required to take 30 units of Bible classes, which amounts to 10 classes over the course of earning a degree, but generally students really enjoy taking these classes. Another requirement that sets Biola apart from other schools are the 30 chapel attendance requirement that students must complete each semester. These requirements set Biola apart but also help to bring students together and foster the community of Biola. Overall, Biola lives up to its name as a private Christian college in Southern California by providing students a solid education in a Southern Californian environment.

Julia

The tight-knit community is the best part of Biola. Students genuinely care about each other and in many cases, they go out of their way to connect with people and form lasting friendships. The school is pretty small, but that just gives you more opportunities to get to know everyone better. People who don't go to Biola have a lot of respect for it and highly esteem its reputation. On Campus, I spend a lot of time in the dorm lobbies doing homework, cooking, or talking to people. La Mirada is by no means a college town. It is very family oriented because it is next to Disney Land and Knott's Berry Farm. A lot of people like to get season passes to the theme parks and hang out there on the weekends. Personally, I prefer going to the beach and surfing. The school administration is very approachable, easy to contact, and extremely helpful. I have never gotten the run round here. All information is direct and easily available. The school president friends students on facebook. The greatest recent controversy was over chapel attendance. The rules have gotten more strict and the penalties heavier for not complying with the requirement, but chapel is so awesome. Why would anyone not want to go? Biola is bursting with school pride. Nation Ball and Midnight Madness are two of the best events to observe just how much school pride Biola has. Students most frequently complain about open hours in the dorms. The opposite sex is only allowed in your dorm room with the door or window opened every Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6-11, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2-11. This helps students focus on God and their studies, not just who they think will be their future spouse. Nation Ball is definitely something I will never forget. It is a university-wide dodgeball game among the dorms. It is epic. The thing that is most unique about Biola is that the faculty and students really do care about each other and help one another out in any way possible. I know that I am safe here and have friends and professors I could call at any time of day or night for help or advice.

Abbey

I have not been disappointed with Biola. I love the people, the opportunities to excel, the education, the professors and most of all the lifelong friends I have made. One of my favorite things is the way God and the gospel infiltrate everything from journalism class to staff meeting to chapel. God is present on our campus, and many people evidently love and serve him.

Carlos

The best thing about Biola University is that it is a biblically centered community where all students, faculty, and professors have a relationship with Jesus. The size and population of Biola is just right; Biola does not overwhelm you with too many people bumping in to you but it does give you the chance to meet many people from all parts of the country. As an athlete at Biola I spend most of my time on the soccer fields getting ready for games, our school has a lot of school spirit whether it be varsity sports or even inter murals that vary from flag football to "glow in the dark" frisbee.

Janine

When I think about my time at Biola overall, my mind continually returns to the great experiences that I have had within the context of community. Whether a student is focused on academics, sports, or extra-curriculars, he or she has great access to a variety of community-oriented activities. But while students interested in intramural bowling, social justice activism, or The Cheese Club will find like-minded comrades, these things are only small glimpses of the great spirit of community that pervades Biola as a whole. The intentionality of personal relationship starts from the top, and moves from administrators to faculty and staff, from professors to students, from RAs to residents, and flows from student to student.