Occidental: The Big Picture
Most people haven't heard of Occidental which is incredibly FRUSTRATING!! They ask question like "Occidental? Is that a dental school?" or "Did you get in by 'occident'?" Haha funny... no. Once you can get over that, the school is amazing. The classes are small and typically discussion-based, and the professors are smart and accessible. Not to mention, while this may sound silly, the weather is a huge boost. There is always something going on in the quad during lunch and everyone is always in good spirits. The music in the quad during lunch hour is guaranteed to perk you up. Huge paper due tomorrow that you haven't started? Don't stress - go write it on Stewie Beach and soak up the sun.
Occidental Academic Life
While it may sound better to say you go to an ivy league school, that may often be code for "my professors are here to do research/teach in the graduate school and don't really care about me." At Oxy, the professors are here because they want to teach undergraduates at a small liberal arts school. Period. They are devoted. They are committed. Always.
Occidental's Student Body
Oxy's ultra-liberal student body is incredibly accepting. No matter what race, sex, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background, you'll be accepted here. While the overly-politically correct atmosphere can sometimes be overwhelming, you will truly get the best lesson of tolerance you've ever had. Through this, you may even learn sometime about yourself.
The Occidental College Democrats is a thriving club. The Oxy Republicans should be renamed the Oxy Republican because there is only one member. Rock on.
The student body as a whole is pretty casual. While sun dresses are popular due to the sunny Los Angeles weather, if you want to roll to you morning class in sweat pants and a t-shirt, that's okay too. People won't judge you for what you wear here.
The student body is incredibly diverse, not only in race and background, but also in thought. It is always rewarding to talk to someone new and find out about them. No two people at Oxy are the same.
Occidental Student Activities + Social Life
Oxy's student body is shockingly athletic, mostly due to the fact that there is a sport here for everyone. Get involved and get active. Go watch the Rugby teams play - they're awesomely raw!
There is a social scene for everyone, despite the small student body. If you want to party every night of the week, you can. If you want to go clubbing in Hollywood, you can. If you want to sit around with a couple of friends and do homework on Saturday night, you can. Don't think that because there are only 1800 of us we don't know how to party, but also don't think that you HAVE to party if you come here.
Everyone leaves there doors open in the dorms. People are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The upperclassmen are always open to meeting the freshman and immediately invite them into the core social scene at Oxy.
