Occidental College is a hidden West Coast gem, but students are ready for the word to get out about their stellar academic programs, incredible diversity, and beautiful campus. When telling strangers and people from outside southern California, “
They ask questions like, ‘Occidental? Is that a dental school?’ or, ‘Did you get in by ‘occident’?’” says a freshman. “
Haha, funny….no. Once you can get over that, the school is amazing.” The extremely small size (capped at 1,800 undergrads total) may deter some, as may the mandated emphasis on keeping dialogue between the many racial and ethnic minority groups open and P.C. at all times. But the kind of students who are looking for an extremely liberal, tolerant, engaging college experience will find it at Oxy’s beachside haven—at the very least, they’ll find the beach, which is more than enough for most. “The best thing about Occidental is the location,” says another freshman. “It can’t get much better than the sun and beach.”
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Academics at Oxy are truly centered on the individual student,” writes a junior. Thirty students in a lecture is considered a large class, and many classes are organized as discussions or dialogues instead of straight-on faculty presentations. The core curriculum with an international focus brings an unusual degree of global awareness to Oxy’s academic environment. “
Students are motivated, informed, and passionate about global politics and world issues,” says a junior. “
The professors are amazing and have all kinds of international experience.” Oxy’s science programs are growing in their visibility and recognition, especially with their emphasis on getting undergrads involved in hand-on research. A sophomore bio major writes, “
The college places a huge emphasis on research at Oxy. At the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, the way we are represented, you would think Occidental is the size of a UC. Nearly every science major is engaged in research during the school year and/or the summer.” Students love their small, interactive classes, but keeping size down—even with such a tiny undergrad population—can be an administrative hassle (and there are plenty of these hassles to go around). The registration process gives first dibs to freshmen, and upperclassmen can get shut out of the coolest classes, according to a junior: “
If you can get the classes you want, they are usually great, but it can be a battle zone trying to get them.”
But students say classes are just the first part of the learning equation at Oxy. “
Oxy helps make you a more aware individual, which I think is as important (if not more) than the textbooks you'll read in class,” says a senior. Part of that learning experience comes from the high degree of diversity among the student body. Admissions officers make an effort to include races, religions, and ethnicities across the spectrum, and students agree it makes for a unique environment. “
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,” says a freshman. While administrators bring diversity to campus, it’s up to students to figure out how to react to it—and no matter how open-minded they are, there’s always a few kinks. “
There is always a lot of controversy surrounding race at our school,” writes a junior. “
There’s actually a terrible atmosphere surrounding [it]. Pauley Hall is supposed to be a diverse dorm, but it’s more like a fortress in which students of color and a few radical white students can go to talk about how much they hate…rich white male Republicans.” But part of the Oxy experience is learning how to live and work together, and students understand that it won’t always be smooth sailing. “
I think we are known worldwide for our diverse students, and I know a lot of people here think we aren’t yet diverse enough, and a lot of people here think it’s all a scam,” writes a senior. “
The point is, there’s a lot of discourse going on regarding these issues, which makes it an exciting time to be here.”
While racial and ethnic groups run the gamut, the majority of students come from the West Coast, especially California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Most students seem to be financially comfortable, whether their parents are wealthy enough to afford the sometimes pricey tuition or the excellent financial aid office has worked out a substantial aid package for them. The small student body can be both a blessing and a curse, students say. “
You will undoubtedly see about 30 people you know, or of whom you know, every time you walk through the quad,” writes a senior. On the other hand, the size also gives the Oxy community its tendency to “
get catty. News travels fast around campus,” she explains. The student body is also “
shockingly athletic,” according to a freshman, despite its hippie, liberal reputation. Throughout the Oxy community, differences aren’t just tolerated, they’re celebrated: “
We joke that every week is a different theme—‘Asian-Pacific Islander Week,’ ‘Save Darfur Week,’ ‘Take Back the Week (Night),’” says a student. And yes, that even applies to the few politically conservative students who dare come to Oxy. “
The Oxy Republicans should be renamed the Oxy Republican, because there is only one member,” jokes a freshman. “
Rock on.”
Social life at Oxy is vibrant, both inside and outside the campus bubble. “
There is a social scene for everyone, despite the small student body,” writes a student. “
If you want to party ever 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.” The school makes an effort to provide a wealth of on-campus options, from traditional fare like student theater and athletic match-ups, to themed dances that students agree are far less lame than the standard high-school mixer. One senior lists the options: “
Traditional events that happen every year are: Homecoming Dance, Homecoming Game/weekend, Toga Party, Doctors and Nurses Party, Sex on the Beach Dance, Halloween Dance, Dance Production Performances, Apollo Night, and many others. They range from completely social dances and parties to awareness events highlighting things such as LGBTQ and women’s issues.” L.A.’s public transportation isn’t as conducive to getting around as students would like, but they can either walk to a hip nearby neighborhood like Eagle Rock or persuade a friend with wheels to drop them off downtown or at the beach. “
The campus is located in Los Angeles, right between Pasadena and Glendale, a stone’s throw from Dodger Stadium and just a few minutes farther from Burbank and Hollywood,” writes a junior from New York City. “
If you can’t find something in a city like this to entertain yourself with, then you should probably be Amish.”
The only complaints students ever have about Oxy is that sometimes it can be…well, too Oxy. But they typically appreciate what such an environment has to offer, both good and bad. “
Oxy’s education is truly a liberal arts education,” says a junior. “
You will graduate informed, inspired, and ready to take on the world.”
