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Founded in 1887, Occidental College. is a Private college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,969 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.
The Occidental College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 180 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Occidental College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Admissions at OXY are considered More Selective, with ,12% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 8 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 93% were in the top quarter, and 62% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Occidental College.
53 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
42 Students rated off-campus housing 3.2 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
54 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
55 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.
55 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.
55 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.
55 Students rated local services 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
55 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
15 Students rated Occidental College
for kids that want a college experience this is more like an elite high school. the kids that I knew at Oxy appeared wealthy and below the advertised prep scholar achievement level, class difficulty wasn't there in my opinion and at a big price tag roughly 700% over a state school. if the fun or job prospect was there maybe it could make sense, did not see the value. some arts kids like it for its proximity to Los Angeles and the film industry, for them a good fit.
This college would greatly benefit from a larger applicant pool; the student body would be more diverse not merely in terms of race but also in political ideology and overall academic achievement. I feel that this campus has a very liberal slant; in many instances, politically correct language is held to the utmost importance. As a result, discussions about political issues tend to be one-sided both inside and outside of the classroom. I feel that this stifles dissenting voices which are important to fostering diverse viewpoints which is one of the important things this college wanted to promote. (the irony...). Even the clubs in this campus have a liberal slant (take a look at the list of clus; you will see a trend or repetition). However, this campus does have a Republican club (albeit a small one) which I hope will help to serve as a haven for students with dissenting views. The professors, in my experience, are generally very knowledgeable and helpful both inside and outside of the classroom. If you make an appointment with them outside of their regular office hours, they will meet you, help you with study strategies, and get to know you personally. The classes are generally small and the level of participation varies among classes. I find that there is always that one student who is always enthusiastically participating which can be intimidating. It is very important to make some acquaintances in your classes; you will need them for notes. The CAE is helpful but has its limits; it needs to have more student tutors for each subject. The students in the writing center are generally able to help you polish your essay's grammar and flow but are often unable to provide feedback for thesis statements and the content of the essay. The social scene tends to be sluggish on fridays and the weekends. It is important to have a friend that can drive and transportation since pasadena is a short drive away. In my experience, it is very easy to become isolated in your dorm or the library if you are not careful but I suppose it is partially my fault for not joining enough clubs. The food here is generally very good; the portions are gigantic and it is easy to overeat even with Meal Plan C. If you want to watch your weight, avoid the cooler unless you are trying to get fruit, yogurt, and coffee. After a late night study session, the pizzas and candy will be tempting. This school is very expensive even for a private. Generous financial aid is required for most students to attend.
So may kids are depressed, or afraid to go to social events because of the rape culture. This school puts on a great show before you arrive, but they are completely unsupportive of students, the professors are generally unavailable outside of class, and the fees are endless.
This is a pretty typical liberal arts college. Not too much of a heavy greek or sports culture, but there is still the active presence on campus. Certain sports are more heavily represented than others - football, track. The academic atmosphere is pretty standard, no emotional breakdowns every night, but not something you just glide through. Finally, there are plenty of extracurriculars, ways to start your own clubs, and opportunities you can take advantage of in the neighborhood and the city.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Occidental College is 45%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.
achievement-oriented
Classes are small and it's great. Lectures are personal and you will participate in discussion a lot. Students are competitive in that they care about succeeding but like to work together, cooperate on stuff, and are willing to help each other out. Students spend a lot of time studying and doing school work
People are friendly, the weather is perfect, you are in a major city but in a small community
Try to make a list of what is most important to you about your school: extra-curriculars, size, diversity, politcal atmosphere, dedication to studies, etc. and try to stick to those goals. Research the facilities and professors of several majors instead of just one, in case you change your mind (which you likely will).
Doors are almost always open in the dorm, people are very friendly and social. Oxy is not know for being a party school but it is not hard to find one on the weekend. Most athletic teams are very successful, so games are popular especially football and basketball. There are great guest speakers and performers all the time. Amazing programs put on by different clubs happen weekly. Dance production is a popular event that happens yearly. Oxy has a few frats and sororities but they are not a large part of the social scene and they are not your stereotypical Greek life.
Though there are truths to both of these stereotypes, what it boils down to is that Oxy is caught between having the power to make tremendous social change on its campus and being forced into one formula for doing so. This formula, what is touted as a "dialogue" but is really a shouting match of opinions and dogmas, doesn't let people really listen to each other. Despite its problems, Oxy actually does have a fairly like-minded student body, and many of the arguments over discrimination of any kind stem from the formulaic channel of dealing with hard issues. People use the formula both to really talk about issues, but also to attract attention to themselves. There is potential here, but it has not not been achieved yet.
Occidental students tend to be some of the best and brightest this country has to offer. Over the years, Oxy has become more and more competitive. In addition the school prides itself on diversity among its student body, both in terms of race, religion, sexuality, and hometown.
There are many things about my school that make it wonderful. It is beautiful, in a great location, and holds many vibrant and exciting opportunities. The teachers are passionate about their knowledge and want to share it with their students. But the most unique thing about my school is the ambience of friendliness and genuine care on campus. There are so many nice people that it seems to be part of the admission process to be accepted--on how friendly you are. The school is very diverse and having so many open-hearted people make people feel welcome.
The admin/staff/faculty are not on the same page as far as school policies and as far as knowing what's going on; too many cliques, people aren't that friendly; professorsare stuck up and often are too busy to help or advise students
Friendly, the typical California school, but more intellectual.
Occidental welcome people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. I can't see a person that wouldn't fit in here, however to be specific, an intellgent, but down-to-earth person with compassion for others would be best suited for this school.
People who are not serious about attaining a superior education and do not want to commit a large portion of their time to learning and studying.
It is close enought to a lot of outdoor recreational spots, to a big city, small classes and the professors are for the most part glad to speak to studentes. There are also great study abroad oportunities offered or available for students to apply for. It is prestigious but not academically unfriendly or hostile like other big name schools, but still could be intimidating if you do not come from an academia oriented family.
It feels like summer all the way into November, and the small class size really allows you to get to know your peers and teachers--its easy to make friends and ask questions in class.
lack of gender studies and anthropology departments.
There are a few things that I wish I knew coming to this school. In terms of academics, to try and do your requirements (for example lab sciences, pre-1800) done in your first year, so you have time later to take classes you are really interested in. Also, in terms of acadmics, understand that you don't have to choose your major until the end of your second year, so take some time before that sampling different majors, and especially different classes that sound interesting to you.
It's best known for its gorgeous campus, its small size, its diversity (social, cultural, economic, etc.) and its fantastic liberal arts education.
White and Privileged. While this is true about a lot of the students here, you will definitely meet some people that come from very different backgrounds.
56%
female
44%
male
Total Undergrad Enrollment
Total Grad Students
Out-Of-State
In-State
International
Student Organizations
Fraternities
Sororities
On-Campus Housing
of students living on campus
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
72% of students attending Occidental College receive some sort of financial aid. 21% were awarded federal grants. While 46% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
Tuition and fees(Out of state)
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Total On Campus
We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.
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