Occidental College Top Questions

Oxy's student body exists as a community. You get to know a majority of the students, and there is a sense of a common goal. Nearly everyone is willing to give a helping hand to other students, and because of this, while students strive for excellence, they also work to help one another reach their full potential.

The student body is very open and accepting. We have fuctions regarding awareness and counciousness about LGBTQ and all different racial groups. There are a large amount of students that are very politically active but it does not dominate the discussion on campus which can be relaxing in comparison to other liberal arts schools.

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.

The student body is very diverse on all levels (race, religion, gender identity, SES) and I believe most students are comfortable interacting with everyone. The only people that may feel out of place on campus are republicans. Most students are from California, Oregon, and Washington. Many are also from the East Coast, though you can find students from all over. There is also a very large international student population. Most people do not get very dressed up for class, people are comfortable, though you may occasionally have to dress up for certain class meetings.

If you're not willing to face racism....don't come here. Oxy started off as a white, religious school. It is just starting to deal with diversity end even now you will face prejudices and racism. BUT...it's a place where you will find people that think and feel just the way you do. White students need to be challenged and Oxy is the place for that. Students of colors have a home here at Oxy, whether it be in Pauley Hall or multicultural clubs, you will find support.

There's a very good exposure to all kinds of lifestyles and tolerance on campus. Occidental life, both in the classroom and among the campus community is rife with diversity of all sorts, and the activities and events around campus encourage, enable and stress education on these matters as well without being preachy.

Students here are diverse yet for the most part are very similar. They are a liberal (yet not radical) group of students raised in families that told them they can be whatever they want in life, and many come from progressive private schools or selective public schools. Students here are very sensitive to race and cultural issues as well as gender and sexual orientation, and race and ethnicity dominate discussions both inside and outside of the classroom. Most students here are from the suburban/urban westcoast - San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and New Mexico/Arizona.