Occidental College Top Questions

We are diverse, but spend a lot of effort dissecting our diversity, which oftentimes unintentionally separates different racial, economic, and social groups. Students use I statements, "I feel, I think" or phrases like "it seems like" to avoid confrontation, or to ease confrontational language. I wouldn't say the open minded steryotype always rings true, we like to think we are though. Also I do not feel that Oxy is an overtly political campus; people take stands on issues and are VERY vocal, but don't always have to statistics or information to back up their claims.

For some people.

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.

Yes, overall the student body is comprised of mainly "left wing" students, however there are many strong minded conservatives present as well. No, all the girls are not ugly. There is a good amount of attractive girls, but yes, there is an even larger amount of socially awkward, unattractive girls. Yes, we hear about the racial issues every year, and they all generate a lot of publicity. However, for the most part, that's all they are: in my opinion, people wanting attention!

Oxy is a very small school and sometimes it can feel stifling if you spend all your time on campus. It is really important to go into Los Angeles and explore all that it has to offer.

Though Oxy isn't a huge party school, students definitely enjoy partying. There is always someone down to drink or smoke, but people are very focused on their studies as well. Even though most students are liberal, you can easily find more conservative people as well.

Although the school is small, the students certainly do know how to have fun, and being located in the LA valley gives us ample oppurtunities to do so.

I think this stereotype is true...a lot of Oxy students are from the northwest and bay area and are not really into the whole LA dieting/anorexic/paris hilton thing--although most students go often campus often to explore the great city.

yes, for the most part

While there is a strong core of the student body that strongly believes in these values and works towards their realization, the college as a whole is lacking in awareness and there is a counterpart of the student body that is extemely apathetic.

most of the time, yes. But some of the time def. not.

Sure, the students at Occidental have no choice other than to be dedicated to their work, the teachers are there for you and almost every student chooses Oxy for that very reason. Well, that and the beautiful weather in LA.

For the most part Oxy is very diverse by numbers. The students are accepting of all different kinds of people. And we do fit the typical "liberal arts persona" of a well-off (financially) student body.

you may feel like you know every one but try branching out and doing something you have never done before and you will meet oxy people you have never even seen before. There is a tendancy for information to spread fast.

Personally, I found neither of these stereotypes to be accurate.

for the most part. many students do not take aadvantage of the fact that the school is located in Los Angeles and dont realize until senior year that they still hardly know the city.

yes with some variation

No, a large marjority of the students are on financial aid or scholarships and work during the school year.

Not at all. We have an extremely diverse campus, in more than just race but also background, interests, style, and income.

The school as a whole is very liberal-minded but there are conservative students on campus who tend to be relatively quiet about there views. Also, over half the school is from out of state, including myself, which gives the school a nice variety.

The campus has a wide array of diversity, but I think that the extensive pressure to be non-marginalizing makes us more so.

Yeah.

While I do know of students who applied to the Claremont Schools, I think most of us came to Oxy beciase it called to us and because we felt at home there. I think Oxy is lucky to have us and we are lucky to have Oxy: It's not a school you just "settle" for. I do think that the stereotype that Oxy is a lberal, scoially aware and P.C. campus is true.

I think so, for a majority of students. But there are definitely conservative ones... you just have to know where to find them.

The dental school stereotype is absolutely untrue, Occidental prides itself on its nearly exclusive focus on undergraduate education. The stereotype that Occidental students are excellent communicators is absolutely true, as evidenced through the many conferences that Oxy students excell in.

We are pretty politically active, there are a lot of vegetarians and vegans, most of the student body is very liberal, we do work hard and play hard, and I think the campus is very friendly. As far as diversity goes, for a small private school, we do have a good amount of diversity, but it's not like white kids are a minority or anything.

yes, but diversity is usually simplified to racial diversity when there are other forms of diversity

Does cost a lot of money to attend the institution. Occidental has been referenced as an "Ivy League West" school. Called "Princeton of the West" when orignally founded. Most students do come from privileged backgrounds. Diversity is enforced dramatically compared to other educational environments. Athletic teams are competitive and overall successful within the conference. NOT a dental school.

Yes. I run into diversity not just racially but more interestingly intellectually.

Not necessarily. There are many Republicans and even Libertarians that make their voices heard on campus; but, at the same time, there is certainly a left-winged bias on campus.

Oxy definitely does not have that much influence from LA. While other schools in the area's stereotype of stuck-up people is actually true, Oxy kids for the most part are more down to earth.

I think that for the most part they are. There are always improvements to making diversity more of a priority on this campus, but I think that when compared to some of our sister schools, Oxy offers the type of environment where concerns and change are more likely to occur.

It depends on what you want from diversity. Do you want students and professors of different races and urban/rural areas? That much is true. But the thought process is all pretty much the same.

Yes and no. For the most part, the majority of the student body are democrats, there is a sizable group of conservatives. I guess one issue that will need to be dealt with over the next few years is to provide a better platform for differing political stances to have space to speak on campus.

I think that this can be accurate, but its mostly unfair. Anywhere you go you'll find people you think are sheltered and close-minded. Finding the people who aren't that way is the best part about meeting and getting close to people in any environment--thats the fun part!

These stereotypes pinpoint Oxy.

For the most part, this campus is very liberal in both their views concerning politics and the social environment here at school, but for the most part we are not snotty in our beliefs. Some may feel otherwise, especially if one is more conservatively inclined, but even at this campus, because diversity is so revered, there is a niche for them.

Fairly accurate

No. Unlike other small liberal arts schools, Oxy is in the middle of a the growing and very urban Eagle Rock which allows for daily opportunities to get off campus and into the world. Also, while Los Angeles and Oxy are very liberal places, there is a larger emphasis on respect for all political ideas and there is often discussion and debate without negative interactions or assumptions about different political views.

Yes.

For the most part most of the students on campus are liberal, but there are a fair amount of moderates and conservatives. Most people are open-minded and that is where the stereotype comes from.

While the school promotes diversity, many students feel uncomfortable speaking about issues of race or ethnicity; even entering the multicultural hall can be an uncomfortable experience for some students who are not of color. OXY does promote dialogue when it comes to politics, but the main voice you hear is democratic.

To some extent, but every school has its folks who party.

We're certainly given a strong education in the practice of proper rhetoric so that no mater what subject we discuss we speak precisely and intelligently, whether it's an issue of politics or pop culture. Students, though practiced in this level of discourse, are hardly the kind of anal retentive asshats that being "politically correct" would lead people to think, the school represents a fairly liberal slice of the population, but has enough diversity that everyone falls into the natural flow of discourse well enough so long as they do so with open minds and intelligently. As for us being over-educated, I can't say i see that as a negative since there's really no such thing.