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Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA
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Occidental College

Photo: Occidental College. Retrieved from: www.oxy.edu

Occidental college is a private, co-educational liberal arts college that is home to ambitious young minds that go on to earn Ph.D.s and terminal degrees in big universities. Occidental College is lovingly called by its nickname “Oxy” and is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. Students can expect rigorous academic programs, an active and diverse student body, and the best faculty. Many Oxy students have been awarded prestigious awards like the Rhodes Scholarship, Truman Scholarship, Watson Fellowship and Fulbright Scholarship.

The Core program comprises several subjects meant to enhance the liberal arts education in the institution. Students are asked to finish two first-year writing seminars, a specific number of courses in geography, languages and the arts, three courses in math and science, and a senior year comprehensive examination.

In Occidental College, there are various opportunities to challenge one’s self with projects outside the curriculum. Two of the popular ways to expand learning in various fields are student research and international study. In the former, the interested students can collaborate with a faculty member to complete various projects that may require laboratory work. Research fellowships are available for students. International programs include off-campus study in countries like Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania. This is a yearly option that many junior students take.

Occidental students also have a chance to work as interns in the United Nations Program in New York, but only a few brilliant students are selected. Other institutions accepting Occidental interns are the US State Department and international NGOs.

School History

In 1887, Occidental College was founded by a cluster of Presbyterian clergy and laymen, particularly James George Bell. The college opened to admit 27 men and 13 women students. The campus was moved from Boyle Heights to Los Angeles in 1898 in the Highland Park neighborhood. Occidental College became non-sectarian in 1910 when it cut its ties to the Presbyterian Church. In 1914, the school was relocated in Eagle Rock, covering 120 acres of undeveloped land.

In 1962, Occidental College rose to prominence when Time Magazine described the institute as a little giant, emphasizing the rapid growth of the institute after the war. In the late 1960s, student activist movements were many and frequent, as many students supported the anti-war campaign. During this time, the college also made positive changes in policies regarding students belonging to ethnic minorities.

Campus life

Student of Occidental College are socially active, intellectual and talented. Administrators and students work together to create a community that embodies mutual support, tolerance and respect. Residential Education and Housing Services manages all aspects of residential life on campus, and this administrative body takes charge of room draws, hall spreads, community forums and study breaks.

Students can choose which residence halls to live in, with trained resident assistants to help with moving in and adjusting to dorm life. RAs also act as mentors and trusted allies that make living on campus enjoyable. There are game nights or group discussions in residence halls. Some houses also offer off-campus educational trips.

Many students immediately join fun organizations like improvisation clubs, theatre clubs and writing clubs. Non-varsity sports like rugby are also popular. Many students join the student government and work hand in hand with the admin to oversee the activities around campus.

Financial Aid

Financial aid packages include grants, scholarships, work study programs, and student loans. To qualify for aid, the student must submit all documents on or before the deadline. The Financial Aid staff accepts inquiries over the phone, such as when a student cannot submit a specific requirement on time. But the documents must be submitted by mail, email or fax. The average loan a student owes after graduation is approximately thirty thousand dollars.

Ranking

2017 College Rankings
Best Colleges - Academic Challenge

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Overview

Despite college rankings and countless beautiful college websites, most students and families know very little about the actual student experience at particular schools. College websites, campus tours and conversations with high school guidance counselors provide very limited information.

The Voice of the Student Survey compares the responses of over 7,500 liberal arts college undergraduates on more than 40 questions about college life. As a result, we learned what “real life” looks like at individual schools.

Some of the best (and worst) performers in our research are surprising. Some are among the U.S. News & World Report’s top ranked liberal arts colleges in the country, while others are ranked much lower but provide a successful student experience.

Our Liberal Arts Insider members know exactly how these colleges compare.

We surveyed thousands of liberal arts students to help you get the real scoop about the student experience… the good, the bad and the ugly.

Campus Community Coach & Safety Sherpa

How safe, accepted, and comfortable students feel on their college campus is one of the largest influencing factors as to how satisfied they feel with their college experience. Having a tight-knit college community is the cornerstone of a successful college experience, as proven by our Voice of the Students survey.

We can compare what the college brochures advertise to what students are actually experiencing; sometimes the admissions representatives have no idea how students on their campus really feel. This “Community” section is a way to find out exactly what students think about their campus, in their own words. Here, we have data about student satisfaction, housing, social cliques, and student’s sense of safety.

Get Our In Depth Analysis of Liberal Arts Colleges

The smartest way to cut through the college marketing hype and pick a college that is a perfect fit for your child is to become a Liberal Arts Insider member. Our research reveals inside information that colleges will never tell you.
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Academics Advisor

Without a doubt, academics are a major focus, if not the top priority, for many college students. Schools will often advertise their classrooms as collaborative, but we’ve found that students sometimes describe the academic environment as highly competitive. Are students helping each other with academic work or trying to get ahead? Do students spend every waking moment with their nose in a book?

We asked students both qualitative and quantitative questions to find out how the academics at this school challenge them, and contribute to their college experience. Find out directly from the students how they feel about academics, challenging or otherwise, at their school.

Get Our In Depth Analysis of Liberal Arts Colleges

The smartest way to cut through the college marketing hype and pick a college that is a perfect fit for your child is to become a Liberal Arts Insider member. Our research reveals inside information that colleges will never tell you.
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Social Life Navigator

In addition to academics, social life is integral to the campus experience, and it’s dictated by a few different elements. Do students feel discriminated against based on their identities? Where do students spend most of their time socializing? Do drugs and alcohol dominate the social scene? This is the kind of information that schools will NOT advertise.

So, to find truthful answers these to questions, we asked students for their perspectives. We looked into social aspects such as extracurricular involvement, opportunities in the local community, and alcohol/drug culture on this campus.

Get Our In Depth Analysis of Liberal Arts Colleges

The smartest way to cut through the college marketing hype and pick a college that is a perfect fit for your child is to become a Liberal Arts Insider member. Our research reveals inside information that colleges will never tell you.
Learn More

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