火爆社区

Occidental College, in northeast Los Angeles, offers undergrads an 鈥渋ntellectually stimulating鈥� environment, one that 鈥渞eally encourages [them] to take a proactive role in their education鈥� and 鈥渆xperiment with a wide range of courses.鈥� As this student shares, 鈥淚 love the interdisciplinary aspect of academics. I can really tailor my coursework to what I am interested in.鈥� Undergrads also appreciate that Oxy emphasizes a global perspective. Beyond traditional study abroad programs, students can enroll in courses that include an international field trip. For example, they might travel with faculty to study marine biology in Costa Rica or music history in Austria. Students can also apply to spend a semester at the U.N., completing internships with country missions or various NGOs. Back at home, undergrads have classes with professors who 鈥渆ncourage critical analysis, ask interesting questions, and allow students to create informed opinions about the subject.鈥� They also do a great job of 鈥渇inding ways to connect [their] lectures to the real world.鈥� Perhaps more importantly, Oxy professors are 鈥渧ery willing to have students help them with their research.鈥� And while they work hard to ensure their 鈥渃ourses are challenging,鈥� it鈥檚 clear the faculty 鈥渨ant to see you succeed.鈥� Undergrads report that instructors often 鈥済o the extra mile to make themselves available鈥� and that 鈥渢here are plenty of opportunities to get extra help on the tough material.鈥� Best of all, it鈥檚 evident that professors 鈥渁re invested in cultivating real relationships with students.鈥�

One of the many reasons students love Occidental is because it鈥檚 really easy to find 鈥渁 good niche of close friends at Oxy.鈥� As one undergrad notes, 鈥淚f you鈥檙e involved on campus, expect your friend group to continually grow.鈥� This welcoming and supportive nature even extends into the classroom, where 鈥渢here is a communal desire to help each other succeed.鈥� Undergrads assert that their peers are 鈥渟ocially and politically conscious鈥� and care deeply about issues affecting the world at large. Although some do acknowledge that it can feel as though the school maintains an 鈥渙verwhelmingly left-wing atmosphere,鈥� they also insist that 鈥渆very student at Oxy treats all persons equally, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious views,鈥� and most are readily 鈥渁ccepting of different opinions.鈥� Indeed, there鈥檚 an emphasis on inclusion and visibility that is evident from groups like the First Gen Coalition and Chinese Culture Club, as well as themed housing like Women in Wellness and The Latinx Culture Collective. These all make it easy for students to foster a strong sense of community at Occidental.

As you stroll around the campus, it鈥檚 not hard to see that students are 鈥渆xcited to be at Occidental鈥� and 鈥減eople are really passionate about their extracurricular activities and internships.鈥� Undergrads can join a wide range of groups, including a sketch comedy troupe, a fiber arts club, and a food justice organization. Sports are also a popular social outlet. In fact, 45% of the student body is involved in athletics, be it a varsity, club, or intramural team. Additionally, school-sponsored events are typically well attended. Students often flock to hear 鈥済uest speakers [or participate in] dialogues and workshops.鈥� They also love going to the 鈥渄ances, trivia nights, movie screenings, fashion shows, concerts, and food tastings鈥� that Oxy organizes. And of course, off-campus 鈥渉ouse parties are a huge source of fun on the weekends.鈥� And speaking of off-campus, undergrads appreciate that they have 鈥淟os Angeles as [their] backyard,鈥� especially since the school is 鈥渘ot isolated from the surrounding community like many other college campuses.鈥� It鈥檚 common to see students hitting up 鈥渕usic shows, bars, and clubs鈥� or heading out to 鈥済o to the beach, go shopping in L.A., go out to eat in Eagle Rock, and go hiking.鈥�

Overall, 鈥淥ccidental does a great job of providing its students with excellent resources and opportunities,鈥� and this certainly extends to career services. Indeed, as one junior succinctly states, the 鈥渃areer development support is fantastic.鈥� Undergrads really appreciate that Oxy runs a robust internship program, one in which they can earn course credit. Students also have the opportunity for 鈥渢ransformational summer experiences with employers throughout the Los Angeles area鈥� through Oxy鈥檚 flagship InternLA program, which awards them a stipend and places them in real-world work situations at nonprofits. Not only can students earn academic credit for many of the internships arranged through the career services office, but it also provides them with invaluable insight into potential career tracks. Lastly, according to PayScale.com, the median starting salary for recent Oxy graduates is $66,900, and 56 percent of students report taking away a great deal of meaning from their job.