Founded in 1887, Occidental College fully integrates the liberal arts and sciences with the cultural and intellectual resources of one of the world's great cities. Situated on a 120-acre residential campus in the heart of Los Angeles, our location serves as a springboard for putting theory into practice and ideas into action. At Oxy, students spend as much time in the lab, the field, the community and the studio as they do in the classroom. Oxy is a place for talented, hard-working, curious students to explore their current passions—and discover new ones. They benefit from our small-classroom environment and demanding yet supportive faculty, who are as dedicated to teaching and mentorship as their research. Our distinctive interdisciplinary and global approach gives students the chance to explore new ideas and perspectives, and connect with the world. With more than 40 majors and minors, one-of-a-kind programs like the Kahane United Nations Program and Campaign Semester and our emphasis on research through the Undergraduate Research Center and senior comprehensives, Occidental lays the groundwork for a compelling intellectual adventure. And the academic rigor on campus is enhanced by internships and partnerships across L.A., Southern California and beyond. Our graduates are strategic thinkers and effective communicators. Uncommonly inclusive and consciously collaborative, our students seek to embrace difference and make a difference in the world. Occidental is reinventing the liberal arts and sciences for a new generation of problem solvers, creators and thinkers. It's an education that is distinctly Oxy.
About
From the School
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Campus Visits Contact
1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314
Experience College Life
Clapp Library
Samuelson Pavilion (The Cooler)
The Quad
Alumni Gymnasium Fitness Center
Taco Trucks
Downtown LA
Old Pasadena
Little Tokyo
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800-825-5262
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Average Length: 1 hour
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Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Occidental is committed to admitting and enrolling a highly qualified and diverse student body. To that end, the admission committee evaluates each applicant individually and holistically. Academic preparation is paramount, so we will closely examine your high school transcript, focusing on your performance and course rigor. We also give serious consideration to qualities such as motivation, intellectual curiosity, leadership ability, and distinctive talents. Your personal statement, short answer responses, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation offer us valuable insight into these areas.
Whether you are applying as a first-year or transfer student, the following materials must be submitted by the appropriate application deadline with a non-refundable application processing fee of $65 or a fee waiver:
— Completed Common Application
— Short answer responses
— High school transcript
— Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
— Personal statement
— Letters of recommendation
To learn more about the application process, visit oxy.edu/admission-aid/apply.
Overview
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Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 15
Early Decision II — January 10
Regular — January 10
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Application Essay
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Academics
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From The School
Academic Programs
The foundation of our commitment to a liberal arts and science education is embodied in the Core Program, an interdisciplinary set of courses required of all students. Core courses provide the intellectual foundation for Oxy's commitment to its mission of equity, excellence, community and service. They explore the big questions that we believe all students should address in order to participate fully in their college education, vocations and lives.
Research opportunities are possible for students in every discipline. For more than 15 years, we've offered a full-time Summer Research Program, an experience that often results in co-authored publications and positions students to win prestigious awards and gain entrance to graduate programs. As scholars equally committed to teaching and research, our professors open doors and champion student work. They drive an approach to the liberal arts at Oxy that encourages students to venture outside of their comfort zones. With a class size averaging 19 students, and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students get to know their professors and their classmates, engage in critical discussion, and learn from and about one another.
Every Oxy student completes a Senior Comprehensive Project, a project reflecting Oxy's educational philosophy of learning deeply and independently. Comps take a variety of different forms: projects, fieldwork, theses, exams, presentations, or creative works. Each discipline defines its comps expectations differently, and they all challenge and inspire students in unexpected ways. Many of our students draw senior comps inspiration from their multicultural surroundings in Los Angeles as well as research and exploration abroad.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Occidental offers 45 majors, minors and programs across our departments, as well as countless opportunities for independent research and experiential learning.
Majors Offered:
American Studies
Art and Art History
Biochemistry
Biology
Black Studies
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Classical Studies*
Cognitive Science
Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture
Computer Science
Critical Theory & Social Justice
Diplomacy & World Affairs
East Asian Studies
Economics
Education*
English
Food Studies*
French
Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies*
Geology
German*
Group Language
History
Independent Pattern of Study
Interdisciplinary Writing*
Japanese Studies
Kinesiology
Latino/a and Latin American Studies
Linguistics*
Mathematics
Media Arts & Culture
Music
Neuroscience*
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Public Health*
Religious Studies
Russian*
Sociology
Spanish
Theater
Urban & Environmental Policy
* Minor only
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Area Studies, Other.
East Asian Studies.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Comparative Literature.
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
French Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Cognitive Science.
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
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PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Music, General.
Students Say
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Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Cost of attendance for 2019-20:
Tuition: $55,980
Room & Board: $16,034
Required Fees: $596
Total: $72,610
Financial Aid
We extend financial aid through merit scholarships, need-based grants and scholarships, work-study and student loans to meet the various needs and circumstances of our students. Our aid programs often make Oxy's cost comparable to those of public institutions.
If you are interested in Oxy, we encourage you to apply for financial aid—regardless of your financial circumstances. The New York Times has consistently ranked Occidental as one of the country's most economically diverse colleges. The Financial Aid Office is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated need of every enrolled student.
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Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Students come to our residential campus from all over the world, each contributing their unique perspective to our ongoing conversation. Oxy students come from 49 states and 64 countries; international students make up 7% of the student body. From academic initiatives to a thriving network of student clubs and multicultural living communities, Oxy is a place for nuanced, sophisticated discussions about our differences, our similarities and where we can go from here.
About 20% participate in the Greek system, more than 25% are varsity NCAA Division III athletes, and hundreds more compete in year-round club and intramural sports.
Residence life is the heart of the student experience at Oxy. More than three-quarters of all students live on campus in one of 13 coed residence halls, including four reserved for first-year students.
Students consistently give Oxy's on-campus dining high marks. Not only is the food delicious, but Oxy's Dining Services is also environmentally friendly, taking part in the Real Food Challenge by providing local, organic food in the dining facilities.
Oxy students don't just take classes. They take charge and create new opportunities for innovation and learning. Oxy students thrive in their extracurricular pursuits, running over 100 clubs and organizations.
Dance Production, which features the work of student choreographers and dancers, is the largest student club on campus and sells out each of its three annual performances. For the vocally inclined, Glee Club has been a central part of the Oxy community since 1906. With L.A. being the home to a large portion of world media, it's no surprise that our students show interest in these areas. KOXY radio and the student newspaper The Occidental give students avenues for expression. (The Occidental alumni include two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists.)
As the hub for community-based arts at Occidental, Oxy Arts promotes a socially-conscious, interdisciplinary conversation about contemporary arts practices on campus and in the community. Oxy Arts also serves as a comprehensive source of information for arts events and cultural happenings, including music, theater, film, the visual arts, literature, and art history.
Oxy students are running small businesses and departments on campus every day. From the student-run Green Bean Coffee Lounge to Oxy Design Service and the Bengal Bus shuttle service, student initiatives provide essential services and job opportunities that have led to post-graduation jobs.
Reaching out and supporting other areas of L.A. is important to Oxy students. From tutoring and mentoring to preparing meals for those in need, Oxy has a rich tradition of students partnering with the local community.
Sustainability is a passion for many Oxy students, and food plays a big part in that. That's why the Oxy campus has a student-run organic garden and a student-managed bike-sharing and repairing program. The student government Renewable Energy & Sustainability Fund supports student sustainability projects that make Oxy a better place to study and live.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Nestled in the hills of Los Angeles' Eagle Rock community and replete with natural beauty, the Occidental campus is both peaceful and a place of palpable energy. Though downtown Los Angeles is mere miles away, our picturesque campus defies the stereotype of an urban college. We reside on 120 acres studded with century-old oak and eucalyptus trees, graceful arches, and halls built in the Spanish Colonial style. Planned in 1911 by noted California architect Myron Hunt, the Oxy campus reflects a rich history; today, state-of-the-art science facilities are just down the path from beautifully preserved historic buildings.
At Oxy, you get the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a picturesque, residential campus plus access to the educational, cultural and recreational resources of a global city. Our location in one of the most vibrant, dynamic cities in the world makes an Oxy education like no other. L.A. lives up to its laid-back reputation, but under the surface the city is a hotbed of activity. The world's third-largest metropolitan economy, it's also the entertainment capital of the world, an international trade center, and home to the 2028 Olympics. And when it comes to career exploration, the possibilities for internships and other professional and post-graduate opportunities are endless.
Engaging with L.A. is an important aspect of the Oxy experience. Our curriculum gets you actively involved in addressing real-world issues, often with one of our many community partners. You might spend a day on the Pacific Ocean trawling for fish eggs, tutoring young students in urban schools, or conducting geology fieldwork in the Mojave Desert. And professors tap into the city's wealth of expertise by bringing guests from a variety of fields into the classroom. L.A. is also home to world-class museums, theaters and music venues; scenic hiking trails; impactful volunteer opportunities; and restaurants from every country on the map. Quite literally, there's something for everyone.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
The European-style 400-seat Keck Theater and attached shop is the main venue for Theater Department productions. (All stage sets and costumes are produced in-house.) Art students have access to multiple studio spaces, including printmaking, printing and sculpture studios, and three galleries.
In addition to standard science labs, Oxy has a superconducting magnet, a world-class paleomagnetic laboratory, a complete geochemical/environmental lab with an inductively-coupled plasma spectrometer, and a fission track lab.
Occidental's internationally known natural history collections, including the Moore Bird Collection and the Cosman Shell Collection, provide cutting-edge opportunities for genomic research.
Special Collections in the Library is home to one of the world's leading collections of material relating to the poet Robinson Jeffers (Oxy Class of 1905), a World War II Japanese-American relocation archive, and the 16,000-volume Guymon collection of mysteries and detective fiction.
Los Angeles weather allows for year-round use of outdoor athletic facilities, including Kemp Stadium, a practice venue for the 1984 Olympics. The new De Mandel Aquatics Center, featuring a 25-yard by 34-meter pool and an attached recreational pool, is designed to foster the highest level of competition at Oxy.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Whether you hail from five miles away or 5,000, Oxy will challenge you to explore your academic interests in contexts beyond the classroom and Los Angeles. Three-quarters of our students pursue Oxy's multiple routes to global citizenship: traditional study abroad, and research, internships, and fellowships on six continents.
Oxy offers the country's only residential undergraduate United Nations program. Students of all disciplines can spend a semester in New York City, taking classes and working as interns at UN-related organizations. Every two years, students get the chance to participate in Campaign Semester, spending the term working on key elections all while earning course credit.
InternLA is a unique summer internship program that funds more than 35 students to intern in Los Angeles based organizations and companies in six broad sectors: business, policy, media, research, advocacy, and the arts. Students intern full-time for 10 weeks over the summer while also enrolling in a weekly on-campus educational component.
Occidental has a strong history of producing winners of national fellowships and scholarships, a reflection of our rigorous undergraduate preparation. These highly sought after and extremely competitive awards give Oxy students opportunities to pursue advanced study and research at home and abroad.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Dorms Female
Frat Sorority
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
Psycho-educational evaluation/assessmentDocumentation Required for ADHD
Psycho-educational evaluation/assessmentSpecial Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Water Polo
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Water Polo
Student Services
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: USC
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: UCLA
Sustainability
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/