Got questions about OXY?

<p>Ah, they probably got a flood of applications at the deadline. It probably just isn't in the system yet. I applied last month, but only found out about the checklist recently, so I don't know how long it took me to get into the system.</p>

<p>Hey, so i am kind of nervous about whether or not to attend Occidental because I heard they only give out "liberal arts degrees". Does that mean I cannot get a Bachelor's in Biochemistry? How is the science department at Occidental?</p>

<p>Oxy does have science programs, but you get a BA instead of a BS. I've compared the cirriculum between Oxy science and other programs that grant a BS and it doesn't seem that different. Oxy has a good selection of science programs, but there isn't a lot of selection for courses. That being said, Oxy does have an exchange program with Caltech that allows you to take classes there. There isn't a biochem major, btw.</p>

<p>^ There is a biochemistry major. It's an interdepartmental major with Biology and Chemistry.</p>

<p>Would it be hard to double major in economics and diplomacy & world affairs and minor in Chinese?</p>

<p>I'm interested in StevenSeagal's question as well. Is it possible to double major in Diplomacy and World Affairs and Environmental and Urban Policy?</p>

<p>another question: is it true we can't have space heaters in the dorms? haha i was sad about that. i like my room warm! :P</p>

<p>I read on Students Review that Oxy is really clique-y because it's small; any truth to that?</p>

<p>And how are co-op/internship opportunities?</p>

<p>mistkae: you are going to be in LA! why on earth would you want to heat your room.</p>

<p>iskander: hahaha i already live in LA, so i'm cold in anything under like 72. :P</p>

<p>Is is easy to get into? Do many students take advantage of it?</p>

<p>^I was also wondering about Study Abroad opportunities…I really want to go to Ireland, England, or Scotland! Can any current students give some info on the study abroad program?</p>

<p>Prospective student here, just wondering:</p>

<p>1) Are there any on-campus restaurants/cafe? If not, what are the nearby restaurants?</p>

<p>2) How would you describe the students there? (eg: hipster, preppy, liberal, etc.)</p>

<p>3) How difficult are the classes (like on average how many people get A’s in a course)?</p>

<p>4) How’s the internet/computers in the campus?</p>

<p>Last question directed to hopefully some Occidental graduates here:</p>

<p>5) Coming out of Occidental, did you find it easy to get a job?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I’m a current student</p>

<p>1) There’s just the campus dining hall, another miniature dining hall/hangout spot, and a late night coffee cart. All are operated by meal money - which is included in Room/Board. Eagle rock has so many ethnic places. One of my favorite is called Spitz - a sort of mediterranean place where they have Kebab Sandwiches, sweet potato fries, and gelato. If not eagle rock then you can find anything in pasadena, a 10 minute drive away - or even downtown LA (15-20 minute drive)</p>

<p>2) The students here are not preppy. You have to visit to get a good feel. I would definitely say liberal with a dash of hipster. There are all types here though.</p>

<p>3) I would say it’s pretty easy to get a B in a course (Average student gpa probably hovers around a 3.0). If you do your work though, and tried hard in high school, it’s fairly easy to get an A. My high school was ridiculous, and I actually find Oxy to be slightly easier than my high school. Note that at most all colleges, an A=4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0 … etc. </p>

<p>4) First semester our internet sucked, but they increased the bandwith and it’s fine now. The whole campus has wireless internet. There are a good amount of computers in the library/other study places. Most people have laptops though (many with macbooks). </p>

<p>Sorry I can’t answer 5, but there are a number of surveys out there which say that Oxy grads make about as much as Pomona grads. I’ve read a bunch of literature about how employers really like Oxy grads, since they know about the school. (Funny that a lot of kids don’t know squat about Oxy, but grad schools/employers know all about it!) </p>

<p>Hope that helps! </p>

<p>Source: I’m a first year student at Oxy.</p>

<p>prospective student here.
Yes, I admit, Oxy wasn’t my first choice and I always wanted to go to a pretty big university like USC. Do you think that I won’t have any problems adjusting to Oxy under the feeling that I would like a bigger university better?
Is there a pre-med option at Oxy? Wikipedia didn’t say there was ><</p>

<p>You really need to visit for yourself. If you don’t visit, you’re putting yourself at risk for not liking the school. </p>

<p>Any school has a “pre-med” course of study. There is no such thing as a “pre-med” major - it’s just a series of courses which allow you to apply to medical school: two years of chemistry, one year of biology, one year of physics, and some math are the minimum.</p>

<p>Hi, few questions from a prospective student.</p>

<p>First, does Oxy have General Ed/Breadth of Study requirements where you have to take a certain number of units for each required area of study? I can’t find anything about it in the course catalog.</p>

<p>Does Oxy only offer merit scholarships to you as a freshman, or can you earn one in later years that you weren’t offered before if you do well?</p>

<p>How is the average nightly workload for Oxy students? Is it very stressful or do you feel students have a good balance of studying and other activities?</p>

<p>And if there are any English majors out there, how strong is Oxy’s English program compared to those of other liberal arts schools, and how intense is it?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>My D has decided, and it’s Oxy! California, here we come. :)</p>

<p>A couple of questions:</p>

<p>1) What dorms do freshmen usually end up in? Is there a chance to express a dorm preference?</p>

<p>2) What meal plan do you recommend? Do you find that you usually have enough $$ on your plan?</p>

<p>Thanks much!</p>