<p>Congrats everyone! Does anyone know when Oxy sends out merit scholarships? Or did anyone receive merit scholarship along with their acceptance letter?</p>
<p>Congratulations to the accepted students! I suspect my D regrets not applying ED, this is our first experience with a LAC and we have much to learn. We need to discuss whether she should go for ED2. </p>
<p>And thank you to those who responded to my question about job prospects, it sounds like Oxy provides a very sound basis to move forward in life.</p>
<p>We did not hear anything about merit aid but assumed it would have been sent with acceptances. If no one has heard, perhaps there’s still a possibility.</p>
<p>How’s the LGBT scene at Oxy?</p>
<p>How important are interviews?
has anyone who hasn’t interviewed been accepted?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My sister was admitted last year without an interview.</p>
<p>It’s been awhile! Welcome to the class of 2016.</p>
<p>Re interviews: they’re moderately important. They will not make nor break an applicant, but the way Oxy admissions works is the 4 admissions staff (it might be 3? or 5? anyway) will each read an application in full, each make a decision about acceptance/rejection/WL, then round-table as a group to talk about the applicant. If the vote isn’t unanimous, they’ll talk it over, and it definitely helps if you are a strong interviewer because then whoever interviewed you can vouch for you (and they do, if they feel strongly). For this reason it’s best to interview on campus with one of the admissions team if you can.</p>
<p>Also, to the person who asked about the LGBT community on campus: people here are very open and welcoming of all genders, sexualities, identities, etc. We celebrate Coming Out Day every year and QSA puts on various events throughout the year as well. The LGBT community is prominent in student leadership and Greek life, and from what I can tell LGBT couples feel quite safe displaying PDA on campus ;-)</p>
<p>Also, a note about career prospects after Oxy, because what momsquad posted is probably freaking out a lot of people who visit this page!</p>
<p>Oxy students are well-prepared for post-grad jobs, just as well as any student may be from a reputable school that teaches their students to work hard. My graduated friends have jobs in marketing, finance (Wall Street right out of college? Yes please!), and management of professional sports teams, to name a few. </p>
<p>In addition, Oxy was recently ranked by Forbes on their list of colleges with recent grads with the highest salaries. This is not because recruiters show up on campus and solicit our students, but because Oxy students are smart, hard working, and global citizens. Our location in Los Angeles is prime for internships of every variety, and our classes/curriculum place high emphasis on thinking outside the ivory tower of intellectualism. </p>
<p>The career center on campus is a great resource for internships and jobs, and alumni love to support fellow graduates. </p>
<p>Anybody trying to get a job anywhere right now is bound to run into some job uncertainty. That’s unfortunately the economic climate we live in. Oxy students on the whole are successful after college (at least, I know of no homeless Oxy grads) and I personally am not worried about finding a job once I graduate. </p>
<p>Finally, getting a law degree is not a terrible idea. Yes, there is an overabundance of trained lawyers. But who said getting a law degree meant you had to be an attorney? And even if you want to be an attorney, if you’re smart and love law I don’t see how you wouldn’t succeed.</p>
<p>Centercup,
Thank you for all of your helpful information. I was wondering if you knew anything about merit-aid notifications. Does Oxy notify students of their merit scholarship through the acceptance letter? or do they send a notification of the student’s scholarship after they have received their acceptance letter? If anyone could reply to my post that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>How is the social scene at oxy? Is there always something to do (when you aren’t studying, of course!)? </p>
<p>How often do you go to LA? Is it fairly easy to get there?</p>
<p>I am an international student applying to Occidental college for 2013 admission, Oxy is my first choice. How is it with financial aid to international students? Do you have to be an especially good candidate to get admitted AND offered any form of financial aid? I got 1970 in my SAT I (CR 700 M 590 W 680) what are my chances? I have A’s in all my national standardised tests and many extra curriculars (but unfortunately not in one single concentrated area), I also hope to be getting good letters of recomendations and am taking more academic courses than average in my country(Britain) and all of which are considered highly rigorous. I really want to go to Oxy, i’m just worried that my needing financial aid will greatly hinder my chances since i don’t have ‘the perfect SAT score’ and have not done anything particularly outstanding.</p>
<p>Thank you, centercup, for taking time to respond to concerns regarding interviews. As an intern working in the Occidental College Office of Admission, I would like to correct some misinformation in the response and provide a detailed description of the College’s admission process and interviews for prospective students. </p>
<p>Interviews are not required. They do tend to add depth and personality to an application which of course can be helpful–but they are only a small portion of the College’s overall holistic process. Most important in the process will be the choices made in one’s high school curriculum (rigor, well-roundedness, good grades), the writing as evidenced by the Common Application essay and Oxy’s required short answer supplement, the letters of recommendation from two teachers, and one’s extracurricular activities. Please keep in mind that the Office of Admission won’t hold it against a student for not having an interview. </p>
<p>There are 7 admission officers, plus a director and VP. All 7 admission officers interview students–on- and off-campus in various cities with lots of interest in Oxy. There are Senior Fellows who also interview students in our office. They are senior students who have been thoroughly trained to interview students and provide evaluations similar to those of the admission officers. There is also a network of alumni interviewers all over the U.S. that will offer interviews. They, too, have received training, and offer an evaluation.</p>
<p>No type of interview is preferred over the other. Students are encouraged to pursue the interview option that works best with their schedules.</p>
<p>For more information about interviews, please visit: [Occidental</a> College :: Interviews](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/x1978.xml]Occidental”>http://www.oxy.edu/x1978.xml)</p>
<p>In regards to the decision-making process, all applications are read at least twice. And one of the readers is the student’s area expert–meaning they are charged with looking into the student’s particular school to understand the academic and social offerings, level of rigor of the students academic choices, etc. Often times they are also the person who makes the school visit to your high school in the fall. (However, Oxy can’t visit all schools each year, so admission officers are still assigned geographic territories to learn about for when the applications come from those unvisited areas.) Both readers make recommendations on what will happen to the application. Some applications are obvious admits; some applications are obvious denies. Many applications will go to “committee” and will receive further review once we understand the overall applicant pool. While a positive interview can only help the admission office’s understanding of a student, it also wouldn’t be the main tipping point of getting in to the class. It’s just one piece of the puzzle–and a good interview with an alum, a Senior Fellow, or an admission officer is all the same.</p>
<p>If anyone has further questions, they should feel free to contact the Office of Admission, since we are happy to explain all of this in depth! You may contact the office at <a href=“mailto:admission@oxy.edu”>admission@oxy.edu</a> or 323-259-2700.</p>
<p>Hello! I’m a current freshman who is looking to transfer to Oxy. Do you know how transfers are accepted over there? (socially and transfer acceptance wise) And also how is the International Relations department? Thank you!</p>
<p>OxyIntern-
Thank you for taking our questions. It’s good to know that no prejudice is given in regards to an “interview-less” candidate. I was a little nervous. I have read many “accepted” posts from excited Early Decision I applicants, and I was curious as to when Early Decision II applicants would be notified. I read on the website it said late January, but is there a date when all letters are sent across the country, or are they sent at varying times on a “complete application, send acceptance” basis? Also, I read that merit scholarships are awarded at time of admission. Does this mean we will be notified of any merit scholarship we may receive when (hopefully) getting an acceptance letter? I’m so anxiously waiting an ED II decision from Oxy! Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Hello everyone! Thank you all for your inquiries. I was away for a few weeks due to my winter break, but I will try my best to address each question as soon as possible. I appreciate your patience! Feel free to keep the questions coming.</p>
<p>Britishstudent - Financial aid for international students is limited and therefore the admission process is competitive, but I wouldn’t deny the idea of applying to the College just yet. I recommend calling or emailing the admission office to ask your questions so that we can address your specific concerns. In the meantime, you can view detailed information on financial aid for international students at the following link: [Occidental</a> College :: Financial Aid for International Students](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/x1989.xml]Occidental”>http://www.oxy.edu/x1989.xml)</p>
<p>OxyIntern - Thanks for the reply! I’ll be sure to contact the admission office :)</p>
<p>icemangervin26 - Financial aid packets will be mailed in with acceptance letters. If a student has received a merit scholarship(s), it will be included in the financial aid information.</p>
<p>heartmonster - For information on the transfer application process, I highly recommend checking out the following webpage for information on eligibility and application requirements: [Occidental</a> College :: Transfer Students](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/x1990.xml]Occidental”>http://www.oxy.edu/x1990.xml)
In terms of transfer students’ social experiences at Occidental, I have known them to be very positive when talking with the transfer students I know. Many that I know do not have trouble getting involved with activities on campus, making friends, and taking on leadership positions. To read a few narratives on current transfer students, feel free to browse these student features to learn more about their experiences at Oxy: [Occidental</a> College :: Sara McKnight '12](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/x11972.xml]Occidental”>http://www.oxy.edu/x11972.xml)
Occidental offers many excellent majors and departments, with one of the most popular being Diplomacy and World Affairs (DWA). Graduates with a DWA degree have gone on to work for the State Department, the UN, different graduate programs, and multiple non-profit organizations. The department is famous for offering students the unique opportunity of interning at the UN in New York City. For more ifnormation on the department and the UN program, please check out the following webpage: [Diplomacy</a> & World Affairs | Discipline with Attitude](<a href=“http://college.oxy.edu/dwa/]Diplomacy”>http://college.oxy.edu/dwa/)</p>
<p>theatregeek108 - What I like about the social scene at Oxy is that there is something for everyone. The College offers multiple dances throughout the year as well as movie nights, taste-offs, and concerts/performances. Students may also get involved with Greek Life and/or different clubs that put on their own events for members and the student body. There are also great places to go out in Eagle Rock and the greater Los Angeles area, especially places to eat. It’s nice to have a car on campus so that you can drive to different areas of L.A., but public transportation is available and you can also ask your friends with cars for rides (like I do a lot of the time).</p>
<p>Hello, I’m currently a junior in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oxy is my number one choice but I am highly doubtful of an ED acceptance due to VERY low stats (relative to other applicants). </p>
<p>OxyIntern, you mentioned that there are “obvious denies” in the application process. Is someone like me, with a unweighted GPA around 3.4 an “obvious deny”? My weighted GPA is 4.1 if that is relevant…</p>