@oxyida as previously mentioned, I am primarily transferring out of Oxy because I am not confident the school will provide me with a job after graduation. I am currently a Diplomacy and World Affairs student here. Even though the major is popular, the department and the career center have not been helpful in finding me summer internships out of the LA area. I am also disappointed by the lack of political diversity on campus. I have shared my experience on other threads, but primarily I found that the campus is extremely liberal leaning. Most students I’ve come across (even close friends) are incredibly reluctant to participate in conversations about differing political beliefs or to attend “conservative” events. It’s definitely a double standard; students were publicly called out for not participating in the protests last Fall and are also called out for attending a Condoleezza Rice lecture (for example). Because of my experience with students on campus, I was never able to find a community on campus where I felt like I truly belonged (and I did join several clubs and tried Greek life). So besides not bettering my career future, I have also felt incredibly lonely the past two years here. Like you, I also plan to pursue grad school or enter right into the workforce after college.
In terms of name recognition, imagine applying to med school at the University of Michigan (for example, because they have a stellar med program). Schools like Pomona or Claremont Mckenna have the name recognition that Occidental College does not. Academics may be the same, but if a grad school isn’t familiar with where you’re applying from, it could hurt your chances. Regarding premed students at Oxy, I haven’t come across many. Most of the science kids keep to themselves. Maybe you’ll be able to find a community in that program.