<p>Does anyone know how many applications were received this year as opposed to last? Was wondering what the trend is for Oxy.</p>
<p>thanks in advance</p>
<p>sorry I don't think so yet. the deadline was fairly recent, and they are sure to post numbers somewhere in the near future, as Oxy likes the publicity surrounding this sort of subject.</p>
<p>actually, I heard from somewhere that our numbers actually increased (something like 5900 versus 5800)</p>
<p>Went on a tour with S on Wednesday. Admissions told us that applications were up by several hundred. I don't recall the number for last year or this year to give the comparison.</p>
<p>Here’s an article on it: [Occidental</a> College :: Applications to Oxy Set New Record – Again](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/x8518.xml]Occidental”>http://www.oxy.edu/x8518.xml)</p>
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<p>it would’ve been cool if it was 6,000 solid.</p>
<p>do you think obama influenced the number of apps?</p>
<p>^ We actually had an opinion article in the Oxy Weekly about that. Some students thought so, and others thought not. I personally believe that he likely brought a good amount of exposure to the college: usually a lot of kids don’t even know that Occidental exists (despite the fact that a disproportionate amount of grad schools/employers think very highly of Oxy).</p>
<p>I bet it had a small impact, but nothing too great because the increasing number of applicants is a trend (there was a pretty big leap this year though, so that’s why I say he had a small impact rather than none).</p>
<p>Oops, I was looking at the number of applicants from US News and World Report’s list, not Oxy’s (dumb, I know:p). So because the increase was not as big as I thought as it was, I’m changing my position and saying that Obama had no effect.</p>
<p>At any rate, I hope the people that applied due to Obama’s influence aren’t particularly well-qualified. As I recall, during my tour there were several families that discussed Obama throughout. One (black…) mother even went so far as to say her son will be next. That’s when I gagged into a planter.</p>
<p>Haha, not really. But I have wanted to go to Oxy for a few years, so I hope the new popularity doesn’t stunt my chances.</p>
<p>Yeah, heaven forbid black folks have aspirations for their children.</p>
<p>Not many people go around saying their 17 year old son/daughter is going to be president. It’s sort of arrogant.</p>
<p>I don’t think you understand the pride that many African Americans feel right now. Yes, parents are going around saying their children can be president. It’s the first time in their lives that they can say that and it feel like it’s really possible. That woman is probably in her forties. That means when she was born black people still had to sit at the back of the bus. They still couldn’t drink from certain fountains or pee in certain toilets. She probably grew up hearing about Rosa Parks and the Little Rock Nine. She probably lived through the assassination of Dr. King. And most certainly before a couple of years ago she never could have imagined a Black president as a reality. So yeah, I’m willing to forgive her “arrogance,” since it comes from a good place that we can all be proud of.</p>
<p>Right. I’m all for that, but there’s a difference between “can” and “will.” Absolutely, a black person can. Will her son? Probably not.</p>
<p>*Same goes for all other races.</p>
<p>i agree with gwu. </p>
<p>anyhow, i hope occidental accepts more people this year due to the economy. that might offset the increase in applications. or i could be totally wrong and the acceptance rate will drop tremendously.</p>
<p>Ehh the rate will probably drop, but I wouldn’t say “tremendously”</p>
<p>Thanks north_face</p>
<p>I’m positive Obama had an effect on the school. People here in France applied for that reason only.</p>