I’ve been looking at schools in Southern California and heard about Occidental. From what I’ve seen it’s beautiful and in close proximity to LA, which is something I like a lot. My stats are pretty similar to what they accept so I was considering it a match until one of their college admissions officers came to talk to students at my school. I’m worried they’re looking for a different kind of student than I am. I’m for sure mostly interested in science and it seems they’re known for international relations/diplomacy/that kind of stuff. The guy said that they’re looking for students passionate about social justice, and students who are worldly. I am very liberal and fully support all social justice movements but I wouldn’t consider myself involved. I’ve also never been super into world affairs- the extent of what I know is things I’ve had to research for debate team. I got enough language credits to graduate, but I dropped Spanish after my freshman year so I could take more sciences classes. Is this stuff a deal-breaker for someone like me (stats aren’t sky-high above the ones they admit, white girl from an upper middle class area)? The way the admissions officer was talking, it seemed like it was. Thanks so much.
Most colleges want a diverse student body. Don’t take yourself out of the running. Put your best foot forward and highlight your talents and how you contribute to your community at present.
I actually think you’d do very well. My student is a conservative Christian who attends Oxy and is a hard science major. It doesn’t get more off the mark than that for Oxy. I was concerned that she would find a lot of adversity and a lack of acceptance at Oxy but she’s doing great! She’s found her “people” and loves that her science classes are small and interactive and offer a chance to really get to know the professors in a personal way. If she can thrive at Oxy I know you can too!! I will add this, however. As a hard science major be prepared to study and be more focused than some of those around you. There are some students who are able to party and still succeed in their classes. She has found that the hard science majors aren’t really afforded that luxury unless they are just uber-brilliant.
Don’t be afraid of what the adcon said. if an LAC is what you’re looking for (and they are great for science majors), you’ll be fine. Just look at PhD rates and Med School rates for Oxy if you’re wondering (that research may take some digging but info is out there).
Most LACs talk about social justice, blah blah, and Oxy does have a distinctive in being focused on ‘worldly’ stuff (DWA is a major in Diplomacy and World Affairs). This is unusual and interesting for an LAC and the reason they talk it up. But they are solid in the sciences too.