<p>I have a few friends who go to Occidental, and it's my top college choice at this point. I really want to love this place, but every person I've asked about nightlife has given me a completely different answer. One person says it's a crazy party atmosphere, another says nightlife is "severely lacking." You get the idea.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if a current Oxy student could help shed some light in this area? A school's nightlife is important to me, and I definitely plan on having fun in college, but I'm not interested in a jock-central school. I'm a laid back person who likes a chill, no-stigma environment. Could I fit in here?</p>
<p>Hi afarmer! You could definitely fit in here. I think the reason you’re hearing so many different responses about the nightlife is because there are so many different options. Oxy is a really diverse school with students that have all different kinds of interests and ideas of fun. There are definitely parties on the weekend (which can be really fun). But there are also a lot of people who like to just hang out and relax on weekend nights. The houses and sororities & fraternities don’t have the massive budget to throw weekly extravagant parties like they do at other state schools, though. But if you want to experience some parties like that, USC and UCLA are nearby, and a lot of my friends have spent a weekend or two there. Overall, I think the Oxy nightlife is what you make of it. There will definitely be parties to attend on the weekend, but they’re also not your only option.</p>