<p>What's it like to be near LA? </p>
<p>I pictured it to be a traffic-filled, high-crime city and not a college city like Boston which downsizes on many of the problems of city life by offering more to students. Some of the pictures on Occidental's website show LA as very flamboyant. Does living in Eagle Rock ever get overwhelming? How is the campus of Occidental?</p>
<p>Occidental and the neighborhood around it is not overwhelming... its like a green oasis. In addition I really like the architecture around the campus. </p>
<p>Its not really "city life" in the traditional east coast high density term. Its more spread out than that so it doesnt become overwhelming.</p>
<p>I got waitlisted at Oxy but I visited and interviewed there last September. The surrounding area is sort of old and not attractive or affluent-- don't expect to see like manicured green lawns and stuff around there. It's not a bad neighborhood per say, but it is in a lower-income part of LA, make of that what you will. </p>
<p>Looking at the school itself: Oxy is VERY different from the surrounding community. The school itself is pretty attractive-- open space, nice architecture, lots of places to just sit outside and enjoy the SoCal sunshine (wasn't smoggy at all when I went there, at least). There were squirrels and big trees almost everywhere. There's a really futuristic fountain (that was filmed on a Star Trek episode-- or maybe one of the movies), where they throw you in on your birthday. The dorms aren't special but they're pretty decent. The cafeteria, I thought, was pretty beautiful-- dark wood floors and tables, high ceilings, great expansive window views. Everyone is dressed in shorts and tank tops or T-shirts. I encourage you to visit, it's a pretty good deal at Oxy.</p>
<p>As far as the relationship between Oxy kids and the surrounding community: I don't know. I've heard from some students that the people in the neighborhood hate them because there's always some straggling drunks ending up near or at the homes, nevermind the actual noise coming from parties at Oxy. My interviewer (who I didn't really like and who didn't seem all that enthusiastic about moi, either) said that Oxy students have a good relationship with the community and they interact when they do community service and stuff. Well, okay, if that's what she says. </p>
<p>I'm sure there's some tension between the community and the students, but isn't it that way with all colleges?</p>
<p>Best wishes-- visit Oxy soon! Hope I helped even just a little.</p>
<p>I loved the campus. The architecture is astounding. The track is beautiful and the theatre has nice greek doric columns. The surrounding community is mexican and low class. So Oxy really is a metrapolis. It is like 15 min. from downtown L.A.</p>