Occidental College
1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
School Description
Provided by Occidental CollegeThe Mission of Occidental College is to provide a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, inter-dependent and pluralistic world.
Occidental offers you a unique combination of a rigorous academic program, small size, a diverse student body, and all the resources of Los Angeles. Our interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to the liberal arts challenges you to develop a wide range of skills; our close-knit community truly makes us what one college guide calls “an urban oasis.”
Twice during the past four years, Newsweek has named Occidental as one of the nation’s hottest colleges. That’s not because of any dramatic changes here. Rather, it’s a belated recognition of the core values that define the College.
Because the College regards the residential experience as an integral part of an Occidental education, all students are required to live on campus for their first three years. This allows everyone to help build a strong sense of community and enjoy the many student clubs and extracurricular activities that are available. These choices make it possible for you to pursue your multiple interests -- from music and rugby to politics and dance -- at Occidental.
At Occidental, we provide most of the basic amenities that help to keep your life in balance - practically, physically and spiritually. With most services available on campus, you can spend more of your free time doing what you want to do rather than thinking about where you have to go to do it.
Occidental College
From Wikipedia, The Free EncyclopediaOccidental College is a small, private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or Oxy as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. Occidental is noted for its combination of rigorous academic programs, a small yet diverse student body, and the resources of one of the world's major cities. It has recently gained greater attention through President Barack Obama, who attended the college for two years before transferring to Columbia University.
History
The Birth of Occidental College
Occidental College was founded on April 20, 1887, by a group of Presbyterian clergy and laymen. The college’s first term began a year later with 27 men and 13 women students, and tuition of $50 a year. Initially located in Boyle Heights, the college moved to a new campus in Los Angeles’ Highland Park neighborhood in 1898. Despite a strong Presbyterian presence on its campus, Occidental cut ties to the church in 1910. In 1912, the school began construction of a new campus located in Los Angeles’ Eagle Rock neighborhood. The Eagle Rock campus was to be designed by noted California Architect Myron Hunt. That same year, Occidental President John Willis Baer announced the trustees’ decision to convert Oxy into an all-men’s institution. However, students protested, and the idea was abandoned.
On to Eagle Rock
Two weeks after Booker T. Washington came to visit Occidental, on March 27, 1914 — the school’s 25th anniversary, Swan, Fowler, and Johnson halls were dedicated at its new Eagle Rock campus. The Eagle Rock campus covers over 120 acres (0.5 km), much of which is undeveloped land on a hill known as “Mt. Fiji.” In April 1917, the college formed an Army Corps to aid the war effort. The college opened its Hillside Theatre in 1925, and a student union in 1928. During World War II, many students left Occidental to fight the war. In July 1943, 53 students established a Navy V-12 unit on campus and left for active duty.
Quick Facts
- Location:
- Southwest
- Setting:
- Large City Setting
- Type:
- Private
- Size:
- Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)
- Mascot:
- Tigers
- Nickname:
- Oxy
Students & Campus Life
- Undergraduate Enrollment:
- 1,840
- On Campus Housing:
- Available
- Full Time Students:
- 100%
- Athletic Programs:
- Available
Degree Programs at Occidental College
Bachelor's Level Programs
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Environmental Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.See more schools with programs in Environmental Science
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Environmental Studies.
A program that focuses on environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination. Includes instruction in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science and related subjects such as policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.See more schools with programs in Environmental Studies.
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Environmental Science
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Arts & Humanities
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature/Letters
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English Language and Literature/Letters
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Film and Theater
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Film and Theater
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Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.See more schools with programs in Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
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Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
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Foreign Languages
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Foreign Languages
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Foreign Languages and Literatures
A general program that focuses on one or more modern foreign languages that is not specific as to the name of the language(s) studied; that is otherwise undifferentiated; or that introduces students to language studies at the basic/elementary level.See more schools with programs in Foreign Languages and Literatures
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French Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the French language and related dialects and creoles. Includes instruction in French philology, Metropolitan French, Canadian French, African and Caribbean Creoles, French regional dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in French Language and Literature
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Spanish Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in Spanish philology, Modern Castillan, various Latin American dialects, regional Spanish dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in Spanish Language and Literature
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Foreign Languages and Literatures
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History
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History
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History
A program that focuses on the general study and interpretation of the past, including the gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.See more schools with programs in History
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History
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Music
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Music
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General Music
A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media.See more schools with programs in General Music
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General Music
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Philosophy
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Philosophy
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General Philosophy
A program that focuses on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Includes instruction in logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, symbolism, and history of philosophy, and applications to the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines.See more schools with programs in General Philosophy
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General Philosophy
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Religion/Religious Studies
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Religion/Religious Studies
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General Religion/Religious Studies
A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Includes instruction in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior.See more schools with programs in General Religion/Religious Studies
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General Religion/Religious Studies
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Visual Arts
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Visual Arts
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Art/Art Studies
Art and Art Studies is a general, introductory program that focuses on the study and appreciation of the visual arts. Students of these two or four year programs receive instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.See more schools with programs in Art/Art Studies
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Art/Art Studies
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
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Fitness, Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Physical Fitness
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Physical Fitness
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Includes instruction in biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation .See more schools with programs in Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Physical Fitness
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Physical Fitness
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Interdisciplinary Studies
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Cognitive Science
A program that focuses on the study of the mind and the nature of intelligence from the interdisciplinary perspectives of computer science, philosophy, mathematics, psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines. Includes instruction in mathematics and logic, cognitive process modeling, dynamic systems, learning theories, brain and cognition, neural networking, programming, and applications to topics such as language acquisition, computer systems, and perception and behavior.See more schools with programs in Cognitive Science
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Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies
Any instructional program that is derived from two or more distinct programs to provide a cross-cutting focus on a subject concentration that is not subsumed under a single discipline or occupational field.See more schools with programs in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies
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Cognitive Science
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Life Science
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Biology
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Biology
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Biochemistry
Study the chemistry of living systems in these four, six, or eight year programs. Students of biochemistry learn the intricacies of the chemistry of living systems and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems. This program includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.See more schools with programs in Biochemistry
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Biology/Biological Sciences
Students in this program study general biology at an introductory level. This major provides students with a broad overview of biology and includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.See more schools with programs in Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biochemistry
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Biology
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Biology
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Mathematics and Statistics
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General Mathematics
A general program that focuses on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. Includes instruction in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.See more schools with programs in General Mathematics
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General Mathematics
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Natural Sciences
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Chemistry
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Chemistry
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General Chemistry
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of matter, including its micro- and macro-structure, the processes of chemical change, and the theoretical description and laboratory simulation of these phenomena.See more schools with programs in General Chemistry
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General Chemistry
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Geology
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Geology
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Geology/Earth Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it. Includes instruction in historical geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology, the chemistry of rocks and soils, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geostatistics, volcanology, glaciology, geophysical principles, and applications to research and industrial problems.See more schools with programs in Geology/Earth Science
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Geophysics and Seismology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physics of solids and its application to the study of the earth and other planets. Includes instruction in gravimetric, seismology, earthquake forecasting, magnetrometry, electrical properties of solid bodies, plate tectonics, active deformation, thermodynamics, remote sensing, geodesy, and laboratory simulations of geological processes.See more schools with programs in Geophysics and Seismology
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Geology/Earth Science
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Physics
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Physics
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General Physics
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Includes instruction in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.See more schools with programs in General Physics
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General Physics
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Chemistry
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Chemistry
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Social Sciences
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Anthropology
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Anthropology
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General Anthropology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human beings, their antecedents and related primates, and their cultural behavior and institutions, in comparative perspective. Includes instruction in biological/physical anthropology, primatology, human paleontology and prehistoric archeology, hominid evolution, anthropological linguistics, ethnography, ethnology, ethnohistory, socio-cultural anthropology, psychological anthropology, research methods, and applications to areas such as medicine, forensic pathology, museum studies, and international affairs.See more schools with programs in General Anthropology
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General Anthropology
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Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
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Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
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American/United States Studies/Civilization
This program studies the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the United States and its Pre-Columbian and colonial predecessors, including the flow of immigrants from other societies.See more schools with programs in American/United States Studies/Civilization
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Asian Studies/Civilization
This four year program focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the peoples of the Asian Continent. Asian Studies programs include the study of Asian diasporas overseas.See more schools with programs in Asian Studies/Civilization
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Women’s Studies
A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of women, and the development of modern feminism in relation to the roles played by women in different periods and locations in North America and the world. Programs may focus on literature, philosophy, and the arts as much as on social studies and policy.See more schools with programs in Women’s Studies
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American/United States Studies/Civilization
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Economics
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Economics
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General Economics
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.See more schools with programs in General Economics
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Other Economics
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General Economics
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International Relations and Affairs
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International Relations and Affairs
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General Political Science and Government
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies 0f specific political institutions and processes.See more schools with programs in General Political Science and Government
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International Relations and Affairs
A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, national security and strategic studies, international law and organization, the comparative study of specific countries and regions, and the theory and practice of diplomacy.See more schools with programs in International Relations and Affairs
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General Political Science and Government
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Psychology
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Psychology
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General Psychology
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.See more schools with programs in General Psychology
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Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
A program that focuses on the scientific course study of the biological bases of psychological functioning, and their application to experimental and therapeutic research problems. Includes instruction in functional neuroanatomy, neural system development, biochemical neural regulatory mechanisms, neurological biophysics, memory storage and retrieval, physiology of cognition and perception, physiological bases of psychopathology and behavioral disorders, psychopharmacology, comparative psychobiology, and specialized experimental design and research methods.See more schools with programs in Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
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General Psychology
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Sociology
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Sociology
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Sociology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.See more schools with programs in Sociology
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Sociology
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Anthropology
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Anthropology
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Technology
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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General Computer Science
A general program that focuses on computers, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, and computing theory; computer hardware design; computer development and programming; and applications to a variety of end-use situations.See more schools with programs in General Computer Science
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General Computer Science
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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Information Systems Operation and Management
Master's Level Programs
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Education
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Teacher Training
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Teacher Training
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Elementary Education and Teaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the elementary grades, which may include kindergarten through grade eight, depending on the school system or state regulations. Includes preparation to teach all elementary education subject matter.See more schools with programs in Elementary Education and Teaching
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Secondary Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which may include grades seven through twelve, depending on the school system or state regulations. May include preparation to teach a comprehensive curriculum or specific subject matter.See more schools with programs in Secondary Education
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Elementary Education and Teaching
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Teacher Training
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Teacher Training
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Life Science
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Biology
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Biology
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Biology/Biological Sciences
Students in this program study general biology at an introductory level. This major provides students with a broad overview of biology and includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.See more schools with programs in Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology
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Biology
Students
General
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Full-Time vs. Part-Time
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Men vs. Women
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Race/Ethnicity
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Geography
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In State vs. Out-of-State
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 3% |
Housing
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 72% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
Athletics
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf) Basketball (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf) Baseball (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf) Track (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 31,137 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 30,724 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 413 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 4,713 | 20% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 8,561 | 18% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 14,085 | 68% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 4,186 | 61% | |
Any Aid: |
72% |
Selectivity (Undergraduate Only)
| Acceptance Rate: | 41% (Highly Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 86% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 600, Math: 610 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 690, Math: 690 |
Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)
| Application Fee: | $ 50.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Recommended |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice |
Question: What is the average GPA of transfer students who get admitted to Occidental College?I know a majority of Occidental students are straight out of high school but I was wondering if anyone knew what they look for in a transfer student10 months ago
Best AnswerHigh School graduate or proof of completion of the GED (High School Equivalency Test) Completion of at least one semester (16 units) of academic courses at an accredited college or university. SAT or ACT scores are required of all students unless more than 5 years have passed since the completion of high school or of the GED. Although we accept applications from any student who meets the above criteria, the most competitive applicants to the College usually hold the following characteristics: enrollment at an accredited college or university for at least one year, a history of carrying a full courseload (usually defined as 3-4 academic courses) each semester while enrolled in a college or university, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better in academic coursework. |
Question: is occidental a good undergraduate college? is it difficult to get into?is occidental a good undergraduate college? i want to do either law or business is it difficult to get into?17 months ago
Best AnswerOccidental or Oxy is a very good school. Here's a link to their site http://www.oxy.edu/ The people there are very friendly and I really liked it when I visited their campus for an overnight visit. I don't believe it's hard to get in, maybe medium-ish. They have great financial aid. I applied and was accepted but went elsewhere. If you haven't visited I suggest you do. |
Question: Occidental College?is this a good school?? ive been hearing about it lately especially this time on the news when this smart kid from Europe (immigrated here when he was little) was accepted to all the ivy leagues and about 10 other really good colleges, and one of them was Occidental. i mean, if he applied to Occidental, it should be a good school right? does anybody go there? i live in new york and would it be harder for me to get in? is it hard to get in?18 months ago
Best AnswerOccidental is a good school but not in the same stratosphere as ivies. It was probably that kid's safety school. It's a solid liberal arts college with a very diverse student body. It's know to be very liberal. As a NYer you'd represent geographical diversity, a good thing. |
Question: Anybody know anything about Occidental College?I'm currently a freshman at the University of Miami but I'm thinking of transferring to Occidental. Does anybody know anything about it? Like what kind of academic reputation does it have? What are the students like for the most part? I dont really like most the students at Miami. For the most part I think they are spoiled and stuck up rich kids. They seem very superficial and materialistic and most of them are the preppy fratboy/sororitygirl type. Would it be the same thing at Occidental or are the students different there?24 months ago
Best AnswerOxy enjoys an excellent reputation. There are many reasons to go there, including the diversity of the students. Occidental has more low-income students than any other top 50 liberal arts college. To be sure, you'll find plenty of stuck-up rich kids wherever you go. However, there's plenty of down to earth people you'll meet, as well. I vaguely recall this long-haired dude from Hawaii named Barry Obama. I saw him around campus a few times, then he transferred to Columbia. Now I hear he's running for President. Go figure. I think Occidental has a great vibe. The eateries around campus like The Bucket, Casa Bianca, Tommy's, Pete's Blue Chip, and Julio's Pizza are pretty unpretentious. So even if you don't hang around with future presidential candidates, you should give Oxy a good look. |
Question: Occidental College or UC Davis?Can anyone give me some pros and cons for both of these schools? I need to decide where to go!33 months ago
Best AnswerOccidental is top in the Nation for a private non-profit Liberal arts college. UC Davis is in the UC system and is probably cheaper. It depends on what your Major will be. |
Photos
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President Taft at Occidental in October 1911 [source]
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Occidental College in the 1920s [source]
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Johnson Hall, one of the three original buildings of the 1914 campus [source]
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Johnson Student Center and Freeman College Union [source]
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Herrick Interfaith Center, built 1964 [source]
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The academic quad [source]
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Thorne Hall [source]
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