What They Say About Us

Barron's Guide to the Most Competitive Colleges

"Oxy is a small, diverse, vibrant intellectual community, set in one of the most stimulating and creative cities in the world. The combination of its mission and location produce "an institution with intimate scale and infinite scope," as former Oxy president Ted Mitchell describes it. Los Angeles serves at once as a playground and a laboratory for students and faculty, while campus remains alive with energy and activity."

The Best 373 Colleges (Princeton Review)

"This 'very prestigious school' is 'tough academically. The work is hard, and there's a high level of work expected of all students. But the benefits of getting an education here are worth all the work.' Strong instruction is a big part of the equation; Oxy profs 'are the absolute best because they are extremely personable toward and available for the students. They have a great desire for all their students to succeed, especially those who are on the pre-medicine track.'"

The Fiske Guide to Colleges

"'Students have a voice at Oxy,' says a sophomore, 'and can easily relay their views to people at the top.' Occidental's creative, motivated, and diverse students are not here for the bright lights and beautiful people of Los Angeles; those are just fringe benefits. Instead, students are drawn to this intimate oasis of learning by professors who hate to see anyone waste one whit of intellectual potential. And students here are only too happy to live up to these lofty expectations."

Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College That Is Best For You

"Oxy has become very hot. But many guidance counselors still insist it isn't getting the attention it deserves ... Brian Aguilar, academic coordinator for the Upward Bound program at the University of California, Davis, called it 'a small private liberal arts college with an excellent academic reputation.' "

The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges

“Oxy, as it is more commonly known, was one of the first schools to include the word 'diverse' in its mission statement, and the community lives up to that goal. Although it is a very small school, Oxy provides diversity not only in the student body, but also in the breadth of academic options, the expansive extracurricular opportunities, and the great resources of Los Angeles that make the school unique."

ISI's Chosing the Right College

"One of the strongest impressions Occidental College makes on a visitor is the deep love and loyalty of Oxy students for their school. Occidental students are generally effusive in their praise. 'I really love it here!' 'This is such an awesome place - the campus, the classes, the people.'"