Devin Miller ’06 of Richmond, Ind., has taken his education into his own hands, launching an independent study project into existential psychotherapy. The cognitive science/philosophy double major is studying the work of Sartre, Foucault and Heidegger. “Oxy instills curiosity and makes students want to go out and learn a subject on their own,” Devin says. “I’ve gotten a broader sense of self and have been able to fulfill my learning goals."

He applied to Occidental after researching the College’s liberal arts curriculum. “It’s top tier and offers cognitive science, which is offered very few places as an undergraduate major,” says Devin, who also was drawn to the sunny West Coast climate. “And it’s interdisciplinary, so I don’t get stuck with an overload of any one field. I can move back and forth between philosophy and psychology and whatever else. It’s a major that’s relevant to all aspects of life."

One of Devin’s favorite courses was called “The Self,” which was taught through the Department of Religious Studies. “It explored the idea of identity and what you are in relation to others and in relation to the world,” Devin says. The course, in turn, has spurred hours of exploration outside the classroom. “I don’t think I would have guessed I’d be sitting in the Quad philosophizing with fellow students and pondering my existence as a 20–year-old,” Devin says. “I kind of thought I’d just be studying and working toward a job. I’m really surprised I’ve come out of it with a deeper sense of my life."

“Oxy has met my expectations,” adds Devin, who also keeps busy outside the classroom playing alto, soprano and baritone saxophone in the College jazz band. “The social experience has been really good for me. I’ve made a lot of good friends."