What began as a tentative return to the classroom for transfer student Ty Lyman ’27 became a journey of confidence and discovering Occidental as a place where he belonged.
When I began taking classes at Pasadena City College in 2022, I approached it as more of a loose experiment than a bonafide re-entry into education. I was simply dipping my toes, testing the temperature, keeping any kind of commitment to education at arm's length due to fear of failing.
As I continued to take courses at PCC, I began to gain confidence, eroding any fear of failure. I learned that I could be a good student, that my future was not dictated by my difficult experience in school as a youth. At 29 years old, I decided that I wanted to earn a degree by transferring to a four-year college.
When it came time to apply, I had set my sights on the regular rogue's gallery of California institutions: UCLA, USC, Berkeley, UCSD, and so on. My confidence was high, as I even applied to places like Stanford and University of Chicago. That said, I had not actually done much research into other schools.
At the strong urging of a cherished professor, I added Occidental to the application list, not knowing what a liberal arts college was at the time. But that professor assured me that Oxy had a fantastic program in my field of study, and I trusted and valued her judgment. She talked about the small class sizes, the quality of the professors, and the beauty of the campus.
When I received acceptance letters in the Spring of 2024, Occidental offered me the best financial aid package of any school, so saying "yes" was a no-brainer.
Oxy has welcomed me with open arms, and a year later, there is no doubt in my mind that I am a valued member of this beautiful community.
My professor was absolutely right: thank you for that input, Dr. Anderson!
Oxy is an incredible institution. I cannot imagine getting a better education anywhere else, and I've become a liberal arts college cheerleader. I have a brother who transferred into a top UC the same year I transferred to Oxy, and the differences in our respective experiences has given me even greater appreciation for my college. The best way to describe the difference between his school and mine is this: at one school you are a drop in the pond, a tiny fish in a vast and competitive ocean, while at the other you are an essential piece of the whole. Oxy has welcomed me with open arms, and a year later, there is no doubt in my mind that I am a valued member of this beautiful community.
This college is truly special, and I'm endlessly grateful that a few conversations with my professor pointed me toward it. If you are a transfer student and you find yourself weighing your options the way I once was, then consider Occidental. Like me, it might turn out to be exactly where you belong.