An hour-long video call with a current student about campus life, academics and juggling soccer and rugby convinced Drey to travel from Hong Kong and enroll at Occidental.
Drey Chan
Hometown: Hong Kong
Major: Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture and Theater & Performance Studies
What were some of the things you were looking for in a college and how did you first learn about Occidental College?
I first came across Occidental College in the "See Also" section of Fiske Guide to Colleges while researching schools my college counselor had recommended as a starting point.
Academically, I knew I wanted a small classroom environment where I could build meaningful relationships with my professors and engage frequently with my classmates. I also had a wide range of interests and knew I wouldn't be ready to commit to a single major right away. A small liberal arts college that encouraged students to explore different departments and areas of knowledge was exactly what I was looking for. Double majoring is very achievable at Occidental. Since every major requires students to take courses outside their department, some of those same courses can fulfill many of the requirements for a second major.
While comparing schools, I made a spreadsheet that listed all the factors that were important to me. For me, these were location, climate, campus dining, housing, and the presence of and support for queer students. Coming from Hong Kong, I grew up near the mountains, beaches and city, so I ruled out schools that were secluded from the outside world or in a cold climate. As an athlete and singer, I take my physiological health seriously, and I also like eating, so I also wanted access to good food options. Therefore, Oxy's ranking among the top five colleges for campus dining in California (Niche.com) became a major factor in my consideration.
I never considered double majoring a possibility, and so I had kept theater and performing arts in my back pocket as a hobby; I [soon] realized that double majoring was very achievable.
Describe the moment when you knew Occidental was your final choice. What are the reasons you decided to enroll?
I was interested in playing both soccer and rugby. So I contacted the rugby captain to ask if it would be possible to do both sports at Oxy—since schedules might clash. They connected me to someone who was juggling both sports; I reached out, and we ended up video calling for over an hour. Our connection and conversation felt very natural, I really liked their vibe, and it made me feel good about Oxy that a senior student was willing to give me their time when I wasn’t even committed to Oxy (or any schools) yet.
What misconception did you have about Occidental when you applied?
I was surprised at how close students and faculty were. It’s amazing to be able to chat with the professors who are so smart and cool as an undergraduate student. This connection and vibe extends to the general Oxy community as well. I’ve gotten to know other staff and faculty through my friends, on-campus jobs and school events.
Another thing I hadn't considered was how accessible research and internship opportunities are for undergraduate students. Oxy offers dedicated summer research and internship programs across a variety of departments, including opportunities that support students from underrepresented backgrounds.
As a first-generation student, I didn't expect to become as involved in the Oxy community as I have. During my first summer, I conducted sociology research despite not having taken any sociology courses. This summer, I'm interning with the Office of Admission.
As an international student, I also appreciate being able to stay on campus during academic breaks while earning money, because flights back home aren’t cheap.
What would you tell a student who is considering Occidental right now?
It’s okay and totally normal to feel nervous about college! It’s also really exciting because you meet so many cool people, and you have way more autonomy over your life and academics. College classes are more specific so you’re able to dive deep into things that you’re interested in, while exploring other topics not taught in high school. I always tell incoming college students that your college experience is really what you make it. The opportunities at Oxy are bountiful, you just have to take initiative and advocate for yourself.