Why Oxy?

By Kevin Armstrong '01

As you look to make the decision that is going to determine where you spend the next four years of your life and impact the remainder of your life there after, it is important to look at many factors.

As a former student athlete researching schools, baseball programs and cities, it became clear how difficult the decision would be. There were colleges with great baseball programs but poor academics and then colleges with great academics but poor athletics. Many of these colleges were located far from any where I wanted to live.

After choosing Occidental, I realized that balance is the key to selecting the right college. Choosing a college based solely on athletics, academics or location will inevitably lead you to regrets. During your college career you will grow and expand your horizons and it is imperative that you choose a school that does not limit your ability to do so.

Location: Unlike any other comparable school in California, Oxy is 10 minutes from Pasadena and Downtown, 20 minutes from Hollywood and 30 minutes from the beach. Eagle Rock also enables you to stay with in walking distance of campus as it is filled with restaurants, super markets, drug stores, banks, and anything else you may need.

Campus: Oxy's campus is frequently used in movies and TV shows because it has that college feel. With the great landscaping and Southern California weather, you will frequently find yourself just sitting on campus enjoying the day.

Athletic Facilities: The weight room has recently been renovated with state of the art equipment. The all weather track was built as a training ground for the 1984 Olympics and serves as the host for the annual Eagle Rock Relays. One look at the baseball field and you'll see why it's one of the favorite fields to play on in all of SCIAC. The recently hired facilities manager who has an extensive background in golf course maintenance keeps the field in Dodger Stadium type condition year round.

Academics: Oxy's wide range of majors, small school class sizes and big school professors give you everything you need to succeed after you graduate. As an Economics for Business and Management major I frequently look back at my days at Oxy and marvel how ahead of the game I am from other people my age in the business world.

Enjoy your college decision process and the next four years, you will remember them forever.