Reed College vs Occidental College

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the main academic differences between Reed College and Occidental College?

  Reed College is known for its rigorous, highly academic, and intensely intellectual environment with a strong emphasis on independent research and a mandatory senior thesis. It's particularly strong in the humanities, sciences, and mathematics. Occidental College offers a broader range of programs, including pre-professional tracks like business and diplomacy, and emphasizes a liberal arts education with a focus on global perspectives and community engagement. While both are strong liberal arts colleges, Reed prioritizes deep disciplinary study, while Occidental offers more interdisciplinary options and career-focused programs.

• How do the campus cultures compare at Reed and Occidental?

  Reed College has a distinctive counter-cultural and intellectual atmosphere. It's known for its non-conformist student body, emphasis on intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of community built around shared academic pursuits. Occidental College has a more traditional, though still progressive, campus culture. It's known for its diverse student body, active student government, and a greater emphasis on social life and extracurricular activities. Occidental also has a stronger Greek life presence than Reed.

• What are the differences in location and surrounding environment?

  Reed College is located in Portland, Oregon, a vibrant city known for its arts scene, outdoor recreation, and progressive culture. The campus is relatively self-contained, but students have easy access to the city's amenities. Occidental College is located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. This provides students with access to the vast opportunities of a major metropolitan area, including internships, cultural events, and diverse communities. The Occidental campus is more integrated into its surrounding neighborhood than Reed's.

• How do the approaches to grading and assessment differ between the two colleges?

  Reed College famously uses a 'no grades' policy in most courses. While students receive grades, they are not typically shared unless requested for graduate school applications or other specific purposes. The emphasis is on learning and intellectual growth rather than grades. Occidental College uses a traditional grading system (A-F) and emphasizes both coursework and exams in its assessment methods. Students at Occidental receive regular feedback on their performance through grades and instructor comments.

• What are the opportunities for research and internships at Reed and Occidental?

  Both Reed and Occidental offer research opportunities for undergraduates. Reed emphasizes independent research, culminating in the senior thesis, and provides funding for student research projects. Occidental College offers research opportunities through faculty-led projects and partnerships with institutions in Los Angeles. Occidental also benefits from its location in Los Angeles, providing numerous internship opportunities in various fields, including entertainment, business, and non-profits. Reed students often pursue internships in Portland or nationally.

• How do the student bodies compare in terms of size and diversity?

  Reed College is a smaller institution with an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,400 students. Occidental College is slightly larger, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. Both colleges strive for diversity, but Occidental College generally has a more diverse student body in terms of ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and geographic origin, partially due to its location in Los Angeles.

• What are the strengths of each college in terms of specific academic departments?

  Reed College is particularly strong in the humanities (literature, history, philosophy), sciences (physics, chemistry, biology), and mathematics. Occidental College has strong programs across the liberal arts, with notable strengths in diplomacy and world affairs, media arts and culture, and environmental science. Occidental's location also allows for unique programs related to the entertainment industry.

• What is the general cost of attendance and financial aid availability at Reed and Occidental?

  Both Reed College and Occidental College have similar high costs of attendance. However, both institutions also offer generous financial aid packages to students with demonstrated need. The specific amount of aid varies depending on individual circumstances, so it's essential to review the financial aid policies and application processes for each college. Merit-based scholarships may also be available.

• How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

  Both Reed and Occidental offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Occidental College's location in Los Angeles provides access to a larger network of employers and alumni in various industries. Reed College's alumni network is known for its strong connections within academia, research, and technology. Both colleges have active alumni networks that support current students and graduates.

• What are some key factors to consider when choosing between Reed and Occidental?

  When choosing between Reed and Occidental, consider your academic interests, preferred learning environment, desired location, and career goals. If you thrive in a highly intellectual, independent, and non-conformist environment with a strong emphasis on deep disciplinary study, Reed College might be a better fit. If you prefer a more traditional, diverse, and socially active campus with a broader range of academic programs and career-focused opportunities, Occidental College might be a better choice. Visiting both campuses and talking to current students is highly recommended.