http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html Life at OCC - Comments en http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html Maybe OCC was a different school in 1953-1955. I arrived there after 4 years in the Marine Corps, without a high school diploma and ultimately got my BS degree in mathematics ( Thanks, Mr. Charles Lew... Mon, 11 May 2009 12:44:18 GMT StudentsReview 1748-60186 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1748-60186 1748 0 Unknown Male Undergraduate Class 1955 2nd Year Positive Maybe OCC was a different school in 1953-1955. I arrived there after 4 years in the Marine Corps, without a high school diploma and ultimately got my BS degree in mathematics ( Thanks, Mr. Charles Lewis ) and my MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering. My transfer to a 4-year university was a pleasant surprise, because I was academically well ahead of my classmates. Mon, 11 May 2009 12:44:18 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html [I attended a Cal State in the past and went to OCC while waiting to transfer to another 4-year school, so I already have some experience with different types of schools and how they compare to each o... Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:54:31 GMT StudentsReview 1748-58580 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1748-58580 1748 6 Biology Female Undergraduate Class 2009 1st Year Positive [I attended a Cal State in the past and went to OCC while waiting to transfer to another 4-year school, so I already have some experience with different types of schools and how they compare to each other.]

I loved my time at OCC. Sure, it's kind of like high school all over again and everyone commutes, but it's a community college... what else would you expect? It's the perfect size-- not too tiny where you'll run into the same people in all of your classes but not big enough to feel like just a number. The classes are small and you can get a lot of individual attention from your professors, something that you definitely don't get at a 4-year school. I also found that most students are pretty friendly and the faculty are very accessible and have a lot more genuine interest in their students' success.

The campus is really nice and a lot of the buildings are newly remodeled-- the Art Center is impressive and the Lewis Science building even has its own mini-aquarium! Most classrooms have updated technology and there are tons of computers all over campus for students to use. The cafeteria serves full on restaurant-style food and there's a Starbucks on campus as well.

All in all, I found OCC to be worth every penny of my tuition. I saved a ton of money knocking out a bunch of lower division classes and boosted my GPA as well. If you're part of the small percentage of students that already know what you want to major in and are thinking about grad school, you'll easily succeed here. Take advantage of the lack of competition and get involved in clubs and other extracurriculars because once you transfer, you'll be fighting with hundreds of other like-minded students for president of club such-and-such (looks good on resumes) or TA for your favorite professor (they can write awesome letters of recommendation).

It's a perfect transition between high school and "real college," and in retrospect I wish I would have started at OCC for all of my lower division courses and then transferred to a good 4-year school. Forget the stigma about going to a community college first, it's totally worth it and you'll probably have a better chance of getting into a top university than if you go straight from high school (assuming you're not one of those freakish geniuses that got higher than a 4.0 and took 9 AP classes, of course). Good luck! Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:54:31 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html This would be a great school if you have a plan of where you want to transfer to with a specific major. It allows for some pre-reqs to get knocked out at a cheaper price. The problems I had with the s... Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:05:45 GMT StudentsReview 1748-53917 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1748-53917 1748 10 Civil Engineering Male Undergraduate Class 2009 1st Year Negative This would be a great school if you have a plan of where you want to transfer to with a specific major. It allows for some pre-reqs to get knocked out at a cheaper price. The problems I had with the school is the level of education you receive. I had straight A's and completed the honors program but still wanted take higher level classes. I was unable to get accepted to two of the schools I wanted to go to because my courses weren't challening enough in their eyes. I had appealed to take higher level classes with four different division deans at OCC only to be denied by everyone of them. They didn't look at any of my information, they just said no. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:05:45 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html If you're a serious student who wants to transfer to a cal state or UC, here are the steps you have to take: 1) Pick a major (and stick with it, stop changing your mind or you'll be stuck at a CC for... Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:39:40 GMT StudentsReview 1748-44984 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1748-44984 1748 58 Political Science Female Undergraduate Class 2008 2nd Year Advice If you're a serious student who wants to transfer to a cal state or UC, here are the steps you have to take:
1) Pick a major (and stick with it, stop changing your mind or you'll be stuck at a CC forever)
2) Meet with a counselor at the Watson Hall to plan out your coursework. Also use www.assist.org to find out which classes match up with calstate/uc classes.
3) GO to class and LISTEN to the professor. DO THE READING and take GOOD NOTES. Study study study consistently throughout the semester. Cramming is immature, you are better than that.
4) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS. Finish 18 units of Honors classes, AND complete the eligibility form. Some UCs give guarantee acceptance. UCLA has the TAP program that significantly boosts your chances of getting in (90% accepted).
5) Some professors really suck. Always check ratemyprofessor.com to get a feeling for who you'll be stuck with for 16 weeks. Don't always pick the easy A's. Choose professors that will challenge you, especially those that emphasize ESSAY EXAMS to prepare you for upper division coursework when you transfer.
6) If you absolutely have to withdraw from a class, 2 or 3 W's will not affect your GPA or hurt your chances of transferring. Only withdraw if you know you're going to fail.

I'm in my last semester of OCC now, going to either UCLA or UCI. Aside from social life, OCC is a fine institution. I have to say this before I stop typing - don't get sidetracked and remain focused on your goals. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:39:40 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html There is so much negative to say about this place I'm not really sure where to begin. I guess I'll just give out some general information. This "college" feels more like a highschool. Its like I'm in ... Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:28:48 GMT StudentsReview 1748-44764 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1748-44764 1748 33 Physics Male Undergraduate Class 2008 2nd Year Negative There is so much negative to say about this place I'm not really sure where to begin. I guess I'll just give out some general information. This "college" feels more like a highschool. Its like I'm in some stupid ass MTV teen reality show that sucks. It seems like the majority of people that attend this school are all from the highschool right across the street. They have little to no clue of any of the world outside of "Orange County". The majority of the teachers here really need to take lessons on how to teach. Granted that most of them do know the material, they just don't know how to teach very well. It seems like while in class I learn more about their personal life and opinions then I do about the subject matter. Its very easy to just skim through with out learning a thing. The only thing this school is good for is saving me money on education. It doesn't prepare you for a 4 year college. I've gone to this school for 2 years now and have no better understanding of anything then before I started. It seems that the only thing teachers here know how to do is give out large reading assingments from the textbooks. They give you nothing new.
I don't want to be completely negative, there are a few exceptions. Some teachers are very interesting and can teach great. However, its the majority of bad teachers here that unfortunately ruin it for the good ones. Over all this school sucks. If you have a mental age that is over 16 this school is not for you. If you think I'm kidding or being to extreme then I recommend just going here on a school day. Just stand back and take a look around, listen to what people are talking about. Ask a passing student a question and see what kind of response you get.
I hope this review helps. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:28:48 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/CA/OCC_comments.html