Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Reviews

Orange Coast College

Bill from Kenai, AK

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Depending what you want to Major in or what your course is there are some teachers that are great and some that arent as great. I suggest you use ratemyprofessor.com before actually signing up for a class. Other than that most of the teachers hear at OCC seems to be great, but you just got to land on the right teacher.
Am enjoying being here
Its right next to Newport Beach/Huntington Beach and South Coast Plaza mall. Its located in a safe area with a good community atmosphere. The weather is just great warm all year long and no snow. You get to meet lots of new people and that is always a plus.
Bang for the buck
Located in Southern California in Costa Mesa is OCC and yes it is worth living down here. But I did not give it a 5 star because their out of state tuition is ridicolous. I have had some Football teammates from FLorida not come back because of the Pricing of Living and School. Overall what Can people say, Its located in one of the nicest and richest place in America, the Orange County.
Tips for prospective students
Orange coast college is a great college to attend If you are living in California..But when you are an out of state student It is like $200 a credit/unit compared to California Residency $20 a credit/unit. Just get your homework done and don't party too much because you can easily loose focus of school work being around OCC. If you plan to join any school activities or clubs I suggest that you do because just like any college, its always a great thing to meet new people.
Great for these types of students
OCC has a great tradition of fine athletes including baseball, volleyball, football, cheer, and more. I am an athlete here and just having a blast. Its a good film school from what I've heard. Its just a good community college just to get your AA and school overall.

Jessica from Costa Mesa, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am definately learning a lot at this school. Because of the variety of classes that are offered I have been able to explore and expand my horizons and as a result I have learned some many useful things about so many different areas. In addition, the teachers and professors are amazing. They are always willing to help you if you have questions and they are always willing to meet with you outside of class in their office hours and most of the time not during their office hours as well. I have found all of the professors very helpful and encouraging as they truly exhibit teachers that want to see their students succeed.
Am enjoying being here
I do enjoy the school a lot. This is because I have been able to take some pretty amazing classes and learn a lot from them. However, I feel that I could enjoy the school a lot more if I had the time to spend participating in all of the various clubs and activities that the school offers. From what I have heard these clubs and activities are very fun and the students who are in them become very active in the club and in the school. So if you are a person who loves to get involved this is definately a good college for you.
Bang for the buck
I would say that if you truly pick classes that you know you will enjoy and if you make every effort to get anything and everything out of those classes then it is definately worth the money you pay. However, I do think that the prices are a little expensive. I would say that the most expensive things that you have to buy are the books. The books prices, in my opinion, are rediculuosly over priced as I have been able to find the same books in the same condition for a fraction of the price they are sold at the bookstore. But overall, I think that if you truly get as much as you can out of the classes then the prices will be worth it in the end.
Tips for prospective students
Overall some tips for prospective students include:
- Take advantge of the variety of classes offered
- Explore classes for your major
- Plan out the classes that you want ahead of time because the classes fill up really quickly
- Ask teachers lots of questions...use the knowledge they have to offer
Great for these types of students
This amazing school is a great fit for many different kinds of students. It is great for athletes as the teams there are very good and have high reputations. It is good for students who want to be involved as there are many, many different ways to be involved whether it is through clubs or student leadership or just being able to interact with people that you would not normally interact with. It is also great for photography and film students as the program there is one of the best in the nation. It is good for culinary arts students as the program is one of the best. Overall, it is good for just about anybody! Just remember that this amazing school is not only one of the best it is the top community college in California in addition to the second best in the United States!

Sarah from Westminster, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
It really depends on the class you take and if you take it for credit or for units.
Am enjoying being here
I am not involved on campus, but the environment is friendly. A lot of students smoke cigarettes.
Bang for the buck
Compared to UC's and Cal States for sure! But the price just went up from $20 to $26.
Tips for prospective students
Park early. Sign up early. Classes fill pretty quick and it is hard to petition.
Great for these types of students
Great for disciplined students that can create and keep their own schedule.

Jacob from Huntington Beach, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am learning a ton! My desired career path is Accounting and this school knows how to prep. All my lower division classes will have been completed prior to transfer and I saved big! Only down side is the required classes for AA degree...a lot of could-live-without-teachers.
Am enjoying being here
The campus staff is super friendly and are always advertising their services to students. The campus map is posted on every corner and the smell of freshly cooked food plumes in the air from the culinary department. The only downside to this is the cigarette smokers...they should be gone by next year though :D
Bang for the buck
I am taking 19 units right now and the cost for all the classes and books put together was around 800 dollars. Talk about a steal!
Tips for prospective students
Be sure to take your ACT test or SOAR test prior to application. Also apply online for classes ASAP the date they provide you with is the first day you can apply and that is the day you should only apply. Classes fill fast here so you got to be on top of things.
Great for these types of students
-Undecided Career
-Still want to be home
-Love the community
-want something to do
-prepare me for the 4 year university

Marat from Panorama City, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The most fantastic aspect of college is to feel that one is actually learning; acquiring knowledge by grasping new concepts, exploring different viewpoints, and improving at critical thinking. While high school often left me dozing through class, Orange Coast College has proved to be an engrossing experience if one actually wishes to further the bounds of their mind. Every teacher I have had uses a slightly different style to teach, but all have been wonderful in getting their subject across. Difficulty across classes has varied, but that is to be expected. Yet despite the variety in how complex the subject matter may be across disciplines, each class was still able to stimulate me intellectually. The main complaint I have is that the Orange Coast College online database does not have a significant amount of journals and articles. Several times I had to go to other universities to have access to certain journals for research assignments. However, it is a community college after all, so having a massive database when it only offers associate's degrees would be rather unexpected.
Am enjoying being here
If you're here to learn, this community college is great. For those who get satisfaction from acquiring knowledge, the experience will be greatly enjoyable. Teachers are very helpful and pleasant to converse with, and as long as you're willing to visit them during their office hours they will gladly aid you in whatever questions you may have. The campus itself is nicely kept and pleasing to walk through. This prior semester reconstruction was being done on the cafeteria building, so getting food on campus was a hassle, but this is only temporary. This college is also surrounded by many other restaurants and food joints within a fairly close distance, so running off campus to grab a bite is not a problem. There are clubs and extracurricular activities offered, though you obviously have to seek this out on your own time and hope the time slots fit into your schedule.
Bang for the buck
Tuition has gone up to $26, and budget cuts have affected the amount of classes available, but OCC is not one of the best community colleges without reason. It is definitely worth every penny, and if you are worried about the cost chances are financial aid will have you covered. Textbooks are expensive, as anywhere, but using the library as a substitute to buying or renting the book is a viable (and free) alternative. Orange Coast College is an excellent place to get an associate's degree, get further training, or save money by covering the required general education classes before transferring to a university. The only downside for the price would be for out-of-state students, who have to pay nearly ten times as much. But for anybody residing within California, it is a stupendous deal.
Tips for prospective students
If you are out of high school, you do have to take into account that this is still a place of higher education, even if it is not a university. More is expected of you, and all the responsibility lies on your shoulders. Many classes are structured in a way where an absence can be very detrimental to your grade, and turning homework in late may not be an option. So realize that it is your choice to be here, and you shouldn't waste this opportunity.

General advice would be to keep dates constantly in mind, such as financial aid deadlines and registration dates. Register for classes as early as possible! They fill up fast, and I've seen the number of petitioners outnumber the amount of people in the class itself. If you are driving, arrive early because finding parking can be a drag. Overall, be responsible. Do not half-ass your work, pay close attention, and if you feel you need help take your OWN time to visit your professor. Procrastination does work for some; it certainly has for me. But be aware of your capabilities, and if you're not sure of what you are able to manage, it is better to be safe than sorry. Give yourself more time than necessary to do assignments and study until you understand how you function best.
Great for these types of students
Anybody looking to go to a university but either didn't do well in high school, isn't able to afford it financially at the moment, or just wants to get a better feel for what is to come should consider attending community college. No matter what discipline you plan to pursue, Orange Coast College is a fantastic place to attend for any person seeking to better themselves.

Domenica from Westminster, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This college is GREAT! The classes and specially professors are of a high quality. Just like in any other college, some teachers are hard, others a little bit more lenient. Therefore I suggest you to visit www.ratemyprofessor.com first to see the rate of your professor in mind. Either she/he is hard or easy, you will learn a lot! It is just really up to you and what you want to get out of it.
Am enjoying being here
So many awesome people! the diversity of people and ethnicity is incredible. Also, the clubs available are so fun! I personally have joined three clubs, and all of them are very well organized and I have participated in many super fun outside of school activities! And even better, those clubs help you not only on meeting new people but also academically.
Bang for the buck
Everyone knows that college books are not cheap at all. But it all depends on the class you take and the professor you have. The teacher might not even require a book, or lets you buy any edition of the book either in amazon.com or anywhere else is cheaper for you. But either way, the book at Orange Coast College are not expensive like in other Colleges or Universities that i have had the opportunity to compare with.
Tips for prospective students
College is not any similar to High School!! So do all your homework and do well the first year of college. It should be the easiest semester. So if you don't want to stay behind do you best from the beginning so you don't have troubles trying to catch up the rhythm of studying well.
Great for these types of students
willing to learn and take advantage of the many opportunities this colleges offers.

Jasmine from Costa Mesa, CA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
orange coast college is one of the best community colleges in california, in transfer rates, athletics and academics. there are so many resources and opportunities to succeed and move forward, weather you want to transfer to a university or to get a certificate. here the offer you everything you need to achieve your goals.
Tips for prospective students
when coming into occ you should know your goals and all the classes you need to take in order to get all you're credits to move on. know who your professors, and take the time to do well in all your classes. participate actively in your classes and always do your best.
Academic Rigor
occ is like a university, they treat their academics very seriously. they prepare you for the type of academic challenges you will face at a university.
Dorm Life
occ doesn't offer on campus living but they do offer a housing website where people who live close to the campus can offer their homes to students that need to be close to the school.
Food and Dining
the student center on campus is one of the best new places on campus. it has just been remolded and is a great place to relax, re- nourish at a college student's price. they offer a variety of healthy foods and your favorite foods. all is prepared by occ's culinary course that they offer here at the college.
What to do for fun
here at occ there are lots of clubs, groups, teams, and sports to be apart of. if you want to be apart of something here, its here or if you have new ideas then you can create a club or team for others to be apart of.
Bang for the buck
education comes with a price, and here you are getting quality teaching and resources. free tutoring, an amazing library and all kinds of ways to help you succeed.
Clubs and Activities
our clubs and student involvement is huge here, there are so many clubs and teams to be apart of here. the students run everything here and it gives present and new students a good shot at leadership and involvement to help them find their place at a bigger campus when they move forward.
Greek Life
we don't have a very popular greek life here, were only a community college.
Campus Safety
campus safety is great here. we have beautiful campus and campus safety takes care of it. we have a hotline for students to call if they ever need an escort or feel uncomfortable.