Campus Life FAQ's

Office of Student Engagement and Leadership brings in events during the midterms and finals season. There are also activities ranging from movie screenings, to miniature figurine painting, celebrations of cultural holidays, Club Rush, live music in the commons and more!

On-campus, the students are very close to each other. It is quite easy to make friends because of our intimate campus setting. Students build meaningful relationships with their peers very fast, during their Foundation year, as students are put into a section during their first-year, and once students get into their major, much more comraderie is experienced.

One thing about Otis College students, is that they are always open to helping each other. There is also a pretty big off-campus social life with its own range of different activities and if you go looking for it, is very easy to find.

Most students live off-campus but very close to it.  There are a good number of students who live right across the street so even for them it feels like they live on campus. Students who live on campus (approximately 20%) are predominately First Year and New Transfer Students. Others usually commute or room with other people around campus.

Meal plans are only required if you live on-campus. Students who have dietary needs or restrictions are invited to speak with the General Manager of our Dining Hall (Elaine’s) and the manager will arrange a meeting with the Head Chef who is willing and able to work with students around specific concerns related to food. Our Dining staff is eager to help wherever possible.

There are grocery shops very close to Otis College so living alone is easy. There are also multiple fast food places, a bowling alley, and some community parks. Also there is a community known as Playa Vista close by with restaurants, cafes, and a movie theater. Other notable spots are Dockweiler Beach, Venice Beach, LAX, Marina del Rey, and El Segundo. There are a lot of cool places you can go by driving 10-20 minutes.

For a small campus like Otis College, there is a good variety of student clubs and organizations. Many clubs are based on a shared identity such as religious based clubs, special interest clubs, and clubs focused on service and community building. If you feel like a club is missing, it is easy to start one yourself! Just reach out to Office of Student Engagement and Leadership for more info! Go to our Owl Events Website to look up current clubs at Otis College and learn more

Every spring semester, Student Leadership Opportunities are advertised and students can apply to be one of many different student leader roles including RA, Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, Student Ambassador (Admissions Tour Guide), and more! Check your Otis College email and Dashboard, and check in with the specific department you are interested in working for. For RA specific information, email us.

If you want to explore Los Angeles, it is much easier to get around if you have a car. Unlike many other college campuses, Parking is FREE for students—all you have to do is register your vehicle with Campus Safety and Security. There are some buses and the Metro to help people get around, so public transportation is still a good option. Other students use Lyft and Uber to travel, and Otis College also has Zip Cars to rent out. All you need is a Zip Car account and you’re set.

There are no athletics at Otis College, but there is a gym (L.A. Fitness) just a block away if you want to relieve some stress and get active. Otis College students have a special discounted rate for a monthly gym membership. Just show your Otis College I.D.

After you get your Otis College Student I.D. Card (OneCard), you can use it in all the places that offer students discounts. Office of Student Engagement and Leadership has a lot of different partnerships with places that give discounts to Otis College students. Find out more by going to the Student Discounts website.

The neighborhood around Otis is very safe, as we are near  LAX, and we are in a prime location where new development is happening. We have 24/7 Safety and Security on campus, with key card access on all exteriaor entrances to the College. Additionally, Otis College was ranked by NICHE as one of the Top 10 Safest Colleges in California in 2018.

Students mostly live either across the street at an apartment complex called Park West or a block away in Playa del Oro Apartments. Most live so close that they feel like they live on campus, but other students with transportation live in Inglewood, Culver City, Santa Monica, Westchester, and El Segundo.