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Transfer Students

Occidental has long valued the contributions of transfer students.  Consistent with that commitment, we intentionally set aside places in our new student population for transfers. Approximately 12% of our new student cohort at Oxy come to us from other institutions, and they add to the vitality of the intellectual and extracurricular life on campus. Transfers are afforded the same benefits as first-year students - with financial aid, with on-campus housing, and with class registration. 
 
We appreciate your interest in Oxy. The information below should answer most of your questions, but feel free to contact us if you have others.

Transfer Information

Deadlines & Eligibility

Application Deadlines

Fall Admission - March 15 For Domestic Students

Fall Admission - March 15 For International Students

Spring Admission - October 15 For Domestic Students Only 

Students may submit either Oxy Transfer Application or apply online via the Common Application

Admission Eligibility

High School graduate or proof of completion of the GED (High School Equivalency Test) Completion of at least one semester (16 units) of academic courses at an accredited college or university.   SAT or ACT scores are required of all students unless more than 5 years have passed since the completion of high school or of the GED.

Although we accept applications from any student who meets the above criteria, the most competitive applicants to the College usually hold the following characteristics: enrollment at an accredited college or university for at least one year, a history of carrying a full courseload (usually defined as 3-4 academic courses) each semester while enrolled in a college or university, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better in academic coursework. 

Full-Time Status

Although some colleges offer part-time status, Occidental only accepts students interested in attending full-time. Full-time status is defined as enrolling in four courses each semester for a total of 16 academic credits. 

Reactivation - Previous Applicants

Students who have previously applied, within the past three years,  to Occidental either as high school seniors or transfer students can submit a Reactivation Form (Part R of the application). They must also send updated transcripts and writing samples. Previous admission to the College does not guarantee future admission. However, we use previous applications in our review. 

International Applicants for Transfer Admission

In addition to completing the application, International students must also submit the following materials: a Certification of Finances form and a competitive TOEFL score of 600 (written), 250 (computer),  100 (IBT)  or higher or a competitive ELPT score of 980 or higher. These scores must be submitted in addition to SAT or ACT scores.

Limited scholarship aid is available for international students. Please see the application for more details and guidelines on applying for aid.

Please note that International Transfer Students may only apply for Fall admission and that deadline is January 10.

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The Application Process

How to Apply as a Transfer Student

Students need to submit the following documents with their application: 

  • Official copies of all their transcripts - high school and college 
  • One recommendation from college instructor
  • Statement of good standing from the school they are attending or last attended 
  • Personal Essays 
  • Writing sample from college course - analytical piece 3 - 5 pages in length with grades and professor's comments 
  • Copy of their SAT or ACT scores if they graduated from high school within the last five years. A waiver may be obtained under special or unusual circumstances. 
  • A $50 application fee

Once a student submits Part A of the application and the application fee, a file will be started for them. They will then be informed of any missing information and given a deadline to complete their file. 

A student may be required to submit mid-term grades for a final evaluation. If that is the case, the Office of Admission will inform the student. 

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Interviews

Interviews are not required for admission. However, admission officers are happy to meet with students to discuss their background, evaluate their transcripts and provide guidance about the process. 

In addition to on-campus interview opportunities, admission officers visit local community colleges and schedule individual appointments to meet with students. Contact your Transfer Center for information and appointment schedules. 

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Financial Aid

Students interested in financial aid must  apply separately . The Admission Office is not responsible for informing the Financial Aid Office of a student's interest in applying. Students must submit the following forms: 

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
  • The PROFILE form from the College Scholarship Service 
  • The Cal Grant Grade Verification Form (for California Residents only). 

Students interested in financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible to receive information about deadlines and to insure that there are no delays in this process. 

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Academic Requirements

A student needs to spend a minimum of two years at Occidental to receive a degree. That means they need to complete 64 of 128 total units at Oxy. Semester- or year-abroad or participation in exchange programs still qualify the student for two-year residency as long as the program is an Oxy-sponsored opportunity. 

A student needs to have a minimum of 32 transferable credits at other institutions to enter as a Sophomore. 

A student needs to have a minimum of 64 transferable credits at other institutions to enter as a Junior. 

Once a student is admitted to the College, the Registrar's Office will provide a preliminary evaluation of a student's transcripts. They will assign credit for transferable work, determine a student's standing (Junior or Sophomore), and inform the student of additional General Education work that they will need to complete at Occidental. 

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General Education Requirements

Print the General Education Worksheet

The Occidental General Education program is call the CORE.  Students are not required to complete all CORE requirements before they enter Occidental.  The above worksheet can help you develop a plan before you enter Occidental.

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Major Requirements

Major requirements are determined by each department. If students are interested in which of their courses will count toward their major, they can review the catalog, or contact the department and speak with the Transfer Liaison. Typically departments will require course descriptions and reading lists in order to determine if courses are transferable. 

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Housing

Housing is available for transfer students. Depending on their background, age, and other factors, the Office of Residence Life will try to be sensitive to their needs. Single rooms are limited, and  mostly given to Junior and Senior students. 

Many transfer students choose to live off campus and commute.  Parking is free, although you must register your car with campus safety.

The majority of students transferring from other four-year institutions choose to live on campus. A few feel comfortable living in the nearby community, predominantly those entering as Juniors. There is no married student or family housing. 

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Non-Traditional Transfer Students

Occidental welcomes non-traditional students who are interested in full-time study.  A recent record of academic success and a willingness to enroll full-time are prerequisites.  There is an organization established to provide support and social opportunities for these students. SOS (Slightly Older Students) is a fairly new organization on Occidental's campus. Last year the Alumni House was offered as a meeting place, and SOS used it for their functions.

We have a day-care center (The Child Development Center) for students who may have preschool children. Tuition is based on income. 

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For More Information

For more information on any of these topics, please contact the Office of Admission at the address below. For questions relating to Financial Aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (323) 259-2548. Concerns over transfer credit should be directed to the Registrar's Office at (323) 259-2686. To submit a request for a transfer application, please fill out the For More Information form. 

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* Please note that the Certification of Finances is in .pdf format. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read or print this file. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader you may download it here for free.