You’ve learned about us. Now we look forward to learning about you…

We’re looking to assemble a student body with a variety of perspectives and experiences. Your academic record will speak for itself. But what else matters? While reviewing your application, we’ll also consider your extracurricular involvement in your community, your special talents and achievements, and your potential to contribute to the Occidental classroom and residential community.

Our best advice is to be yourself. There's no formula for getting in. Creative, soulful, funny, introspective—all words to describe some of our most memorable applicants, but the common thread is always authenticity.

Putting your application together

Now that you have added Occidental to your college list it’s time to prepare your application. Occidental College accepts applications via two platforms:

Application requirements

There are a number of required and optional materials, regardless of which platform you select. International and transfer applicants have additional admission requirements and should consult their checklists to make sure they have all the necessary materials:

Application deadlines

First-year applicants have several application rounds to choose from: Early Decision or Regular Decision.

Application Round Application Deadline Financial Aid App Deadline Decision Release
Early Decision I November 15 November 15  By December 15
Early Decision II January 10 January 10 By February 15
Regular Decision January 10  January 10  By Late March

 

Transfer applicants may opt to apply for spring or fall entry:

Semester Application Deadline Financial Aid App Deadline Decision Release
Spring November 1 November 1 Early December
Fall March 1* March 1 By May 1*

*Transfers who apply by March 1 will receive a decision by May 1. Transfer applications received after March 1 will be considered on a rolling basis after May 1. Applications will not be reviewed after June 1.

Financial aid

Occidental College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students. That means that the College will help cover the gap between the total cost of attendance and how much a family can afford to pay. If you plan to apply for need-based financial aid at Occidental, you will need to submit your financial aid applications through both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CSS Profile by the same deadline that you are applying for admission. International citizens have different requirements for financial aid consideration.

COSTS & FINANCIAL AID

Tips for demonstrating your interest in Occidental

We find it particularly compelling when applicants demonstrate an interest in Occidental College as a top choice. When you thoughtfully engage with Occidental during the college search process and express a genuine interest in attending if you are admitted, it helps our admission team build the next class of dynamic students.

You can engage with and show interest in Occidental College in a number of ways–both in-person and online:

 

Oswald the Tiger graphic

Already applied?

If you have already submitted your application through the Common App or Coalition App on Scoir, you may visit Occidental’s application portal to check in on your application, review your checklist, submit additional documents, and look for your admission decision once it’s released.

Go to Application Portal

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination at Occidental College: Occidental College does not discriminate against applicants because of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, pregnancy, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Contact Admission & Aid
Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041