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.
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:
- join our mailing list
- attend a virtual info session
- visit our booth at a high school or college fair
- visit campus or take a virtual tour
- participate in an admission interview
- submit optional short answers as part of your application
- apply Early Decision (first-year applicants only)
