First-Year Application Requirements

Review our required and optional materials for first-year applicants.

Required Materials
You will submit the following items through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔ ✔ ✔	Personal essay Application fee ($70) or fee waiver Early Decision agreement (if applying Early Decision)
Plus, you will need to request these from your counselor through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔	High school transcript School report Counselor recommendation letter Midyear transcript Midyear report
You will also be able to request this from a teacher through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔	Letter of recommendation (one from a 10th, 11th, or 12th grade teacher in a core subject)

Optional Materials
The following options can help provide additional context and dimension to your application, but are not mandatory:
✔	Short answers Highlight why you and Occidental are a good match by submitting short answers through Common App or through a Coalition on Scoir supplemental form.
✔	Admission interview You can request an admission interview through Occidental directly.
✔	College transcripts (if applicable) If you have enrolled in courses at a community college or other higher education institution, you can request the transcripts to be sent to Occidental directly.
✔	Standardized test scores SAT and ACT scores are completely optional and can be submitted through Common App or Coalition on Scoir.
✔	Additional letter of recommendation This can be requested through Common App or Coalition on Scoir.
✔	Artistic supplement You may submit an optional portfolio via Slideroom on Common App.

International applicants and transfer applicants have additional admission requirements and should consult their checklists to make sure they have all the necessary materials. We also have an undocumented and DACA students webpage with guidance on how to fill out the application.

Submitting additional materials and checking on your application

After you submit your application through Common App or Coalition on Scoir, you will receive an email from Occidental within 24 to 48 hours with login information for Occidental's application portal. Once you activate your account, you will be able to check on your application, update your contact information, review your checklist, submit additional documents, and look for your admission decision once it’s released.

Documents can also be emailed or mailed to Occidental if needed.

Email	admission@oxy.edu
Mail	Occidental College Office of Admission 1600 Campus Road M-18 Los Angeles, CA 90041

Have questions about your application?

Each of our admission counselors is assigned to a different region. Find the admission counselor for your region and connect with them.

Essay Writing Tips

Learn how to develop your narrative with this recorded application essay writing workshop.

WATCH VIDEO

Contact Admission & Aid

Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Phone: (323) 259-2700

admission@oxy.edu