Many students find it useful to share their personal experiences and interests and connect them to specific opportunities at Occidental. If you feel that your application would be enhanced by providing some personal insight, you may respond to one of the following questions.
For Fall 2025 entry, you may choose to answer one of these questions at the time of application or you may submit an answer later via your application portal:
- Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental, and our location in Los Angeles, is the right place for you to pursue your interests?
- Occidental’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?
- Research is an integral part of an Occidental education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Occidental student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?
Attention transfer students: please visit your required short answer questions in the Transfer Student Application Requirements section.