School Reviews
Occidental College Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions
For interested persons and prospective applicants, the acceptance rate at Occidental College should be your top priority if you wish to enroll there.
With a 41% acceptance rate, Occidental College ranks #21 nationally and #158 in California among colleges with moderate acceptance rates.
If you’re thinking about applying to Occidental College, the acceptance rate needs to be your priority.
Occidental College has a moderately competitive acceptance rate for qualified applicants, making it a tough institution to enter.
Notably, out of 6,938 applications, 2,838 were accepted last year.
At Occidental College, the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, and 78.2% of the classes have fewer than 20 students.
Furthermore, students will be appropriately engaged and have easy access to their lecturers with this ratio.
Lastly, the Occidental College acceptance rate should not prevent applicants from showcasing their abilities and academic acumen in their applications.
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What to know about Occidental College
In Los Angeles, California, Occidental College is a private liberal arts college.
For students to choose from, the institution offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
With a solid student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, professors can provide individualized instruction for each student.
In addition to the classroom, numerous clubs and groups are available for students to participate in, allowing them to interact with others on campus.
Occidental Tigers compete in NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Notably, average starting salaries and post-graduation job placement rates can provide crucial information regarding the value of a degree from a particular institution.
Moreover, the school’s modern approach to a liberal arts education is comprehensive and all-inclusive, giving the students the expert knowledge and analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills they require to navigate their careers and personal lives successfully.
For undergraduates who have proven financial needs, Occidental College meets all of them in full.
A full-time first-year student’s annual financial aid package typically costs $48,038.
Without considering those who graduated debt-free, the typical graduate in the class of 2022 had a balance of roughly $30,233.
This amount should be viewed in light of the average national debt of about $36,000 per borrower.
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What is the Occidental College Acceptance Rate in 2024?
The acceptance rate of a college or university is a vital consideration while making your choice.
Acceptance is crucial since it indicates how competitive the admissions process is.
Occidental College has a fairly demanding admissions procedure with a 41% acceptance rate.
Since there is a low acceptance rate, candidates must meet the prerequisites for admission.
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What is Occidental College’s Transfer Acceptance Rate in 2024?
Knowing the acceptance percentage for transfer students is crucial if you want to transfer to another college.
Occidental College only admits 16.08% of transfer students, which is low.
This shows that just 16 transfer applications out of every 100 will be admitted.
Applicants need to have a current GPA of at least 4.12, the right credits, and good test results to have a chance of transferring to Occidental College.
The Core Curriculum in Interdisciplinary Humanities at Occidental College introduces students to the college’s unique teaching method.
There are 65 majors and areas of study available to students, spanning the social sciences, the arts and humanities, engineering, and the health sciences.
Additionally, students can switch majors while still in school, although they should do it before graduating.
Is Occidental College hard to get into?
At Occidental College, acceptance rates are 41%.
In terms of the lowest acceptance rate, it comes in at #21 nationally and #158 in California.
Occidental College is a more difficult school to get into, but for those who meet the requirements, there is a fair probability of acceptance.
Out of 6,939 applications, 2,838 were accepted the previous year.
The institution has unusually high SAT and ACT score criteria for admission; typically, students who score in the top 14% (SAT 1270/1460; ACT 28/33;) are accepted.
Occidental College normally admits and draws students with a “B+” average or higher and a GPA of roughly 3.62.
Most entering freshmen finish in the top ten percent of their class in high school.
14% of applicants who were given the option to enroll did so.
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Does Occidental College Require Test Scores?
Every school has a different set of standards for standardized testing.
Most schools demand the SAT or ACT, and many also want the SAT subject exams.
To apply, you must take either the SAT or ACT.
More crucially, the achievement is required for a compelling application.
Occidental College SAT Requirements
Occidental College often prefers the top 15% of SAT takers when considering candidates.
Below 1270 on a 1600-point scale, the school routinely accepts SAT composite scores, and admission should be regarded as a stretch.
However, this article predicts that some students with SAT scores as low as 1170 would be accepted.
The average SAT composite score for freshmen accepted is 1370 out of 1600.
With the greatest average SAT composite score in the US, Oxy is ranked #71 overall and #10 in California.
Given that 64% of candidates submit SAT scores to the school, having a competitive SAT score is essential.
Occidental College ACT Requirements
According to admissions data, ACT scores of 28 and higher are consistently accepted by Occidental.
Top 12 percent of the nation’s ACT scores are often provided by successful applicants.
In some cases, we estimate that the minimum ACT composite score accepted by the school is around 26.
With an ACT composite of 30 or higher, prospective students should be in the top half of applicants; those with a 33 or higher have excellent odds.
In terms of the highest average ACT composite scores, the school is ranked #76 overall and #11 in California.
Finally, 46% of applicants provide ACT scores to get admitted to Occidental College.
What are the Admission Requirements for Occidental College in 2024?
The applicant pool for Occidental College is competitive, with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores.
Notably, Occidental College has a comprehensive admissions procedure that considers elements other than your GPA and test results.
Excellent application essays, supplemental letters of recommendation, involvement in worthwhile extracurricular activities, and a demanding course load can strengthen your candidacy.
Even if a student’s GPA and test scores fall outside the norm at Occidental, they can still be given significant consideration if they have unusually impressive tales or accomplishments.
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Transfer Requirements for Occidental College
The following admissions criteria must be met by transfer students applying for admission to Occidental College:
- $60 application fee for the Common Application
- Transfer Report from College for the second midterm report
- Academic Evaluations
- Transcripts from all secondary schools and colleges you have attended, in official form
- The submission of SAT or ACT test results is entirely optional. Students will not be required to explain why they are withholding their SAT or ACT exam results.
If students do not submit their SAT or ACT exam results, they will not suffer any consequences during the review process.
Transfer students from abroad
- $60 application fee for the Common Application
- Transfer Two Academic Evaluations of the College Report
- Transcripts from all previous high schools and colleges, as well as a Mid-Term Report if enrolled.
- Results of any national or International Baccalaureate tests, including the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Tests, in their official forms
- Certified translations of all papers into English
- Optional Interview
- The additions of dance, music, and art Financial Aid/CSS Profile (Need-based financial aid)
What GPA Do You Need To Get Into Occidental College?
To get into Occidental College, applicants must receive excellent high school grades.
The average high school GPA of the Occidental College freshman class admitted was 3.62 on a 4.0 scale, showing that most B+ students are accepted and subsequently enrolled.
Also, the school has the 35th-best average GPA in California.
Furthermore, admission to Oxy will be difficult, even with a respectable GPA, as the institution rejects more applications than it accepts.
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How to Apply to Occidental College
Applicants must meet the prerequisites for admission as a freshman, transfer, or overseas student to be considered for admission to Occidental College.
Once they have met the entry requirements, applicants should visit the Common Application and complete the application forms.
Requirements for the collegiate degree
- Utilizing the Common Application, create an account. It is recommended that applicants create their accounts using an email other than their school email.
- Payment of the $60 application fee for all domestic and international students.
- Provide all required paperwork
Also, through the Common Application, you can send in supporting documentation such as letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores.
Although supplying SAT or ACT scores is optional, applicants who choose not to do so should complete the Test-Optional Form.
For International Students;
- International students must also submit certification of finances and an application for international student financial aid.
- The materials received and students can view those missing from your application file by giving them special access to your applicant portal once your application has been submitted. The final posting of admission choices will likewise take place here.
Alternatives to Occidental College
- Pomona College
- Reed College
- Macalester College
- University of Southern California
- Whitman College
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of California, San Diego
- Trinity University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- Tulane University
- Rhodes University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Santa Clara University
- Pepperdine University
- Chapman University
- Claremont Mckenna College
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Frequently Asked Questions
There aren’t many big parties on campus, but there are plenty of intimate gatherings amongst friends in the dorms.
There are hardly many Greeks at Oxy. Occidental College now only has a small number of fraternities and sororities.
A particularly conservative student can feel excluded from the school because of how liberal it is.
A strong drinking culture exists at Occidental; therefore, if you don’t drink, this is not the place for you.
The prestigious Occidental College offers its students a wide range of chances.
Both the professors and the students are welcoming, encouraging, and pleasant. Academics are challenging and rewarding.
They are varied, beneficial, enjoyable, and long-lasting. Very academically competent, amiable, politically and socially engaged, and determined.
My students are outspoken, engaged, and accepting.
Although there isn’t a sizable artsy or creative community at Occidental, most students seem to fit in there.
Students come from all over the country.
A social life full of varied activities is available to Occidental Greek life members.
Greek Organizations offer formal events, on-campus activities, and intergroup mixers throughout the year.
Sporting events, performances in the Los Angeles area, weekend retreats, and neighborhood gatherings are all frequented by numerous organizations.
The instructors, staff, and students at Occidental College are all encouraged to grow spiritually and religiously.
The College supports respect for all religions and acknowledges the legitimacy of anyone’s choice to follow a particular spiritual tradition.
Occidental (Oxy) cultivates in its students a dedication to academic success and volunteerism, which are excellent building blocks for a medical school application.
Undergraduates considering jobs in health-related fields can take advantage of Oxy’s Pre-Health Advising program, which is not a major.
Conclusion
One of the nation’s top colleges in academic standing is consistently ranked highly, including Occidental College.
The college is serious about the applicants it accepts, as seen by its low acceptance rate of 41%.
Furthermore, Applicants to Occidental are expected to be excellent academically, with all A’s, and to participate in extracurricular activities that set them apart from other applicants.
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