Occidental College
Location: Los Angeles, CA (urban)
Size: 1,964 students
Avg percent need-met: 100%
Acceptance rate: 38%
Middle 50% ACT: 30-33 **Test Optional through Fall 2023**
Middle 50% SAT: 1350-1470 **Test Optional through Fall 2023**
Occidental College is an intellectually-focused small liberal arts college that is great for hard working students. Academics have an interdisciplinary and multicultural focus, and professors are invested in each student’s education. There’s a lot of freedom for students to have the college experience they want, with extensive study abroad programs, research opportunities, and a unique UN internship program. The student body is socially conscious and diverse.
Popular majors / known for: Political Science, Computer Science, Urban & Environmental Policy, Biology, Economics
Academic approach: Liberal arts with a Core Program completed in addition to your major(s).
Fun fact / campus tradition: Oxy’s location in Los Angeles has led to campus serving as a set for various movies and television shows since 1927!
Check out campus photos here!
Similarity to Columbia
Occidental is located a big city, giving students access to the community and opportunities that come with LA.
Oxy's Core Program, where students are required to take certain classes across disciplines, is similar to Columbia's core curriculum
Diversity! Columbia is the most diverse of the Ivies, and Occidental is an incredibly diverse school
Application Details
RD deadline: January 10th
Priority deadline: N/A
Supplemental essays: Yes
Application fee: $70
On Common App: Yes
CSS profile: Required, due January 10th
Interviews: Considered
School also featured in: Coaches Choice, Pre-Law, Environmental Schools, Urban LACs, West Coast Schools