Occidental College
Location: Los Angeles, CA (urban, very large city)
Size: 2,081 students
Avg percent need-met: 100%
Acceptance rate: 37%
Middle 50% ACT: 28-32 **Test Optional for Fall 2021**
Middle 50% SAT: 1300-1480 **Test Optional for Fall 2021**
Occidental is an intellectual liberal arts college for hard-working students. They boast stimulating classes and engaging professors who take a proactive role in student education. Students complete a core program in addition to their major, and their academics in general have an interdisciplinary and multicultural focus which I think you’d really like! You really do have the freedom to experiment with a wide range of college experiences: they have incredible study abroad opportunities, funded summer research abroad (which could satisfy your love of science and desire to study abroad!), and a unique UN internship program. The student body is well-rounded and socially and politically conscious.
Popular majors / known for: Economics, International Relations, Biology, Political Science, Visual Arts
Academic approach: Liberal arts. Over 30 areas of study; Social Sciences reign supreme, but Visual Arts and Biology rank as the next two most popular areas of study
Fun fact: Occidental College is a very popular filming location for film and television alike, appearing in Glee, The Good Place, and Criminal Minds, among many others.
Campus Tradition: A nice(?) swim on your birthday! Friends create elaborate plans to throw birthday-havers into Gilman Fountain to celebrate (and embarrass) one another.
City Connections
Occidental College is located just a few miles north of downtown LA. The school emphasizes the small liberal arts experience, while still making use of Los Angeles. There are a diverse array of community engagement programs designed to get students involved with LA, plus the career center provides excellent opportunities for internships and other job preparatory services. OxyConnects is a program that helps students partner for a year with community partners.
Los Angeles has a metro population of more than 13 million and boasts world class museums, theater, art, and more. Students can spend time relaxing on beaches or hiking around the city, plus exploring all the restaurants and other major sites that LA has to offer.
Students have access to internships all around L.A., as well as the resources and cultural events of the city
The California Immigration Semester situates learning in the community through field trips to local museums and historic immigrant communities around the city
Oxy's location in L.A. makes it a great option for students interested in Media Arts and Culture
Oxy's Third Los Angeles Project engages students in "a series of conversations about L.A.'s past, present, and future."
Application Details
RD deadline: January 10th
Early Action deadline: None
Supplemental essays: Yes, several short answer
Application fee: $65, can be waived
On Common App: Yes
CSS profile: Required, due January 15th
Interviews: Considered
School also featured in: Coaches Choice, Pre-Law, Diverse Schools, Environmental Schools, Similar to Highly Selective - Columbia, West Coast Schools