Your chances of getting into Occidental College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Oxy is 38.2%. Its admission rate is the 17th lowest in California and the 127th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Oxy and can you get accepted?
Oxy is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,484 out of the 6,495 who applied were admitted.
The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 8 percent on standardized admission tests. Occidental College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.63. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Oxy?
38% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Occidental College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.63 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1420 on the SAT
- Score 31 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
- Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers
Oxy GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Occidental College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Oxy are to have around a 3.63 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Oxy will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Oxy is 3.63 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #36 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Oxy is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
Oxy SAT Scores
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Occidental College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 670 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 670 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1340 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 740 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 750 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1490 |
| Average SAT Score | 1420
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Occidental College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Oxy is 1420 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1340-1490. Students who get into Occidental College score in the top 9 percent of all SAT test takers.. Oxy ranks #10 in the state of California and #65 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1420 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Oxy regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1340 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1340, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1260, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Occidental College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1415, you have around a 38% chance of being admitted. A 1490 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 54% chance of getting in.
Oxy ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 31 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 27 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 30 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 32 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 33 |
| Average ACT Score | 31
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Oxy?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Oxy is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 33. The school ranks #12 in California and #72 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.
22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Occidental College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Occidental College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Oxy for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 38% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 59% with a 33 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
54% of Occidental College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 54% |
| Top 25% of class | 90% |
| Top 50% of class | 98% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 3,866 | 2,629 | 6,495 |
| Accepted | 1,579 | 905 | 2,484 |
| Acceptance Rate | 41% | 34% | 38% |
| Enrolled | 310 | 225 | 535 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 20% | 25% | 22% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 105 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 10, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Occidental College is $70.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Occidental College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Considered but not required |
| High School GPA | Considered but not required |
| High School Class Rank | Considered but not required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Recommended |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Oxy is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.63 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1420 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1490 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Occidental College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=120254 IPEDS survey data for Occidental College.
FAQs
Does Occidental College prefer SAT or ACT?
29% of students submit their SAT scores to Oxy. 22% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Occidental College?
38% of those who apply are granted admission to Oxy. Admission competition is high and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Occidental College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1340 and 1490. The average SAT score is 1415. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Occidental College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 30 and 33. The average ACT score is 31. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.