Occidental College - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Occidental College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

39.9%

Admission Difficulty for Occidental College
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Exceptional
Applicant Competition		High

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Oxy is 39.9%. Its admission rate is the 25th lowest in California and the 169th 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, 2,622 out of the 6,573 who applied were admitted.

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. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Oxy?

40% 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 1430 on the SAT
Score 32 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Oxy GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.63

Typical High School Grades

B+

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.

High School GPA's for admitted Occidental College students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	6.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	36.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	30.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	18.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	8.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	2.0%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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Oxy SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Occidental College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 23% of students submitted SAT scores and 13% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1360-1500

Applicants Submitting SAT

23%

SAT Scores for Occidental College
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	690
Math 25th Percentile	670
Composite 25th Percentile	1360

SAT Scores for Occidental College
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	750
Math 75th Percentile	750
Composite 75th Percentile	1500
Average SAT Score	1430

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 1430 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1360-1500. Students who get into Occidental College score in the top 7 percent of all SAT test takers.. Oxy ranks #9 in the state of California and #75 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1430 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Oxy regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1360 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1360, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1290, 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 "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1430 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance 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 1430, you have around a 40% chance of being admitted. A 1500 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 56% chance of getting in.

Occidental College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1500 and Above	Good	>56%
1430 to 1500	Avg +	40%-56%
1360 to 1430	Avg -	26%-40%
1290 to 1360	Reach	16%-26%
Less than 1290	Low	<16%

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Oxy ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

31-34

Applicants Submitting ACT

13%

ACT Scores for Occidental College
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	32
Math 25th Percentile	28
Composite 25th Percentile	31

ACT Scores for Occidental College
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	35
Math 75th Percentile	33
Composite 75th Percentile	34
Average ACT Score	32

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 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 34. The school ranks #11 in California and #63 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 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.

13 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 "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Oxy for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 40% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 61% with a 34 ACT score.

Occidental College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34 and Above	Good	>61%
32 to 34	Avg +	40%-61%
31 to 32	Avg -	30%-40%
30 to 31	Reach	22%-30%
Less than 30	Low	<22%

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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 for admitted Occidental College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	54%
Top 25% of class	90%
Top 50% of class	98%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Occidental College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,782	2,519	6,573
Accepted	1,601	922	2,622
Acceptance Rate	42%	37%	40%
Enrolled	276	221	532
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	17%	24%	20%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 10, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 10, 2025.

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?

Occidental College Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Occidental College
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 1430 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1500 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.