Academic Preparation for Admission
We don™t expect a perfect transcript”but we do look closely at the courses you™ve taken and how you™ve challenged yourself. To prepare for admission to Occidental, we recommend taking five core academic subjects each year of high school, including:
- 4 years of English/literature/composition
- 4 years of math
- 3-4 years of science
- 3-4 years of social studies
- 3-4 years of foreign language
If your school offers them, AP, IB, honors, or advanced-level classes can help demonstrate your academic readiness”especially when pursued in a balanced and sustainable way.
Students are generally considered academically competitive if they have reached the equivalent of AP/IB/advanced-level in at least 3 out of the 5 core subject areas. We recognize that not every high school offers the same courses, and scheduling or individual strengths may mean you won™t reach the highest level in every subject. This guideline is meant to give you a sense of what successful applicants often look like“not to serve as a cutoff. Every application is reviewed holistically and in the context of your high school.
What We Mean by Holistic Review
Occidental doesn™t admit students by major, and we don™t rely solely on grades or scores. We consider the whole of your application in context: what courses were available to you, how you performed over time, and how you™ve taken advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
We™re looking for students who will thrive in a rigorous liberal arts environment, contribute to our diverse and collaborative community, are willing to take risks, and bring curiosity to every aspect of their education.
