How Selective is Occidental University?

Looking at Occidental as one of my top choices. Can anyone let me know about their acceptance rate? How hard is it to get into Occidental?

Occidental College, located in Los Angeles, California, is a selective private liberal arts college. For the most recent admissions cycle, the acceptance rate hovered around 39%. However, keep in mind that this rate can vary annually and may differ slightly from year to year.

The selectivity of a college isn't only about its acceptance rate; other factors also play a crucial role. In addition to taking into account an applicant's academic achievements (like GPA and course rigor), Occidental also considers extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

For example, many admitted applicants have a GPA of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). High school coursework is an important factor and a strong schedule with AP or IB classes can demonstrate college readiness.

Given that Occidental is a liberal arts college, they also put a great emphasis on well-roundedness. Students who showcase leadership roles in extracurricular activities, community involvement, and other forms of engagement outside the classroom end up faring well in the admission process.

Remember that the admissions process is holistic, so even if your GPA or test scores aren't quite up to the average for admitted students, other aspects of your application can still put you in a strong position.