International Application Requirements

Review our required and optional materials for international applicants.

First-Year Applicants

Choose an application platform and review the checklist below to make sure you have everything you need.

Required Materials
You will submit the following items through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔ ✔	Personal essay Early Decision agreement (if applying Early Decision)
Plus, you will need to request these from your counselor through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔	High school transcript School report Counselor recommendation letter Midyear transcript Midyear report
You will also be able to request this from a teacher through Common App or Coalition on Scoir:
✔	Letter of recommendation (one from a 10th, 11th, or 12th grade teacher in a core subject)
If English is not the language of instruction at your school, you may need to demonstrate proficiency by submitting a language test (to be sent directly from the testing service):
✔	English language test: TOEFL, IELTS, DET (DuoLingo English Test) or
After you submit your application, you’ll receive access to Occidental’s application portal (within 3–5 days), where you’ll need to complete the following required financial information form:
✔	International Student Financial Form

Optional Materials
The following options can help provide additional context and dimension to your application, but are not mandatory:
✔	Short answer (optional) Highlight why you and Occidental are a good match by submitting an optional short answer statement (maximum 250 words) through Common App or through a Coalition on Scoir supplemental form. The prompt for Fall 2026 is: Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental is the right place for you to pursue your interests?
✔	Admission interview You can request an admission interview through Occidental directly.
✔	English language interview You can demonstrate your English language skills by arranging a video interview.
✔	College transcripts (if applicable) If you have enrolled in courses at a community college or other higher education institution, you can request the transcripts to be sent to Occidental directly.
✔	Standardized test scores SAT and ACT scores are completely optional and can be submitted through Common App or Coalition on Scoir.
✔	Additional letter of recommendation This can be requested through Common App or Coalition on Scoir.
✔	Artistic supplement You may submit an optional portfolio via Slideroom on Common App.

First-Year Application Deadlines

App Round	Admission Deadline	Financial Aid Deadline	Decision Release
Early Decision I	November 15	November 15	By December 15
Early Decision II	January 10	January 10	By February 20
Regular Decision	January 10	January 10	By April 1

Occidental has an undocumented and DACA students webpage with guidance on how to fill out the application.

Transfer Applicants

Review the checklist below to make sure you have everything you need to apply through the Common App.

Required Materials
You will submit the following items through Common App:
✔ ✔	Short answers Writing sample from a college course (graded is preferred)
Plus, you will need to request these from your counselor through Common App:
✔ ✔ ✔	Final high school transcript or GED certificate College transcripts from all institutions attended College report
You will also be able to request this from a teacher through Common App:
✔	Letter of recommendation (one from a 10th, 11th, or 12th grade teacher in a core subject)
If English is not the language of instruction at your school, you may need to demonstrate proficiency by submitting a language test (to be sent directly from the testing service):
✔	English language test: TOEFL, IELTS, DET (DuoLingo English Test) or
After you submit your application, you’ll receive access to Occidental’s application portal (within 3–5 days), where you’ll need to complete the following required financial information form:
✔	International Student Financial Form

Optional Materials
The following options can help provide additional context and dimension to your application, but are not mandatory:
✔	Admission interview You can request an admission interview through Occidental directly.
✔	English language interview You can demonstrate your English language skills by arranging a video interview.
✔	Standardized test scores SAT and ACT scores are completely optional and can be submitted through Common App.
✔	Additional letter of recommendation This can be requested through Common App.
✔	Artistic supplement You may submit an optional portfolio via Slideroom on Common App.

Transfer Application Deadlines

App Round	\| Application Closes
Fall	\| March 1
Completed applications received by March 1 will be considered on a rolling basis after April 15. Applications received after March 1 will be considered on a rolling basis after May 1.

Submitting additional materials and checking on your application

Once you submit your application through the Common App or Coalition on Scoir, you’ll receive an email from Occidental within 24–48 hours with instructions to access your .

Through the portal, you can:

Check your checklist
Update your contact information
Upload additional documents
View your admission decision when it’s released

You can also submit documents by email or mail, if needed:

Email: admission@oxy.edu

Mail:

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Office of Admission
1600 Campus Road M-18
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Have questions about your application?

Every applicant is assigned an admission counselor based on region. Find your counselor and connect with them for support at any point in the process.