Occidental College Transfer Requirements

I'm considering transferring to Occidental College and am trying to figure out what the transfer requirements are. Can anyone share insights on GPA, credit requirements, or other key things I should be aware of before applying?

Sure, I'd be happy to offer some information on transferring to Occidental College. Admission requirements for transfer students can be a bit different from traditional freshman admissions, so it's great that you're doing your homework on this.

Firstly, you need to have completed at least one full year of course work (32 semester units or 48 quarter units) but not more than two full years (64 semester units or 96 quarter units) to qualify as a transfer student. This should be completed at a fully accredited college or university after high school graduation.

In terms of GPA, while the college does not state a strict minimum, successful applicants generally have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher in college courses. That said, the college reviews applications holistically, so other factors like your essay, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters will also be considered alongside your GPA.

As for courses, transfer students are recommended to have completed a year of English composition (often equivalent to two semesters) and a year of college-level mathematics. Note that Occidental does not accept vocational, technical, performance, or remedial courses for transfer credit.

You'll also need to submit a Personal Essay, College Report, Professor or Instructor Evaluation, and all of your College Transcripts. The mid-term report is required if you are enrolled in courses during the time of application.

Lastly, keep in mind that Occidental is on a semester system, so when calculating your credits, remember that 1 semester unit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter units. The application deadline for Fall transfers is March 15 and for Spring transfers is November 1.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your application! If you have more questions, definitely reach out to Occidental's admissions office. They'll be happy to help provide further information.