Transferring to Occidental
Occidental College admitted 35.5% of its transfer applicants for fall 2025: 131 of 369. Its deadlines and course rules differ from UC and CSU, so plan for it separately.
Checked against each university’s own pages and Common Data Set in October 2026.
Admission numbers
- Fall 2025 admit rate
- 35.5%
- Transfer applicants
- 369
- Transfers enrolled
- 39
- ADT admission guarantee
- Not stated
| Term | Applicants | Admits | Admit rate | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 369 | 131 | 35.5% | 39 |
From Common Data Set 2025-2026, D2. Counts cover all transfer applicants.
The Fall 2025 transfer class had a median GPA of 3.79. Occidental says its most competitive transfer applicants typically have a GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Application dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| March 1 | Fall transfer application deadline as listed on the current page, which does not name a year. Applicants who complete by March 1 are notified by May 1, and later applications are considered on a rolling basis. |
| March 1 | Transfer applicants submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile and required tax documents by their application deadline. Late submission may affect the aid offer. |
What you need
- Transfer applicants apply through the Common App or Coalition on Scoir and answer Occidental's short answer questions there. Source
- Applicants must complete at least one semester (16 units) of academic coursework at an accredited college before enrolling. Common Data Set 2025-2026 (D7) lists a minimum college GPA of 3.0. Source
- Required documents are a graded college writing sample if possible, one letter of recommendation from a college instructor, transcripts from all colleges, the College Report form and a final high school transcript or GED certificate. Source
- Junior transfers should generally have completed introductory coursework in their intended major. Economics applicants entering with junior standing must have taken calculus, microeconomics and macroeconomics by enrollment. Source
- Students can transfer a maximum of 64 semester units or 96 quarter units of credit. Source
- Transfers must complete at least 64 of the 128 total units on campus, which is a minimum of two years of full-time study at Occidental. Source
Scholarships and aid
- Occidental meets 100% of demonstrated need, and transfers are eligible for financial aid and merit scholarships. No transfer scholarship amounts are published on the transfer FAQ. Source
More from Occidental
- Occidental admits transfers for fall and spring. The spring application closes November 1 and is reviewed on a rolling basis. Source
- Occidental typically enrolls 5 to 10 transfers for spring and 30 to 40 transfers for fall. Transfers make up about 8 to 10 percent of overall enrollment. Source
- On-campus housing for transfers is encouraged but not required. Source
- Music and Media Arts and Culture majors are required to attend Occidental for three years, with some exceptions. Source
- For the Fall 2025 cycle, Common Data Set 2025-2026 (D9) lists a March 1 priority date and a June 1 closing date for fall transfers. Source
Official links
Other private universities
Questions
What is Occidental’s transfer acceptance rate?
35.5% for fall 2025: 131 admitted of 369 transfer applicants, from the Common Data Set 2025-2026, D2.
What GPA do you need to transfer to Occidental?
The Fall 2025 transfer class had a median GPA of 3.79. Occidental says its most competitive transfer applicants typically have a GPA of 3.6 or higher.
When is the Occidental transfer deadline for fall 2027?
Fall transfer application deadline as listed on the current page, which does not name a year. Applicants who complete by March 1 are notified by May 1, and later applications are considered on a rolling basis.: March 1. Transfer applicants submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile and required tax documents by their application deadline. Late submission may affect the aid offer.: March 1.