Occidental College Supplemental Essays 2025-26

Occidental College Supplemental Essays

With the Occidental acceptance rate hovering at 44%, many students are eager to make a game plan for how to get into Occidental College. Occidental College, affectionately known as Oxy, stands out as one of the leading private liberal arts colleges in the nation. Consequently, Occidental Admissions evaluate numerous applications and Occidental College supplemental essays annually to identify the most promising candidates for admission. The key to getting into this Los Angeles school? Stellar Occidental College essays.

While admissions will be looking at your grades to get a sense of who you are academically, grades only tell them so much. If you want to share your other compelling and memorable qualities, you’ll need to write about them in your essay. Occidental College supplemental essays provide admissions officials with an authentic snapshot of who you are — and why you should be accepted to Oxy. Hence, your Occidental College supplemental essays can significantly impact the success of your application.

Our guide to the Occidental College supplemental essays will walk you through the Occidental essay prompt for the “Why Occidental” essay. Throughout you’ll find various Occidental College supplemental essay tips to keep in mind when crafting your essays. By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the tools you’ll need to write an effective supplemental essay.

Are you ready to discover how to get into Occidental College by crafting strong Occidental College supplemental essays? If so, let’s embark on this journey!

Occidental College Admissions: Quick Facts

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Occidental have supplemental essays?

Yes — however, Occidental supplemental essays are not required. Even though they’re optional, Occidental College supplemental essays play a crucial role in providing the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of each applicant. While every aspect of your application is important, your essay is the main way admissions gets to know you.

Whether applying via the Common App or Coalition Application, students will have the option to submit one 250 word essay explaining their interest in attending Occidental. This is a classic “Why School” essay. Let’s take a look at the prompt.

Occidental Supplemental Essays: Why Occidental Essay

Here is the prompt for the Why Occidental essay:

This Why Occidental essay really asks two questions. While they are definitely related, they’re also distinct. You’ll need to consider your reasons for applying and why Occidental is the best fit for you. That means your response needs to be unique to Occidental, and your reasons shouldn’t be applicable to any other school you are applying to.

When approaching this prompt, it’s essential to thoroughly research Occidental College to pinpoint specific aspects that resonate with your values and goals. In crafting your Occidental College essay, focus on personal connections, aligning your academic and personal interests with the unique features of Occidental. Be genuine and specific, avoid clichés, and showcase your excitement about joining the Occidental community.

Ask yourself: what have I learned about Occidental that has led me to apply? Ultimately, your Occidental College essay should reflect a sincere connection to the college, highlighting why it is the ideal place to pursue your academic journey.

How to answer Occidental supplemental essays

Answering Occidental College supplemental essays requires thoughtful reflection and a strategic approach. Staying within a specific word count and effectively conveying your unique perspective isn’t always easy. Here are a few Occidental College supplemental essay tips to guide you.

Want more tips on writing college essays? Check out these CollegeAdvisor resources that discuss How to Write Better Essays, College Essay Topics, and Why College Essay Examples. 

Does Occidental care about essays?

Yes, admissions absolutely cares about Occidental College supplemental essays! Occidental College takes pride in its comprehensive admissions process, recognizing that academic excellence extends beyond grades alone. This holistic approach emphasizes elements such as your background, interests, and important opportunities and moments that have shaped you. Your Occidental College supplemental essay is pivotal in conveying these aspects of your character and accomplishments.

The significance placed on Occidental College supplemental essays underscores the college’s deliberate effort to identify individuals who align with its core values. Occidental’s values of academic excellence, innovation, and a dedication to societal impact are complex and nuanced. Your essay serves as a platform to share your past experiences and future aspirations, giving the Occidental admissions committee a deeper understanding of your unique qualities and perspectives.

Therefore, creating an impactful Occidental College supplemental essay is crucial. If any other students could have written your essay, try to infuse more of yourself into your response. Remember, the best Occidental supplemental essays serve as a window into your character, illustrating your commitment to contributing to Occidental College’s academic and innovative community. 

Additional information about Occidental College

Tracing its origins back to 1887, Occidental College is renowned for its commitment to:

• Providing a comprehensive liberal arts education
• Fostering critical thinking and creativity
• Promoting interdisciplinary studies

Distinguished by its dedication to diversity and inclusivity, Occidental College prioritizes creating a vibrant campus environment that celebrates different cultures and perspectives. The institution strongly emphasizes research, offering students various opportunities to engage in hands-on projects across disciplines. The college’s global perspective is evident through study abroad programs and initiatives encouraging international engagement. Among its illustrious alumni is former President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, who began his higher education journey at Occidental before transferring to Columbia University.

In addition to having a strong commitment to academic excellence and diversity, Occidental College is deeply rooted in community engagement and social responsibility, with students actively participating in service-learning programs and projects contributing to societal betterment. The campus is known for its beauty and green spaces, providing an inspiring backdrop for learning and personal growth. Notably, Occidental College boasts a commitment to environmental sustainability, featuring LEED-certified buildings and initiatives aimed at reducing the college’s carbon footprint. 

Overall, Occidental College’s rich history and commitment to excellence underscores its impact on education and society, making it a distinguished institution in the landscape of American higher education.

Occidental Supplemental Essays – Final Takeaways

Occidental College supplemental essays serve as a testament to writing skills and provide invaluable insight into an applicant’s character and values. Here are some final key takeaways to remember as you craft your Occidental College supplemental essay: 

Carefully consider the Occidental essay prompt and use our Occidental College supplemental essay tips to help you enhance your chances of securing admission. By now, we hope you know how to get into Occidental College and are ready to write the best supplemental essays to complete your Occidental application. If so, good luck!

This essay guide was written by Ashley Hollins. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.