Occidental College

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

for 2024-2025

Want to talk about your

Occidental College

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

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How do you apply to

Occidental College

?

You apply to
Occidental College
through their application portal through the Common App
or Apply Texas
or the UC App
or Questbridge
.
Apply Texas
Apply Texas
Apply Texas B
Apply Texas C
Common App
Common App
UC App
UC App
Questbridge
Questbridge

When are

Occidental College

applications due?

Early Action:
Early Action II:
Early Decision:
November 15, 2024
Early Decision II:
January 10, 2025
Restrictive Early Action:
Regular Decision:
January 10, 2025

How many essays are required to apply to

Occidental College

?

There's also
1
optional essay(s).
There are no optional essays.

Want to talk about your

Occidental College

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

Talk with us

Occidental College

Supplemental Essay Prompts

Occidental: Choose 1 of 3

Why are you applying to Occidental? Why do you think Occidental, and our location in Los Angeles, is the right place for you to pursue your interests?Occidental’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?Research is an integral part of an Occidental education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Occidental student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?

Word count:
250 words
or less.
Requirement:
recommended

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

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or less.
Requirement:

Tips for Writing Supplemental Essays

How to write the best supplemental essays.

Tip #1

Develop Your Personal Brand

Brainstorm all your experiences in high school that you believe will show that you will be successful in college and beyond. The strongest ones will be the foundation of your personal brand.

Tip #2

Highlight Your Strengths

Your essays should highlight one of the 5 traits: drive, intellectual curiosity, initiative, contribution, diversity of experiences

Tip #3

Add to Your Personal Score

Every essay counts to build the overall narrative. Increasing your personal score increases your chances by 10x.

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essay guidance?

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application and essay coaching.
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