Transferring colleges is a big step鈥攖his page outlines the eligibility requirements and key academic expectations for students interested in transferring to 绿帽社.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply as a transfer student to Occidental, you must:
- Be a high school graduate or have completed a GED.
- Complete at least one semester (16 units) of academic coursework at an accredited college or university by the time you apply.
- Complete at least two semesters (32 units) by the time you would enroll at Occidental.
- Be prepared to enroll full time (12 academic credits per term minimum). Students typically take 16 units per semester to stay on track to graduate.
What Makes a Strong Transfer Applicant?
We consider all eligible applicants, but our most competitive transfer students typically have:
- Completed at least one year of college-level study
- Taken a full course load (three to four academic courses per term)
- Maintained a GPA of 3.6 or higher in academic coursework
Transfer Credit & Class Standing
To earn your degree at Occidental, you must complete at least 64 of the 128 total units on campus. This means a minimum of two years of full-time study at Occidental.
The number of transferable credits you bring will determine your class standing:
- 32+ transferable units = Sophomore standing
- 64+ transferable units = Junior standing
The Registrar will evaluate your transcript after admission and provide:
- a preliminary credit assessment
- your academic standing
- any remaining General Education requirements
Transfer students may still participate in study abroad and exchange programs, which count toward your two-year on-campus residency.
General Education Requirements
Our general education program is called the Core Program. Transfers are not required to complete all Core requirements before they join Occidental, but we do look at the breadth and depth of a student's curriculum when considering admission. Note: Occidental does not offer remedial coursework.
Use our General Education Worksheet to plan ahead >
Major Preparation
Expectations vary by department. In general, junior transfers should have already taken introductory coursework in their intended major. Several programs have specific expectations or requirements for transfer students:
Economics: Applicants must have taken calculus, microeconomics, and macroeconomics by time of enrollment.
Music: Applicants interested in majoring in Music must complete three full years of coursework at Occidental, unless they choose the Foundations of Music Creation focus. The other focuses鈥攙ocal performance, instrumental performance, music studies鈥攁s well as the production and composition concentrations, are not available to students entering with junior standing.
Media Arts & Culture: Applicants interested in majoring in Media Arts & Culture are required to attend Occidental for 3 years due to course sequencing.
Consult the and departmental websites for more detail. Some majors may request syllabi or reading lists for credit evaluation.
Transfer Class Profile
Transfer students enhance our campus community. Here's a look at those who joined us in Fall 2024.
Class Overview
Male: 53%
Female: 42%
Non-Binary: 5%
Median GPA: 3.77
Transfers from two-year colleges: 37%
Transfers from four-year colleges/universities: 63%
Geographic Distribution
Students from high schools in California: 49%
Students from other U.S. states: 49%
Class Diversity
Domestic students of color: 47%
First-generation students: 21%
Veterans: 5%
Applications
Transfer applicants: 442
Transfers enrolled: 43