Applying to Occidental College this year? You're in the right place! Occidental, also known as Oxy, has released its new essay prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle. To help you put together magnificent supplemental essays, let’s take a closer look at each question and how you can effectively approach them.
Occidental College Essay Prompts
The Occidental College supplemental essays prompt you to answer one of the following questions in 200 to 250 words:
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?
How to Tackle Each Occidental Supplemental Essay
The Why Occidental Prompt:
For the first prompt, “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?,” it's essential to delve into specific aspects of Occidental that align with your academic and personal goals. Are you attracted to Oxy's interdisciplinary approach? Their dedication to environmental sustainability? The opportunities that Los Angeles offers? Conduct thorough research on the college and highlight how these unique factors will help you fulfill your aspirations. Sups AI can assist in brainstorming ideas in line with Oxy’s offerings.
The Community Prompt:
When addressing the second prompt, “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?,” focus on your unique background and experiences. How have your interactions in diverse settings shaped your outlook? Think about how you will contribute to Occidental's vibrant community. Perhaps you’ve had a significant role in a service project or have a unique cultural heritage to share. Unpacking your story and how it aligns with Oxy’s mission can be simplified using Sups AI’s brainstorming tools.
The Research Prompt:
For the third prompt, “Research is an integral part of an Occidental education... What are you researching and why?,” clarity and passion are key. Describe a problem or question that genuinely fascinates you. How does it tie into your academic interests at Occidental? Maybe you’re passionate about renewable energy solutions or socio-economic factors influencing education. Showing how your project integrates with Occidental’s resources or professors’ expertise will strengthen your essay. Sups AI can give feedback on draft ideas and help refine your vision.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the prompt you choose, make sure your essay exudes authenticity and passion. Occidental College values community, diversity, and intellectual curiosity. Use the opportunity to showcase who you are and how Oxy is the perfect place for your next academic journey. Don't hesitate to leverage the capabilities of Sups AI, which has already helped thousands of students excel in crafting stellar applications. By utilizing their feedback and one-on-one chats with current students, you can perfect your Occidental College supplemental essays.
