Occidental / Interview
The Occidental interview
Optional interview, and it carries minor weight in the decision. Here is how it works and how to prepare.
Optional interview
Optional alumni or current-student interview, ~30-45 min, virtual or in your area; video intro via Glimpse also accepted as an alternative
How to prepare for Occidental
- Treat it as a genuine conversation, not a formal interview , Occidental emphasizes community fit, so be curious and ask your own questions about campus life and the Core Program.
- Emphasize intellectual interests and specific reasons why Occidental's program (especially the Core Curriculum or LA location) appeals to you , vague enthusiasm is less compelling than concrete examples.
- Not interviewing carries no penalty, but completing one is a low-cost way to signal interest at a school where demonstrated fit matters for holistic review.
- If no alumni interviewer is available near you, the Glimpse video option is equally valid , prepare a brief, natural self-introduction rather than a scripted pitch.
Practice before the real thing
Rehearse real admissions-interview questions and get an honest read on your answers, what an interviewer hears, where you sound generic, and what to sharpen. We coach you; we never script you.
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