Dickinson College vs Occidental College

Dickinson College is the more selective of the two at 37%, versus 37% at Occidental College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Dickinson College
Selective
37%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1380
Private · Pennsylvania
Occidental College
Selective
37%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1420
Private · California

Dickinson College vs Occidental College: the differences that matter

How Dickinson College and Occidental College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Dickinson College and Occidental College are almost equally selective (37% vs 37%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Dickinson College leans more on a similar mix of factors, while Occidental College puts more weight on application essay, extracurricular activities, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Dickinson College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1380 and Occidental College's is around 1420. Admitted students at Occidental College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorDickinson CollegeOccidental College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayimportantvery important
Recommendationsimportantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Dickinson College or Occidental College harder to get into?

Dickinson College is harder to get into, with a 37% acceptance rate versus 37% at Occidental College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Dickinson College and Occidental College?

Dickinson College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1380, and Occidental College's is around 1420.

What are my chances at Dickinson College and Occidental College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.