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Submit an Arts Supplement

Have a creative streak? Tell us about it.

If you’re passionate about music, theater, or visual art and plan to pursue those interests at Occidental, we encourage you to submit an arts supplement as part of your application. While your academic qualifications are the most important factor in admission, a strong artistic submission can help us better understand your talents and interests.

Arts Supplement Basics

  • Submitting a supplement is optional. You do not need to submit one to be considered for any arts program, major, or minor.
  • You may submit a fine arts resume, portfolio, or performance sample.
  • Submissions must be uploaded through via the by your chosen application deadline.
  • Admission officers will always have access to your arts submission during the application review process.

Guidelines for Music Submissions

  • Vocalists and instrumentalists: Submit video of at least two works of contrasting style or historical period
  • Composers: Include video or audio recordings of two contrasting compositions.
  • Jazz musicians: Submit a video of a slow jazz ballad and an up-tempo jazz standard.
  • All music students: Include a music-specific resumé in addition to video recordings.

Music submissions will be evaluated by faculty in the Music Department. Evaluations are based on applicant’s skill and capacity to contribute to Occidental’s music program. Submissions indicate an intention to participate in the music programs at Occidental.

Guidelines for Theater Submissions

  • Actors: Submit a short video.
  • Designers/Technicians: Upload a digital portfolio (photos, models, work in progress, finished projects, design drawings, technical drawings, etc.).
  • Playwrights: Submit writing samples.
  • Directors/Stage Managers: Include concept statements, blocking notes, samples from prompt books, or other means of showing your work.
  • All theater students: Include a theater resumé.

Theater submissions will be evaluated by faculty in the Theater & Performance Studies Department. Each fall, the department hosts a workshop for prospective high school seniors. Contact the Theater & Performance Studies department to learn more.

Guidelines for Visual Art Submissions

  • All art students: Upload up to five recent images of your original work.

Visual art supplements are reviewed by faculty in the Art & Art History Department.

 

Arts Supplement FAQs

Images may be of any size. Video must be less than 250 MB. Audio files need to be less than 30 MB. Documents must be less than 10 MB.

No, art supplements are optional and may support a student's application, but will never hinder them in the admission process.

Only theater, music, and visual art submissions are reviewed by faculty. For other art forms, include them in your activities list or link to your work in the Additional Information section of your application.

No, an audition is not required. 

Yes! We encourage submissions from students who intend to participate in campus arts communities, regardless of major.

Occidental no longer accepts portfolios featuring filmmaking, video production, or other media arts projects for review as part of the admission process. Students interested in Media Arts & Culture are encouraged to share their creative interests and experiences through other components of their application, including the activities section.

This change does not affect video submissions documenting work in other artistic disciplines, such as musical or theatrical performances.

Department Contacts

For general questions, contact the Office of Admission, or reach out to a specific department:

Music: Désirée LaVertu

Theater: Sarah Kozinn

Visual Art: Betsy Dillon

Contact Admission
Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Phone: (323) 259-2700
admission@oxy.edu