College of Arts and Sciences Admissions

Admissions 101 for Homeschooled Students

Thanks for considering Oberlin College. As an institution known for embracing diversity and expanding social norms, we welcome applications from students with both conventional and alternative schooling.

We know it's not easy weighing your options for where to spend your college years. It can be a challenge to keep up with the many forms and documents required for admission and financial aid. This page provides a snapshot of what you can expect applying to Oberlin College as a homeschooled student.

Take a look around, contact us, ask us questions, and find out what Oberlin is all about. Better yet, plan a visit to the campus, where you can talk to current students, meet with professors, and see why many of the nation’s brightest, most talented students choose Oberlin College.

• When to Apply
• What's Required
• What We Look For
• When to Visit
• How to Afford College

When to Apply

There are two decision plans under which you may apply to Oberlin College: early decision and regular decision. The Early Decision Plan is for students who, after careful consideration, have decided that Oberlin is their first choice. An early decision application is a binding commitment that should be carefully considered. Students applying under the Early Decision Plan must agree to enroll if accepted. If Oberlin admits you, you must withdraw applications to all other institutions.

We accept applications for early decision at two different times of the year; applications for regular decision are accepted only once a year. Here are the deadlines:

Begin preparing your application materials well in advance of the deadline, and be sure to allow plenty of time to get letters of recommendation from adults (other than a parent) who are familiar with your academic work and abilities. All required documents should be submitted by the applicable deadline; please call us at 800-622-6243 if you are having any difficulty completing your application.

What's Required

When evaluating applications for admission to Oberlin College, we seek evidence of academic preparation and proficiency comparable to:

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of mathematics
• 3 years of the same foreign language
• 3 years of laboratory sciences
• 3 years of social studies, including history

We cannot begin reviewing your application until we have received all of the required parts:

• Common Application
• Common Application Personal Essay
• Supplement to the Common Application
• Academic portfolio (in place of transcript) with detailed syllabi listing the subjects studied each year, a description of each course of study, major texts used or literature read, and evidence of science lab experiences
• Test scores from either the SAT I and two SAT II subject exams, or the ACT with writing exam
• Recommendations from two adults other than a parent (in place of teacher evaluations), although a parent may submit a teacher recommendation if s/he was the primary instructor
• Recent academic paper or scientific laboratory report

A campus visit and interview are required for homeschooled students applying for admission. You may schedule an on-campus interview through the end of January.

What We Look For

Oberlin admissions counselors engage in a holistic review process when reading and evaluating each application. This means many factors are considered, with no one component of the application singled out as most important.

• We seek an incoming class that represents a variety of talents, viewpoints, and achievements.
• Although we require you to provide standardized test scores, no applicant is ever granted or denied admission to Oberlin solely on the basis of test scores.
• Recommendations from private instructors, coaches, clergy, mentors, extracurricular activity advisors, or employers that show evidence of your writing, analytical, and quantitative abilities.

When to Visit

Whether you have heard a lot or very little about Oberlin College, it’s important to form your own opinion. A visit to campus is one of the best ways to discover what Oberlin has to offer. When visiting Oberlin, you can attend classes, meet with professors, take tours, attend a group information session—even spend a night in a residence hall.

Oberlin on the Road

Admissions counselors travel to various cities in the United States and in other countries to speak with prospective students at high schools, college fairs, and other events.

How to Afford College

Oberlin's financial aid policy is simple: We meet the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student through a combination of grants, scholarships, student loans, and income earned from on-campus jobs. Each year, about two thirds of all students receive some form of need-based financial assistance.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, homeschooled students must complete one of several standardized tests. Contact Oberlin's Office of Financial Aid at 800-693-3173 for details on acceptable tests.