Admissions 101 for Transfer Students
Thanks for considering Oberlin College. We welcome the applications of transfer and nontraditional students, who bring a depth of experience to campus. This page provides a summary of what you can expect applying to Oberlin College as a U.S. transfer student. What do I need to do to get admitted? Will my credits transfer? Here we’ve tried to answer the questions you may already have about Oberlin College.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 brightest, most talented students choose Oberlin College.
When to Apply
Application Deadlines
| Steps | Transfer for Fall Semester | Transfer for Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Due Date for Applications |
March 15 * | Nov. 15 |
| Notification | May 15 | Dec. 15 |
| Reply/Deposit Due | Two weeks after receiving acceptance letter or financial aid offer, whichever is later. | |
Begin preparing your application materials well in advance of the suggested submission date, and be sure to give your professors and high school guidance counselor plenty of time to write letters of recommendation. Please call us at 800-622-6243 if you are having any difficulty completing your application.
| Note |
* International transfer students are strongly encouraged to apply by January 15, for fullest consideration. If you are an international student planning to transfer to Oberlin, go to: |
|---|
What's Required
You are considered a transfer applicant if you have been enrolled in a degree program at another college or university or if you’ve earned more than 30 semester hours of credit.The Common Application and Supplement forms must be submitted online. We will begin reviewing your application once we have received all of the required parts:
- Common Application Form
- Common Application Personal Essay
- Oberlin Supplement
- College Official's Report (completed by academic dean of previous college or university)
- College Transcript(s)
- Transfer Midterm Evaluation (completed by current professors)
- Faculty Recommendations (from two academic professors)
- High School Report (completed by guidance counselor or principal)
- High School Transcript
- Results of either the SAT or ACT with writing score (SAT II subject tests are optional)
What We Look For
Oberlin seeks an incoming class with a variety of talents, viewpoints, and achievements. In selecting transfer students, we focus primarily on your college academic record. You must submit transcripts of all college work completed and evidence of good standing, both personal and academic.We also look at your high school record, personal recommendations, and standardized test scores. For admission to Oberlin, you should be earning a B average or better in college and present compelling reasons for wanting to leave your current institution. Preference is given to students who have completed at least one full year of college study prior to applying to Oberlin.
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.Interviews
A campus interview is strongly recommended but not required for admission. You may schedule an on-campus interview through the end of January.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.Transferring Credit
You may transfer a maximum number of 56 credit hours toward an Oberlin degree. Students can normally transfer 16 semester hours credit for each full semester (10 semester hours for each quarter) or 32 semester hours for each full academic year.We can’t guarantee that credit accepted for transfer will automatically be applied toward your major; acceptance requires the approval of the appropriate department or program. You have a time limit of one year from when you enter Oberlin to request transfer of credit and provide documentation.