College of Arts and Sciences Admissions


Transfer Applicants

If you are a U.S. student who has been enrolled in a degree program at another college or university or you have earned more than 30 semester hours of credit, you are considered a transfer student. Transfer students may apply for either the spring or fall semester. For spring admission, application review begins on a rolling basis in November with priority given to applications received by the Nov. 15 deadline. Review of applications for fall admission begins on a rolling basis in March with priority given to applications completed by the March 15 deadline. Applications completed after these deadlines will be considered as space allows. Below you will find application deadlines, an outline of the application process, and admission criteria.

Application Deadlines

Steps Fall Semester Spring Semester
Application Deadline March 15 Nov. 15
Notification* May 1 Dec. 15
Reply/Deposit Due Two weeks after receiving acceptance letter or financial aid offer, whichever is later.

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Transfer Students
Visiting Students
* Notification for visiting students will be no later than one month after application deadline.

Application Outline

The application for Oberlin's College of Arts and Sciences is the Common Application, plus a supplement for transfer students. All parts are required:
  • Common Application
    To be submitted online
  • Oberlin Supplement to the Common Application
    To be submitted online including personal essay
  • College Official’s Report
    To be completed by academic dean of previous college or university
  • Transfer Midterm Evaluation
    To be completed by current professors
  • High School Report
    To be completed by guidance counselor or principal
  • Letters of Recommendation
    Two recommendations are required. One must be completed by an academic professor at your current college/university. The other must be completed by another faculty member or by someone else who can provide valuable insights about you (employer, clergy person, etc.).
  • Transcripts

    You are required to submit official transcripts of all high school and college work completed, as well as evidence of good standing, both academic and personal.

    Standardized Test Score

    Results of either the SAT or ACT with writing score (SAT II subject tests are optional) should be sent directly from the testing service.

    Note If you are applying for Visiting Student status, please complete the same application form as do transfer students, with three important differences:
    • Your essay should explain why you want to spend a semester or year at Oberlin (describe courses, subjects, or experiences that may not be available at your home institution).
    • In place of the College Official's Report, you should ask an administrator at your home institution (a registrar, academic dean, or advisor, for example) to send a brief letter to the Office of Admissions endorsing your application for visiting status at Oberlin College.
    • On your application form, indicate whether you want to stay for one or two semesters.

    Application Fee

    A $35 application fee is required. If paying the fee would pose a financial burden for you or your family, you may request that the fee be waived.