Admission
Admission to either division of
Oberlin College--the College of Arts and Sciences or the Conservatory
of Music--is competitive and selective, and based on a student's
prior achievement as well as future promise. Students may apply
to both divisions. Separate applications, fees, transcripts and
recommendation forms are required for each division. Students admitted
to both divisions can choose to enroll in either the College of
Arts and Sciences or the Conservatory of Music or in the five-year
Double-Degree Program (leading to a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor
of Music degree). Decisions on the two applications are reached
independently.
Application
for Admission
Applicants should
write to the appropriate Admissions Office for
application forms, indicating the date they plan to
graduate from high school. Application forms for
high school seniors are available after August 1.
High school juniors may file a preliminary request
card, which is kept on file to ensure forwarding of
the application at the appropriate time.
Oberlin enrolls
new students in September and February.
Applications for
fall semester must be postmarked by
November
15 (College of Arts and Sciences, Early
Decision I);
January 2
(College of Arts and Sciences, Early Decision
II);
January 15
(College of Arts and Sciences Regular Decision
and
international
students);
February
15 (Conservatory freshmen and transfer
applicants); and
March 15
(College of Arts and Sciences transfer
applicants).
All applications
for spring semester must be submitted by November
15.
Early
Admission
Students wishing to enter Oberlin
before completing the traditional four years of high school should
submit a letter outlining their educational goals and provide evidence
that they are socially and emotionally ready for the challenge of
college. Early Admission students are required to visit the campus
for an interview.
College of
Arts and Sciences
Preparation
Students applying to Oberlin should
present a program of studies combining breadth and depth, and are
encouraged to include enriched or Advanced Placement courses when
available.
The best-prepared candidates usually
present the following:
four years of English (with
an emphasis on writing);
three years of one foreign language;
four years of mathematics;
three years of natural science;
and
three years of social studies,
including history.
Applicants whose interests in college
may require calculus should take as much mathematics as possible.
Trigonometry and pre-calculus are especially recommended.
For students intending to major
in the natural sciences, courses in biology, chemistry and physics
are all highly desirable. Foreign language study beyond the third
year is also highly desirable.
Students from secondary schools
that do not offer all of these courses should not feel discouraged
from applying to Oberlin, especially if they have strong records
of achievement within their schools and are looking for an academic
challenge at the college level. Oberlin seeks students who exhibit
traits of leadership and significant involvement in their schools
and communities, and gives careful individual attention to each
application. Entry-level foundation and introductory courses are
offered to help entering students of special circumstance. For example,
Mastering Skills for Efficient Reading is a course designed
to improve critical reading skills.
Students who have been enrolled
in ungraded or innovative systems should present evidence of serious
academic and intellectual effort, including detailed recommendations
from a variety of academic teachers and counselors. Home-schooled
students should contact the appropriate Admissions Office for information
about Oberlin's Home School policy.
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