Early Decision Admissions Option

What is Early Decision?

Oberlin Conservatory offers two decision plans for first-year applicants: Early Decision and Regular Decision. Early Decision is a way for students to show us that Oberlin Conservatory is their first choice! Submitting an Early Decision application means that if admitted, you will definitely enroll at Oberlin Conservatory. Students can only apply to one school via Early Decision, but may still submit Regular Decisions applications to other schools. If you are admitted to Oberlin Conservatory via Early Decision, you will be required to withdraw any other pending applications.

Benefits of Early Decision

Applying to Oberlin Conservatory through Early Decision helps you stand out in the applicant pool. Early Decision can also help you complete your college search by the middle of senior year and reduce the stress that often comes with the college selection process. Students admitted via Early Decision also receive priority housing selection!

How to Apply 

Early Decision applicants submit the same application materials as all other first-year applicants, along with an Early Decision Agreement form.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Oberlin is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for every student who is admitted. When you complete a financial aid application, Oberlin automatically considers you for need-based college grants in addition to any state and federal grants, loans, or work-study programs for which you may qualify.

Learn more about financial aid at Oberlin.

We encourage students who are interested in Early Decision to use our MyinTuition Calculator to quickly estimate their eligibility for need-based financial aid:

Financial Aid Estimates

High school seniors can also request a need-based financial aid review to receive a more in-depth estimate of their need-based financial aid eligibility. Requests for an estimate must be received by October 15.

U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

Submit Oberlin's Financial Aid Early Estimate Request form to start the review process. You will need the following information to complete this form:

• Student: 2025 income, total assets 
• Parent(s): 2025 income and expenses, total assets
• A copy of 2025 parent Federal tax return(s)
• A copy of 2025 parent W-2(s)

International Students

If you will apply to Oberlin as an international student, follow these steps to request an estimate:

1. Submit your Early Decision application to Oberlin (you can wait to submit the binding ED agreement until after you receive your estimate)
2. Submit the CSS Profile (Oberlin's code is 1587)
3. Submit the Non-Custodial Parent information (if applicable)
4. You will gain access to your Oberlin applicant portal within 1–3 days of submitting your application. Use your portal login credentials to submit this form to request your financial aid estimate.

Merit Scholarships

Oberlin awards generous merit-based scholarships and automatically reviews all applicants for scholarship eligibility. Admitted students will be notified of their scholarship award when they receive their admission packet.

At minimum, all new students who enroll will be awarded the renewable $10,000 Oberlin Commitment Scholarship. Admitted students from the Midwest are eligible for the $25,000 Midwest Merit Scholarship. 

Learn more about merit scholarships.

Double Degree Applicants

Students who are interested in pursuing degrees in both the Conservatory of Music and the College of Arts and Sciences must apply separately to each division.  

There are several application rounds for you to choose from. The College of Arts & Sciences and the Conservatory of Music both offer Early Decision and Regular Decision. In addition, you can apply to the College only via Early Action.

Learn more about the Double Degree program and options for applying Early.