Parents and Families of Admitted Students
Welcome parents and families of future Obies! Here you will find information on the next steps in the admission process, financial aid, and student support.
All Roads Lead to Oberlin!
We invite you to engage in All Roads Lead to Oberlin, a compilation of special on-campus visit days and virtual programming for you and your student. We’ve put together an extensive array of options to help you learn about all things Oberlin!
Location
Oberlin College and the city of Oberlin have been partners for nearly 200 years. Located approximately 35 miles southwest of Cleveland, Oberlin was recently named one of Ohio’s Best Hometowns by Ohio Magazine for its architecture, quaint shopping, and extensive entertainment and cultural offerings. Main Street businesses have virtually everything a student could need: coffeehouses, thrift shops, bookstores, galleries, a public library, record store, bike shop, hardware store, yoga studio, and so much more—all within walking distance. Local restaurants offer cuisines ranging from pizza and tater tots to Chinese, Korean, Thai, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and vegan. With its incredibly active arts scene, excellent shops and restaurants, and close-knit community, Oberlin combines the culture of a big city with the peaceful vibe of small-town life.
Photo credit: Bob Handelman
Move-in / Orientation Dates
Virtual orientation begins online in early to mid-August. Move-in day for most students is Friday, August 21, and on-campus orientation runs through the weekend (parent orientation will conclude on Saturday, August 22 by 2 p.m.). Please note that move-in is earlier for athletes, international students, and certain other groups, who will receive additional guidance directly.
Next Steps / Checklist for Arrival
Your student has received a checklist to help them prepare for their arrival on campus in the fall. Please take a look so you can help remind them to complete their tasks on time!
Virtual Campus Tour
Through our virtual tour, you can explore the campus, experience the spaces where your student will create and collaborate, and see the community where they will grow and thrive. It’s the next best thing if you’re unable to visit campus in person, or if you’d just like to get a sneak peek prior to attending an All Roads Lead to Oberlin day.
Academics
An Oberlin education is an extraordinary collaborative enterprise between students and faculty. Your student’s mentors—world-renowned scholars, artists, teachers, and citizens—will guide and push them, invested fully in their promise and future. Your student will be able to choose from more than 90 academic majors, minors, and integrative concentrations, with more than 1,500 classes offered each year across the college and conservatory.
Explore the College of Arts & Sciences
Explore the Conservatory of Music
Gap Years
Enrolling students may request to have their matriculation deferred for one academic year, often referred to as a gap year. This allows students the time to pursue non-academic opportunities through internships, volunteer work, enrichment programs, or other interests. Before requesting a gap year, incoming students must first confirm their enrollment by replying to Oberlin’s offer of admission and submitting their enrollment deposit. Then, a student may submit their gap year request, which is due by June 1.
Music Opportunities for College of Arts & Sciences Students
You’ll find music everywhere at Oberlin, due to the combination of our top-ranked College of Arts and Sciences and world-renowned Conservatory of Music. Whether your student plans to pursue music academically or is simply an avid music lover, there will be countless ways for them to incorporate music into their college experience—from taking lessons, to playing in an ensemble or campus band, to attending one of the 500+ concerts that take place on campus each year.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
Academic Advising
Every new Obie is assigned a first-year academic advisor. Your student will meet with their advisor during New Student Orientation and regularly throughout the first year to discuss academic pathways and strategies for success. Upon declaring a major, your student will choose a faculty advisor from within that department. Double-majors will choose an advisor from each department.
We also like to say that “every new student has a PAL.” PALs (peer advising leaders) are older students trained to help new students successfully navigate academic and experiential learning opportunities during their first semester and beyond. PALs use a cohort-based model to support every Obie’s transition to Oberlin.
The Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC) supports academic advisors and students on issues related to academic success, progress toward degree, courses, grading, and academic standing.
Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97
Housing and Dining
Oberlin provides a diverse range of residential options designed to support student’ personal and academic growth while fostering a strong sense of community. Our housing options include traditional residence halls, dedicated first-year halls that ease the transition to college life, dynamic living-learning communities centered around interests in languages, intercultural exchange, and other wellness community themes, as well as suite-style living, apartments, and private houses that offer greater independence.
All students must have either a college meal plan or an OSCA (Oberlin Student Cooperative Association) meal plan, unless they have an approved dining exemption or disability accommodation. Oberlin has a contract with AVI Foodsystems to operate the dining halls on campus. AVI is committed to cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients in an environmentally sustainable fashion.
Photo credit: Bob Handelman
Having a Car on Campus
Students are welcome to bring a car to campus beginning in their first year (a $200 annual parking registration fee is required), but having a car is not necessary to get around campus and town. Oberlin has a vibrant car/ride sharing culture, and students can also rent a car from the college for $8/hour.
Transportation
There are regular shuttles to and from the airport during all major breaks (fall, Thanksgiving, winter, spring), and various other options during non-peak travel times. The college also runs a free shuttle to Cleveland hot spots four days a week.
Mailing Packages or Letters to your Obie
The Student Mail Room is located in Wilder Hall, Oberlin’s student union. In addition to distributing U.S. mail, the mail room distributes campus mail and UPS, FedEx, and Amazon packages. Please follow the link below for specific instructions on how to properly address mail to your student.
Student Resources
Career Services
The mission of Career Exploration and Development (CED) is to help Obies chart a meaningful path toward their professional future. Our holistic mentoring approach encourages each student to develop the skills, values, and direction best aligned with their evolving career goals. The CED offers one-on-one advising as well as cohort programming to inspire connections and empower students to excel in their chosen fields.
Student Health Services
Oberlin’s Student Health Services practitioners provide primary care services to all Oberlin College and Conservatory students, regardless of the type of insurance coverage. Students may see a certified nurse practitioner or a registered nurse for a broad spectrum of illness and injuries, as well as follow-up care. A network of local experts offer additional specialty care as needed, and the Mercy Allen Hospital (with 24/7 emergency services) is just steps from campus.
Counseling & Psychological Services
Oberlin’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides short-term therapy, psychiatry, group programming, consultation, and community referrals. In the event that longer term therapy is indicated, a student may be referred to a private practitioner in the community. Services are free, and the center offers a hybrid model that allows the student to meet either in person or virtually.
Campus Safety
While Oberlin’s town and campus are incredibly safe by any standard, it’s not something we take for granted. The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are always our top priority. Campus Safety is open 24 hours a day, and the staff responds to any suspicious activity, requests for assistance, and emergency situations. Campus Safety officers regularly patrol campus buildings, residence halls, and grounds by foot, vehicle, and bicycle. Though not sworn police officers, they work closely with the Oberlin police and fire departments as needed.
Academic Support Services
If your student needs help choosing a class, seeking accommodations, finding a tutor, writing a paper, preparing for a class presentation, or anything else, we have them covered! From the Center for Student Success, to Executive Functioning Coaches, to Writing Center Associates, to CLEAR (Center for Learning, Education, and Research in the Sciences) mentors, Oberlin has a wealth of resources to help every Obies navigate their academic journey.
Accessibility Resources
The Office for Disability and Access (ODA) provides resources, education, and direct services to students with disabilities to facilitate a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment. Accommodations, whether in the form of academic adjustments or housing/dining requests, are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Class of 2030 Instagram Group
Please encourage your student to join Oberlin’s class of 2030 Instagram group, @obies2030, to meet their new classmates!
Photo credit: Dale Preston ’83
Campus Store
Hoping to purchase some Oberlin gear for your new Obie? You’ve come to the right place! Our Campus Store, located at the heart of campus in Mudd Center’s Academic Commons, is the #1 destination for Oberlin apparel, supplies, and fun ways to express your Obie pride. Visit in person if you’re going to be on campus, or shop online via the link below.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko