Early Decision
If Oberlin is your first choice, Early Decision could be right for you!
What is Early Decision?
Oberlin offers three decision plans for first-year applicants: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Early Decision is a way for students to show us that Oberlin is their first choice! Submitting an Early Decision application means that if admitted, you will definitely enroll at Oberlin.
Students can only apply to one school via Early Decision, but may still submit Early Action and Regular Decisions applications to other schools. If you are admitted to Oberlin via Early Decision, you will be required to withdraw any other pending applications.
Benefits of Early Decision
Your commitment to Oberlin through an Early Decision application helps you stand out in the applicant pool and increases your chance of admission. It can also help you finish your college search mid-way through your senior year and ease the stress that often accompanies the college selection process.
Our acceptance rate for Early Decision is considerably higher than for Regular Decision:
Rate of Admission (5 Year Average)
Early Decision: 66%
Regular Decision: 35%
Students admitted via Early Decision also receive priority housing selection!
"I chose to apply Early Decision because I knew that Oberlin was where I wanted to be. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I could tell that Oberlin was a community of people passionate about their education and that was something I wanted to be a part of. Thanks to Oberlin's commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, I was able to get my college process over with earlier than most of my friends."
Charlie, New York
How to Apply
Oberlin has two rounds of Early Decision that are given equal consideration. Early Decision applicants submit the same application materials as all other first-year applicants, along with an Early Decision Agreement form.
| Steps | Early Decision I | Early Decision II |
|---|---|---|
| Application & Financial Aid Deadlines | November 1 | January 5 |
| Notification By | By December 15 | By February 1 |
| Reply/Deposit Due | Two Weeks After Notification | Two Weeks After Notification |
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:
High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can also request a need-based financial aid review to receive a more in-depth estimate of their need-based financial aid eligibility. 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)
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 should apply separately to each division. Early Decision is an application plan offered by both the College and the Conservatory. Double Degree applicants should only apply Early Decision to the College of Arts and Sciences if they intend to enroll regardless of the outcome of their Conservatory of Music application. Please see our Double Degree application page for more information on applying Early Decision.
"I fell in love with Oberlin during my college search and knew that Early Decision was definitely the best option for me. I chose Oberlin because I knew it would allow me to grow into the person I wanted to become."
Cora, Oklahoma