Located in a quaint secluded town, Oberlin College is a uniquely progressive Liberal Arts institution committed to equipping students with the tools and knowledge to affect their immediate environment positively. The affiliated Oberlin Conservatory provides extremely rigorous musical training under some of the most influential professors and guest lecturers, artists, and coaches in the current music scene. With a plethora of independent projects, student run classes, organizations, clubs, activities, and a wholehearted commitment to training and involvement, I could not recommend Oberlin more.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
One of the most impressive features of Oberlin is the professors' genuine commitment to education and the individual. Whether you are looking at the college or conservatory, my number one suggestion is to schedule private meetings with the professors in the departments of interest to you, and learn about the things Oberlin has to offer which are specific to your goals. As a conservatory student, I would highly impress upon any conservatory prospectives to observe and take trial lessons with the teachers in which you are interested. Be sure to meet with the someone from the admissions office and ask specific questions, as well as of course taking a tour, staying overnight in a dorm, and observing classes.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
There is no question that Oberlin is teeming with rigorous academics. As a conservatory student, I have never worked harder or been more challenged in my life. From observations of the college classes and personal experience in the conservatory, it is clear that Oberlin's curriculum is holistically designed to coincide with other classes in order to provide a complete understanding in your field of study. In addition, the classes are formatted to support individual thinking and personal development.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Unfortunately, the housing at Oberlin is extremely expensive, and although there are some very nice dorms, there are also living spaces with very little to offer in terms of appeal. My dorm this year is quite old and quite dirty. However, it is not lacking in the least in terms of community and spirit. My dorm experience has been extremely enjoyable because of the work Oberlin puts towards providing community experiences within the dorm. Although it is not glamorous, it is certainly full of character. In addition, I have stepped into beautiful and very clean dorms on campus that would be just lovely to be a part of in every way. However, my honest assessment does have to reflect my lovely yet dirty, old, and expensive dorm experience. Oberlin students also have the option of living in a housing cooperative which is much less expensive and provides community living through the student run group, OSCA.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Oberlin's general views on sustainability and healthy living is clearly reflected in the food and dining. The dining services at Oberlin have a wide variety of mostly locally and organically grown foods. There are also generous options for vegetarians and vegans. There is always fresh fruit and a very complete salad bar at every meal. Different dining halls offer different unique choices, including a global expedition, and the ring of fire both of which offer a build-your-own special entree each day. In addition, there is always access to pizza, a sandwich bar, and a grill which includes burgers, chicken, hot dogs, fries, etc. In addition, there is a lovely dining hall specifically offering comfort food which always provides a huge and dangerously delicious dessert assortment. Aside from the campus dining service, anybody may apply to be in a food cooperative, which in much less expensive and operates upon the collaborative help of all the members. This community food and cooking experience not only provides a great experience, it also serves as a great option for people with dietary restrictions or specific preferences.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Set in a lovely town, the Chinese, Lebanese, Mexican, American, and many other restaurants provide a lovely display of culture and delicious nights. In addition, the coveted Slow Train coffee shop always provides a cool hang out environment paired with delicious coffee and refreshments. The Oberlin Lanes bowling alley and the Apollo movie theater are both sources of inexpensive entertainment. The Oberlin College Art Museum is known as the second best college art museum in the nation next to Yale, and certainly lives up to its expectations. The incredible Conservatory always offers countless student, faculty, and guest artist performances. In addition, downtown Cleveland attractions are but 40 minutes away.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Let's be honest...the buck at Oberlin is HUGE! However, the education matches. The commitment to the student is extremely clear. My private teacher gives above and beyond the requirements for his students with additional lessons each semester, and a technique class for each freshman. In addition, the guest lecturers and artists giving concerts are educationally and financially worth an incredible price. Oberlin Conservatory has more Steinway pianos than anywhere in the world excluding the Steinway factory. This speaks to the type of equipment and resources with which the students work. The Conservatory Library never ceases to amaze me with the unreal amount of resources it provides. In addition to this, the orchestra tours and experiences are included in tuition. This year's tour to NYC in January is of no cost to the students participating. Oberlin provides a plethora of resources, highly renown faculty and guests, and will bend over backwards to provide what you need for your learning experience. Although Oberlin's tuition is extraordinarily high, this price reflects the incredible experiences and opportunities that await its students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Oberlin never ceases to surprise me with its truly unique characteristics and traditions. Oberlin is laced with unusual traditions from painting the 5 foot rocks in the campus square to the African Heritage House pledge recited at dinner each night. Oberlin College is a unique pocket of energy and development which results in very unique traditions which warm the environment and student life at Oberlin. If you are interested in understanding just how beautifully unique Oberlin is...schedule a visit!!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Oberlin is a great place for students looking to impact the future. One example of Oberlin's cutting edge tendencies is its participation in the Civil War as an underground railroad stop. In addition, Jerry of Ben and Jerry's was an Oberlin student, as well as the famous 20th century composer William Grant Still among many other famous musicians. Oberlin College is a great place for students interested in affecting their immediate environment positively, and contributing to the community. In addition, Oberlin Conservatory is widely considered one of the finest music institutions in the nation. With some of the best professors and coaches in the musical scene today, any serious musician ready for incredible challenges should strongly consider Oberlin.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
From musical theater, dance, sports, musical ensembles, community service, non-violence activists, anti-fracking, and Jewish community groups, Oberlin is not short in clubs and activities in any area. There is a plethora of opportunities and groups to be involved in which cover an extremely broad range of interests. The themes of sustainability, progressive tendencies, and active movements towards a better future are reflected in the student run clubs and activities. Perhaps one of the most interesting student contributions are through the Experimental College. This group offers courses for Pass/No Pass credit for all students. The classes range from knitting to dancing to kickboxing, and provide a unique blend of experiences. If for some reason you find a certain area lacking in student clubs, then start one up!!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is nonexistent in its traditional sense at Oberlin. However, the equivalent is found through Program Housing. These houses include Asia House, African Heritage House, Spanish House, French House, and other houses unique to a specific belief or culture. This community experience binds residents together through a similar background or conviction, and also serves as a great educational tool.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus Safety does their job very well at Oberlin. As far as safety goes, there is very little to worry about on campus. The general sentiments of the college strive for peaceful community living. This contributes greatly to the safe environment at Oberlin. The generous lighting at night on frequently traveled pathways ensures a general feeling of safety. Although there have been minor incidents of theft, this is easily avoided by locking your door and keeping an eye on your belongings. In each case, campus safety is very intentional about informing students and keeping everyone safe. As far as security goes, Oberlin is in very good hands.
Located in a quaint secluded town, Oberlin College is a uniquely progressive Liberal Arts institution committed to equipping students with the tools and knowledge to affect their immediate environment positively. The affiliated Oberlin Conservatory provides extremely rigorous musical training under some of the most influential professors and guest lecturers, artists, and coaches in the current music scene. With a plethora of independent projects, student run classes, organizations, clubs, activities, and a wholehearted commitment to training and involvement, I could not recommend Oberlin more.
One of the most impressive features of Oberlin is the professors' genuine commitment to education and the individual. Whether you are looking at the college or conservatory, my number one suggestion is to schedule private meetings with the professors in the departments of interest to you, and learn about the things Oberlin has to offer which are specific to your goals. As a conservatory student, I would highly impress upon any conservatory prospectives to observe and take trial lessons with the teachers in which you are interested. Be sure to meet with the someone from the admissions office and ask specific questions, as well as of course taking a tour, staying overnight in a dorm, and observing classes.
There is no question that Oberlin is teeming with rigorous academics. As a conservatory student, I have never worked harder or been more challenged in my life. From observations of the college classes and personal experience in the conservatory, it is clear that Oberlin's curriculum is holistically designed to coincide with other classes in order to provide a complete understanding in your field of study. In addition, the classes are formatted to support individual thinking and personal development.
Unfortunately, the housing at Oberlin is extremely expensive, and although there are some very nice dorms, there are also living spaces with very little to offer in terms of appeal. My dorm this year is quite old and quite dirty. However, it is not lacking in the least in terms of community and spirit. My dorm experience has been extremely enjoyable because of the work Oberlin puts towards providing community experiences within the dorm. Although it is not glamorous, it is certainly full of character. In addition, I have stepped into beautiful and very clean dorms on campus that would be just lovely to be a part of in every way. However, my honest assessment does have to reflect my lovely yet dirty, old, and expensive dorm experience. Oberlin students also have the option of living in a housing cooperative which is much less expensive and provides community living through the student run group, OSCA.
Oberlin's general views on sustainability and healthy living is clearly reflected in the food and dining. The dining services at Oberlin have a wide variety of mostly locally and organically grown foods. There are also generous options for vegetarians and vegans. There is always fresh fruit and a very complete salad bar at every meal. Different dining halls offer different unique choices, including a global expedition, and the ring of fire both of which offer a build-your-own special entree each day. In addition, there is always access to pizza, a sandwich bar, and a grill which includes burgers, chicken, hot dogs, fries, etc. In addition, there is a lovely dining hall specifically offering comfort food which always provides a huge and dangerously delicious dessert assortment. Aside from the campus dining service, anybody may apply to be in a food cooperative, which in much less expensive and operates upon the collaborative help of all the members. This community food and cooking experience not only provides a great experience, it also serves as a great option for people with dietary restrictions or specific preferences.
Set in a lovely town, the Chinese, Lebanese, Mexican, American, and many other restaurants provide a lovely display of culture and delicious nights. In addition, the coveted Slow Train coffee shop always provides a cool hang out environment paired with delicious coffee and refreshments. The Oberlin Lanes bowling alley and the Apollo movie theater are both sources of inexpensive entertainment. The Oberlin College Art Museum is known as the second best college art museum in the nation next to Yale, and certainly lives up to its expectations. The incredible Conservatory always offers countless student, faculty, and guest artist performances. In addition, downtown Cleveland attractions are but 40 minutes away.
Let's be honest...the buck at Oberlin is HUGE! However, the education matches. The commitment to the student is extremely clear. My private teacher gives above and beyond the requirements for his students with additional lessons each semester, and a technique class for each freshman. In addition, the guest lecturers and artists giving concerts are educationally and financially worth an incredible price. Oberlin Conservatory has more Steinway pianos than anywhere in the world excluding the Steinway factory. This speaks to the type of equipment and resources with which the students work. The Conservatory Library never ceases to amaze me with the unreal amount of resources it provides. In addition to this, the orchestra tours and experiences are included in tuition. This year's tour to NYC in January is of no cost to the students participating. Oberlin provides a plethora of resources, highly renown faculty and guests, and will bend over backwards to provide what you need for your learning experience. Although Oberlin's tuition is extraordinarily high, this price reflects the incredible experiences and opportunities that await its students.
Oberlin never ceases to surprise me with its truly unique characteristics and traditions. Oberlin is laced with unusual traditions from painting the 5 foot rocks in the campus square to the African Heritage House pledge recited at dinner each night. Oberlin College is a unique pocket of energy and development which results in very unique traditions which warm the environment and student life at Oberlin. If you are interested in understanding just how beautifully unique Oberlin is...schedule a visit!!
Oberlin is a great place for students looking to impact the future. One example of Oberlin's cutting edge tendencies is its participation in the Civil War as an underground railroad stop. In addition, Jerry of Ben and Jerry's was an Oberlin student, as well as the famous 20th century composer William Grant Still among many other famous musicians. Oberlin College is a great place for students interested in affecting their immediate environment positively, and contributing to the community. In addition, Oberlin Conservatory is widely considered one of the finest music institutions in the nation. With some of the best professors and coaches in the musical scene today, any serious musician ready for incredible challenges should strongly consider Oberlin.
From musical theater, dance, sports, musical ensembles, community service, non-violence activists, anti-fracking, and Jewish community groups, Oberlin is not short in clubs and activities in any area. There is a plethora of opportunities and groups to be involved in which cover an extremely broad range of interests. The themes of sustainability, progressive tendencies, and active movements towards a better future are reflected in the student run clubs and activities. Perhaps one of the most interesting student contributions are through the Experimental College. This group offers courses for Pass/No Pass credit for all students. The classes range from knitting to dancing to kickboxing, and provide a unique blend of experiences. If for some reason you find a certain area lacking in student clubs, then start one up!!
Greek life is nonexistent in its traditional sense at Oberlin. However, the equivalent is found through Program Housing. These houses include Asia House, African Heritage House, Spanish House, French House, and other houses unique to a specific belief or culture. This community experience binds residents together through a similar background or conviction, and also serves as a great educational tool.
Campus Safety does their job very well at Oberlin. As far as safety goes, there is very little to worry about on campus. The general sentiments of the college strive for peaceful community living. This contributes greatly to the safe environment at Oberlin. The generous lighting at night on frequently traveled pathways ensures a general feeling of safety. Although there have been minor incidents of theft, this is easily avoided by locking your door and keeping an eye on your belongings. In each case, campus safety is very intentional about informing students and keeping everyone safe. As far as security goes, Oberlin is in very good hands.