Oberlin College Top Questions

Oberlin has the widest variety of identities I've seen in a group of people our age. I come from New York City (as do many other students), so I don't see or expect the same amount of racial or cultural diversity as I do at home. I am always surprised by the diversity of style, sexuality, class and personal beliefs. I've learned so much about myself by getting to know my peers at Oberlin.

Students are diverse but have a very strong common thread, if that makes sense. For example: most students are liberal on the political spectrum, but you could still poll 50 different people about a policy issue and get 50 different opinions and proposed solutions. Another example: One person went to a private school; another went to an inner city public school and is here on scholarship, but they both were drawn to Oberlin by the Jazz program. Most people are pretty relaxed and range anywhere from wearing sweatpants to class to wearing an eccentric outfit made of spandex. Any pretentiousness is usually people trying to be more artistic/indie/hipster; not people trying to show off their wealth or fashion sense.

Students appreciate the value of education, and pursue knowledge in a way that is supportive of those around them, rather than trying to gain a competitive edge. This takes a lot of pressure off when compared with similarly rigorous curricula at other colleges. The mindset of the students is truly what sets Oberlin apart, with the majority of students being open to non-conventional thought processes and forms of self-expression. In other words, Oberlin is a place where the "weird kids" from high school (me!) can feel completely comfortable.

Like I said before, people are smart. That is something I liked about Oberlin very much. In terms of the 'academic-makeup' of the student body, I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't fit in. I was friends with physics majors, art majors, politics majors, creative writing majors, music majors, etc. There is no type of student that dominates the student body. I would say, however, the while ethnic and personal diversity is abundant, geographic diversity is not. At least 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the people I knew were from either the NY metropolitan area, or California. NYC and San Francisco alone make up a large portion of the student body. Can't think of anyone I knew who was from the South. Also, as an Alum, I can safely say that while Oberlin does trumpet its success in sending students on to higher degrees, I knew few people with such aspirations. But perhaps that will change once they see their UG degree won't get them far by itself.

Very friendly and helpful, and devoted to learning. They tend to be very imaginative and idealistic.

Ma'ayan and Aries made a video about a day in the life of an Oberlin student. The film goes from breakfast at the Black River Cafe, class, practicing in the Conservatory, research with the Neuroscience Department and studying in the library.

The student body, by and large, is pretty neurotic. The only people I knew who had any chutzpah were the drug dealers.

They are passionate, artistic, politically aware and active, and motivated.

I am in the music conservatory which is vastly different from the college. Most of the college students came to Oberlin for the liberal campus; therefore, there is a lot of activism throughout. The students in the conservatory came for the music program, not the politically charged campus, and act a bit differently. I would say that most of the conservatory students are liberal, but tend to follow a less radical form of liberalism.

weird

The students I go to school with are very smart, love to learn, are diverse and open minded.

Lovingly insane.

The students who come here are different individuals who either wish to become serious musicians, serious arts and sciences students, aware of their blossoming unique identities and sexualities, or party: i.e. Oberlin students are like students at any other school, but with the addition of a more liberal atmosphere and high quality conservatory on campus.