Oberlin College Top Questions

Oberlin is very politically correct. Not oppressively so (people still appreciate off-color jokes about race and the like), but there is a constant awareness of race and gender relations on campus. Lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and genderqueer students are an accepted part of the Oberlin community, and for those who undergo an identity shift during their years at Oberlin, there are great support systems in place. As far as social interactions with LGBTQ students, the best thing to do is listen first, to pick up on the particular pronoun that person wishes to be identified with, though no one will be offended if you just ask. Likewise, if someone you know changes identity, they won't get offended if you mess up a couple times. Religious groups on campus are rarely evangelical, and seem to function more like support groups. They are non-exclusive (anyone can come) and are often a really great way to learn about other faiths. In a somewhat symbolic way, the Kosher/Halal Co-op cooks food specific to the religious dietary requirements of both Jews and Muslims. At the dinner, Jews and Muslims sit together, and prayers are said in both Hebrew and Arabic.

You can be who you are at Oberlin and you'll most likely find someone else who can relate. It's easy to find support groups is you need them and interest groups is you want them. For the most part, students seem to come from upper middle class backgrounds and this can seem limiting but I've met people from all over who fall all along the socio-economic spectrum. As long as Oberlin continues to provide lots of financial aid for those who need it, diversity can be maintained. I've heard it can be hard to have highly conservative socio-political views at Oberlin but, as long as you don't mind being in the minority, there are others with similar outlooks.

If you're a frat boy or a sorority girl, leave now. We dont have any frats or sororities. If you love to party, ehhhh, I'd try somewhere else. We have some, but, not enough to destroy you. Everyone at Oberlin is politically left. Sadly, Oberlin has started to become dominated by upper-middle class white kids who can afford the tuition. That's not to say we aren't diverse. We have people from all parts of the world and try to maintain that at all times!

the "typical" Oberlin student can be summed up in three words: -smart -musical (this does not mean you are in the conservatory - over 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my non-conservatory friends are involved in bands or play an instrument in some way - it is a very musical community and the quality of the conservatory only adds to the environment with extremely famous and talented visiting artists and frequent concerts and operas put on by the students at a very high level) -liberal (there are conservatives here, but they are an extreme minority. many have had no problem being a conservative at Oberlin - the class of 2008 president was a republican - but there are instances of political pressure from the students. for instance, in the 2004 presidential elections, people who openly admitted to intend to vote for Bush often faced a LOT of pressure to just not vote from their friends and peers, or had students attacking their views and forcing them to defend themselves against a barrage of liberal viewpoints) If you fit this description exactly, or would describe yourself with two or even one of these words, you will most likely be quite happy at Oberlin. The one thing I would say is that the most important word up there by far is "smart". Oberlin is a very intellectual atmosphere, sometimes almost pretentiously intellectual, and there isn't a lot of respect for dumb people or people that pretend to be dumb. Actually, that's not entirely correct - you can be dumb as long as you are an extremely gifted musician in the conservatory. oh, and if you aren't gay and transgendered friendly, don't come here, please.

You're going to feel out of place at Oberlin if social issues pertaining to race, sexuality, and socio-economic status are completely foreign to you. I had a roommate (who ended up transferring) who was from a smaller town in Wisconsin and had never knowingly met a homosexual. She learned a lot during her two years at the school and became much more open-minded, but she just couldn't get used to it. She was also a little more politically conservative than most students at Oberlin.

Oberlin is a very accepting place. I think you can find representatives of almost any group. However, I think it is probably disproportionately Caucasian and wealthy. Students wear anything to class. I've seen everything from hooker boots to rollerblades to no shoes. Some of the buildings post signs obligating people to wear shirts. Sometimes it's an issue. There's a good deal of social overlap at Oberlin, but there are still some easily identifiable groups. The football team is pretty exclusive/excluded. Then there's the general "other athletes" group. The conservatory kids generally stick together also. However, none of these groups have hard boundaries.

The student body is not as diverse as you would expect from a school this open-minded. Idealologically, most students are liberal, but there are enough moderates/economic majors to foster lively debates. There are a lot of students from big cities, which makes for very interesting people watching in a small town. People who are jocks through and through sometimes have a hard time fitting in here.

For the most part students at Oberlin are smart and hard workers but fully enjoy their fun time. There are lots of student groups for all kinds of people. They are pretty active and hold concerts, fundraisers etc to raise awareness. They are all welcoming as far as I know. Students wear whatever they feel like, from sweats to high heels. I dont know about other colleges but it seems that at Oberlin there are many types of people and you can find just about anyone. Well no staunch republicans but there is an active republican club. Students are from all over the country and world. Students have aspirations beyond what they will earn but do talk about that sometimes.

Not much religion. There are a lot of wealthy white New Yorkers. Ruled by hipsters. Tons of support for LGBT students- huge population.

Many attest that the student body can be divided into the connies (conservatory students) and everyone else (college students). Overall, the connies tend to be very passionate musicians and are, in general, more conservative than the college students. They tend to form tight knit groups within their studios and instrumental groups. The college students are generally more liberal and cover a large range of personas. Oberlin draws a wide variety of students, but two overarching terms used to describe our student body are awkward and unique.

Hipsters. Hippies. Connies. What's that, you play a sport? Shut up.

... is certainly not fearless. but that only makes it more impressive when we challenge ourselves.

I'm not sure anybody could feel out of place. Maybe staunch conservatives, but there's enough openness and acceptance to go around that I'm not sure that would be awkward or out of place. People tend to be accepting of everything, there's a completely comfortable attitude with LGBT communities, and no racial or religious tension that I have noticed so far. People dress on all ends of the spectrum- polo shirts to hemp pants and walking around barefoot. If there were four tables in the dining hall, we would probably have "the bros," or those athletes that find their way to Oberln, the Larpers, gaming and role-play crowds, a Co-op group, people in co-ops who cook their own food and eat mostly vegetarian, and the other tables would be your average college students- Not everybody identifies as being offbeat. Students are quite politically aware and active- and it's definitely predominantly left and some center. I've never heard a student talk about learning for the sake of a job later or making money- We're here to learn and most people want to "change the world" and help others.

there is a group for everything here. seriously, everything. there is some segregation when it comes to ethnicity, but it's not like people of different races don't interact with each other. the minority population here isn't that big, so i think when it comes to where students live, they almost cling to each other for a since of familiarity. personally, i know only a few seriously religious people, but i know there are some of them here. most people here are liberal. i'd be surprised if there were many, if any, students who described themselves as conservative. we have a pretty strong lgbt community here. most students are politically aware/active.

republicans may feel out of place. most students come from new york city, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago.

The only types of students who would feel out of place at oberlin are probably the "preps" and "jocks" from high school, but even they have their groups. Everyone else is kindof just generally weird in the best way possible. Sometimes that means a little socially awkward; however you come to find it endearing. The students are politically aware and they are definately left-wing. Students wear almost anything to class. Some people look nice, some people come in their pajamas, one boy wears nothing but a bathrobe everywhere and always.

Everyone cares about being politically correct about everything listed. If you were popular and fit in at high school, you will not fit in at Oberlin. If you are not brilliant or a virtuosic musician you will not fit in. Everyone is rich, but pretends that they are not, because people do not want to be in a rich steryotype

People are free to be who they want to be. It's not bad. Recently, I feel like Oberlin may be getting richer in general.

Ok so there are really all types here, except frat boys and sorority girls. The campus is slightly self-segregated between black and white students. There is a slight hesitancy to talk about race, but only because all the white kids are so afraid to be disrespectful, so it comes from a good place but it's still very frustrating. Most kids dress regularly or hipster-y (like whatever's in fashion at the moment). But we have a girl that wears a cape and a guy that wears a bathrobe and one with a Beret, this is Oberlin. I think we are mostly upper-middle class. But then we also have lower class people and international students that may be here on full financial aid. There is quite a gap, with not many people in between ( I dont think). This is a HUGE issue on this damn campus. Privilege is something you will inadvertently be made to feel ashamed of if you allow it. Again, it comes from a good place because people are conscious of it and of disadvantage, but it's kind of taboo to discuss face to face so a lot goes on on the confessional about it. Oh yea, we have a confessional online. People are politically active and involved. Most people are left. not far left but overwhelmingly so. Some people find this homogeneity tiresome. If you're LGBTI you've come to the right place.

Eclectic and ridiculous. You can find your people here. Vegans, hipsters, indie kids, vegetarians, jocks, hippies, artists, writers, musicians, computer programmers, comic book nerds, Japaniphiles, circus kids, theater kids, theater tech workers, LARPers, LGBTQ youth... they're everywhere. The student body is really accepting, and while there are a few cliques around, most friend groups will welcome you happily. Everyone is excited about something, and it's pretty easy to find someone who has that in common with you. Campus is predominantly left, though being right wing only means you'll have more political discussions (probably).