Oberlin College Top Questions

In general I've found Oberlin to be an extremely accepting place. It is rightly known as a liberal school but there is also a respect for the more conservative voice when debates arise. Oberlin students tend to be very passionate about the issues they care about but not everyone is organizing protests. There are many ways to promote awareness of issues on campus from sidewalk chalk, to talking with the administration, to holding concerts to raise money for certain causes. Oberlin as a whole is rather secular but there are religious opportunities for everyone. The most populous religions on campus seem to be Judaism, various Christian religions, and Islam. There is actually a fair amount of inter-faith cooperation because the religious communities are smallish. Oberlin is very aware of LGBT issues and generally goes out of its way to make LGBT students feel welcome and accepted. I have to admit I'm not very aware of the socio-economic background of most people on campus. I tend to feel that the upper middle class is the most highly represented but that could just be me. Because the dress at Oberlin is soooo casual that aspect of financial differences is almost completely lost.

Republicans and very conservative people would feel out of place at oberlin. They could still find a niche, everyone can, but it would be tougher. Anyone else in a "minority" would probably feel right at home, people joke it can be a school of "misfits" or people who don't fit the mold.

The most prevalent socio-economical class of students is rich white students. These students damn their own economic status, and help (at least attempt to on the surface) those 'less fortunate' than themselves.

I hate to say it, but Oberlin is an ugly college. Many kids don't dress well, and often don't take showers. The campus is somewhat hostile to main stream views, people with money, and men. This is changing and not everyone feels this way. These feeling vary by department. Some professors down grade for "wrong" political ideas and some students glare at you for liking "normal" gender roles. Other professors encourage intelligent thought and other students respect everyone's choices.

Like I said before, the hipster scene is annoying, and you don't get ostracized as much as you'd imagine for being a "jock." There are Republican clubs and activities. Religiously, it's predominately Jewish. Coming out in Oberlin is probably a let-down... half the campus is gay or bi anyway, ("I'm gggaaayyyyy!" "Welcome to Oberlin.")

There is a wide variety of students at Oberlin, with a truly large spectrum of cities, countries, backgrounds, races, religions, sexual orientations and genders. Everyone has their own style and their own ideas. The only people that feel uncomfortable at Oberlin are the conservatives.

Great! Extremely diverse. You can find your best friend here easily, no matter who you are or what your interests are.

The Oberlin campus is very accepting towards LGBTs, and has a lot of clubs and classes dealing with such social issues. I think athletes would feel the most out of place at Oberlin. Most students dress pretty casually, but are more adventurous in their wardrobe now that high school is over. Different types of students certainly interact, but I feel like racial groups are still a little separated, due to placement of program houses (Afrikan Heritage, Jewish Heritage, and Hispanic house are all the way in south campus). Students are very politically involved, there's always some sort of discussion going on about foreign issues or the upcoming elections, and lots of encouragement to vote. Most students are rather liberal. I have never heard anyone talk about how much they'll earn in the future.

There is no one race, religion or sexual orientation 'group' that necessarily inundates the campus. Of course, there are many, many white rich kids from both the east and west coasts. I have African-American friends, I have Asian friends, I have Latino friends, I have white I have gay friends, I have straight friends, I have bi friends. None of my friends follow a pattern (other than loving arts) so we can't really be relegated to being called a simple 'group'. Of course, some people identify more with people of the same color and so they gravitate to them. But for most people, it doesn't affect their circles of friendship. Most people tend to be well-off financially. I mean...it's an expensive school. Your parents have to be able to afford it. Very few students would feel out of place. People looking for a huge campus, sororities, frats and non-stop keggers will be disappointed. But there are people who like those things on campus; they're just a minority. People who don't enjoy intellectual discourse and pursuits will have difficulty finding a niche...but anyone can find a place at Oberlin if they want to. We're all geeky and nerdy in our own ways. Most students wear whatever's comfortable to class. Jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, pajamas, skin-tight jeans, leather jackets (ironically), leather jackets (not ironically)...anything really. It's kinda fun to check out what your classmates are wearing every day because you really have no idea what you're going to get. Different types of students interact all the time. They have to. The school's too small not to. But there aren't defined 'types', to be honest. Other than the hippies and hipsters of course. And the hippies are always nice. If they are four tables of students in a dining hall you may get one table of the sci-fi fantasy geeks (term of endearment), the theater geeks (see: endearment), maybe a soccer team table (who sometimes sit with either of the previous tables) and the final table is a complete mismatch. Most people make friends in freshman year and stay close throughout school. It will most likely be one of those groups. Most Oberlin students are from either New York, Boston, Oregon or California. Mostly New York, though. Or, at least, they wish they were from New York (I know I do). Most students are incredibly politically aware. Of course, 90 percent are liberal. There's always a Darfur campaign or a Pro-Choice campaign going on in some form (mostly non-intrusive). Most people are involved in some kind of community service such as the Sexual Information Center, the Rape Crisis Center, the Recycling Co-op...mainly things that directly affect the politics of the campus. Nobody talks about how much they'll earn one day because, with liberal arts degrees under our belts, we're all just hoping to be employed after college.

Many of Oberlin's student body is made up of fairly wealthy people from New York and California. However, some diversity is allowed because of financial aid granted to students from poorer backgrounds. Also, though some of the students may seem spoiled, they do seem to be here for an education and want to make a difference in their lives.

Most people are generally relaxed, but all are concerned or outspoken about something.

Liberal is the main factor. We have many LGBT students, as well as many religious organizations (although they are not extremely popular). There are some jocks. Very few conservatives. International students from many different areas. Nerds of all types. Many musicians. Almost everyone interacts. A lot of people who do drugs, and lots of people who don't, but no one judges anyone.

I think that Oberlin is a little segregated due to program housing (Asia House, African-American Heritage House, German House, Jewish House, etc). I think the program hoses promote segregation which is really an issue. Additionally, it's so unlike Oberlin. We are such a liberal and open-minded institution yet, we have a bit of a segregation problem.

For a small liberal arts school we've got great socio-economic, racial, and ideological diversity. People uncomfortable with unexpected nudity or bizarre social behaviors might feel uncomfortable here. Many here are from the east coast, but we've got a wide aray. We are politically aware, active, and leftist/libertarian/socialist.

I love the Oberlin student body. They are intellectually curious, politically minded, funny, and fascinating. I've had really interesting conversations - both inside and outside of the classroom - since arriving on campus. There are all kinds of students here and you usually interact with all types. My friends are a melange of so many "types" of people. Students here want to live lives of passion and happiness, rather than be desk jockeys. With very few exceptions, the students here are primarily liberal, which I really enjoy. Coming here has opened my mind to so many concepts and political ideas that I had never come in contact with before.

Oberlin has an extremely complex student body with what seems like as many groups as it has students. Those I have encountered fairly closely include the very strong LGBTQ community, which includes some of the most delightful people I have ever met, and the members of OSCA, the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (to which I belong). If you look hard enough, though, you will almost certainly find students at Oberlin who share any given interest with you and who will do so with zeal. It is worth noting that the students at Oberlin lean far to the left politically, and many of the groups on campus espouse some form of activism.

We have everything, but that does not necessarily mean we are thoroughly diverse. There are some social, and racial communities that lack numbers but always have representation at Oberlin. Keep in mind we are a small college.

crazy

There is probably more diversity on campus than is obvious, but most students are from the coasts and are fairly liberal.

The school is predominately white, upper-middle class. A large percentage of the student body seems to come from the east coast, but you will find people from all over the country, and the world! The student body is a lot less radical-liberal than the Oberlin stereotypes suggest...and I believe this is part of a conscious effort by the college to market Oberlin as more "mainstream" and less "out there." Do not be fooled! We welcome freaks, outcastes, anyone who wants to just be themselves! We are not fearless! We are afraid, and we just want you to like us. More hippies please!