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Oberlin College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Oberlin College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Oberlin College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Oberlin College reviews, or contribute your own Oberlin College review if you're a current student there.

  • 30 out of 31 people found this review useful. 2 people found it offensive.

    Anna from Woodbine, MD

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    All of my professors have been intelligent, articulate, and clearly enthusiastic about what they're teaching; they have all done a wonderful job of sharing their knowledge about the subject they're teaching.
    Am enjoying being here

    I was surprised by how much marijuana and alcohol use I've encountered at Oberlin; there isn't necessarily pressure to use, but there aren't really any available social alternatives on the weekend. Also, people all seem to have fairly similar interests and tastes, which is fine if you're looking for like-minded people, but can be frustrating if you're interested in finding people with a diverse range of interests and ideas.
    Bang for the buck

    Oberlin is a very expensive school, and even though I know I'm getting a great education while you're here, I don't think the school is using my $52,000 a year in a way that maximizes my college experience. The housing is only decent, the food is average to poor, and the amenities are only average. Personally, I feel as though my money is being wasted here.
    Great for these types of students

    If you're an intelligent, extremely liberal person who enjoys going out on the weekends and being surrounded by people who have the same ideologies as you, then you'll most likely love Oberlin.

  • 10 out of 10 people found this review useful.

    Elliot from Somers Point, NJ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The range of what you can learn here is vast. I'm currently kicking it with the true liberal arts experience taking cinema classes, photography, computer programming, Literature courses, and still being able to find incredible opportunities to volunteer. Classes are small, so its easy to develop relationships with your professors and take much more from a class than you might on another campus.
    Am enjoying being here

    The atmosphere on campus is amazing, especially if you are involved in the Co-op system. Living in a Co-op really sets you up with an incredible amount of connections to upperclassmen and people who are experienced with the campus. The campus itself is beautiful, and though Oberlin may seem like a small town in middle-of-nowhere-Ohio, the student body is really politically and socially active, making Oberlin a very exciting place to live.
    Bang for the buck

    The school isn't cheap. If you're in need of financial aid, you'll have plenty of opportunity to find it, it's just a matter of looking. Otherwise, what you experience and learn here is totally worth the somewhat hefty price tag.
    Tips for prospective students

    Stay overnight: you won't get a decent grasp on what the campus is like just hanging out for a few hours on a week day.

    Check out the Co-ops: Some people will tell you to avoid the Co-ops (especially Harkness) but its a great idea to go and see how they work and what they are all about.

    Talk to a lot of people: get as many perspectives on campus life as possible.
    Great for these types of students

    People who are very politically minded, environmentally concerned, interested in community service, musicians (the conservatory is one of the best in the country), neuroscience majors, writers, hippies, and just about everyone who likes to smile at strangers.

  • 5 out of 5 people found this review useful.

    Enimielen from San Antonio, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Oberlin has top professors, who are actually engaging. I have been invited over to my professors' houses for picnics, dinners, documentary watching nights, etc! At first you might think its strange that your teachers genuinely want to get to know you and want you to excel, but its not just because they want to look good. Professors at Oberlin are eager for students to come to their office hours, and if you can't they work around your schedule. There is a variety of classes, there are even experimental classes taught by students (Pokemon, gender and sexuality in Disney films, and knitting are just a few of the hundred or so options). Also if your high school didn't teach you basic study skills, or things you need to know to be a successful college student, Oberlin's Student Academic Services, will get you up to speed, with free tutors, or mini classes on how to read/study in college.
    Am enjoying being here

    There are so many wonderful opportunities, even as a freshman its easy to jump into some major things and make change! As a freshman I became a student senator and I joined a faculty committee that makes changes to the student policy! Also Oberlin paid for me and peers to go to Canada for a summit, and to other conferences that interested me around the midwest area. Oberlin the town is small, but there is a CHEAP movie theatre (like 4 dollars!), lots of great restaurants, and everything is walking distance.
    Bang for the buck

    Oberlin is really expensive, mainly because it has the world renown professors, performers coming in, and opportunities for the students. However if you have financial need, Oberlin will meet it 100% and that is something that they guarantee.
    Tips for prospective students

    Make sure your essay is creative, Oberlin is a very difficult school to get into because they want unique people. Oberlin truly believes that its students can change the world because the students they select are not just in the top percentile in terms of academics but the students are already entrepreneurs, or go-getters in some way. I didn't have top SAT scores and I was in the top 25% of my class, so I had to stand out in other ways. You need to do the same!
    Great for these types of students

    You must be open minded, Oberlin is a very progressive school that does not tolerate ignorance, racism, sexism, and any other negative ism! Also Oberlin students work hard and have fun in different ways--through art, music, sports, etc. So apply to Oberlin if you want to learn for the sake of learning and live for the sake of creating.

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Raven from Milwaukee, WI

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I'm not going to exaggerate and say that every professor on campus is awesome. Just like any other academic institution, there are some gems and some very shiny pieces of glass. However, the best professors aren't just good, they're fantastic! They challenge you to no end. And even if you don't grasp all of the material from the start, you'll definitely develop a good foundation by the end. As for the the handful of lackluster professors, they may not be the best at explaining things, but they are just as willing to find you help or be understanding if you're struggling as the better professors are.

    Outside of class I'm learning a lot as well. Being a member of the co-ops (student run housing and dining), I've become a better cook, learned about consensus based decision making, and have even developed some business skills as an officer and member of the co-op Board of Directors.
    Am enjoying being here

    By the end of my freshman year Oberlin became my home away from home. On top of enjoying fantastic professors, I've really come to love a lot of my peers. The friends I've made are all really fun, supportive, and (of course) intelligent. I can have conversations or go to events that I'd never have the chance to experience at home (despite being from a sizable city). Even the most annoying people on campus are often so well-meaning and articulate that debating with them isn't a total waste of time, but rather a good (albeit frustrating) learning experience.
    Bang for the buck

    If you can't tell from my first two paragraphs, Oberlin is pretty much worth the high cost. Great people, great education, and great atmosphere. Still, I can't give it 5 stars since I agree with many other Obies that the College could be a bit wiser (or at least more transparent) about spending. There are definitely a few things that I'm sure my student loans paid for that I wish they hadn't (because then I probably wouldn't have any student loans out). There's also a lot that I'm sure I'd be sad without, so I think 4 stars is appropriate.
    Tips for prospective students

    1. Check out a co-op. 2. Stay overnight. 3. Do the interview. 4. Try to come with questions. (Don't just say tell me everything.) 5. Have fun! It's okay to actually engage in real conversations or go to events with students/other prospective students.

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Nicky from San Diego, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The professors I have had the pleasure of learning from, working with, and hanging out with have been exceptional. The small size of Oberlin really fosters an awesome rapport between students and faculty. There are large, lecture-hall style courses, as well as very small discussion seminar courses. In both, professors are very easily approachable and always eager to not just help with questions, but talk about their work or anything else that you might think of during office hours!
    Am enjoying being here

    Oberlin is such an amalgamation of different kinds of people that it's honestly nearly impossible for someone not to find the others they vibe with. I know Oberlin is known for having a particularly liberal or hipster image (whatever that means), but that's definitely not the majority of students. There's not a majority, if you ask me. If you think you won't vibe with the character of Oberlin, just find your people, and you totally will. Not only that, but Oberlin is all about meeting people you didn't even know existed or thought you would ever be friends with. It's amazing how nurturing Oberlin's community is for that.
    Bang for the buck

    Everyone complains about how ridiculously overpriced Oberlin is. I would agree with that to a point, but financial aid is somewhat easy to come by. Scholarships abound throughout the school year from different student organizations, and the financial aid office is very open to helping its students with financial difficulty. Also, with less expensive living options like used books, co-ops, and the free store, you can cut down on the price of college a lot.
    Tips for prospective students

    Do the Oberlin interview! The interview told me so much more than the website or pamphlets could have. Also, if and when you choose to prospie (visit the school and stay overnight), be vocal about what you are interested in doing or seeing. Don't just do whatever your host does. Sometimes hosts are lazy, but trust me, there are PLENTY of people at the school who will be super excited to adopt you and show you all Oberlin has to offer.
    Great for these types of students

    Students who have always had a unique streak about them. Want to try completely crazy new things. Want to be surrounded by incredibly open-minded, extraordinary people.

  • 10 out of 18 people found this review useful.

    Lauren from Richmond, VA

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Great for these types of students

    Oberlin is great for people who are hard workers, intelligent, creative, and out-of-the-box thinkers. The music program, which is what I'm attending, is excellent and I feel greatly motivated to practice and feel encouraged by my teachers and peers.

  • 1 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Anthony from Spokane, WA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    oberlin is a wonderful place not only for the quality of education, but the musical level. i am very lucky to attend such an institution and i plan to take advantage of what it has to offer. i am a voice performance major in the conservatory of must at oberlin.
    Tips for prospective students

    do your fafsa asap and community service never hurts, get involved!
    Academic Rigor

    oberlin is currently at 60,000 per year
    Dorm Life

    well
    Food and Dining

    very good vegetarian options for people like me.
    What to do for fun

    sing! dance!
    Bang for the buck

    oberlin has so much to offer and the support is there.
    Great for these types of students

    singers, science

  • 1 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Elyse from Bedford, OH

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Great for these types of students

    Its just amazing there is no other way to put it

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Jessica from West Bloomfield, MI

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Bang for the buck

    Though expensive, this school meets your demonstrated financial need 100%

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Shemlah from Atlanta, GA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    I visited Oberlin on the Multicultural Visit Program, and from what I saw the professors were great!The classes were fun and engaging also. I attended a Japanese class, Biology class, Statistics, and an Arabic class. I had the honor of talking to a Biology professor. I felt comfortable with all their teaching skills and they made me feel included in the classes.
    Great for these types of students

    If you love the free-spirited liberal lifestyle, enjoy random things such as Albino squirrels, riding bikes, and you love music then this school is for you. They have 3 great dining halls. i loved the pizza and fries yummy. Oberlin caters to vegans and vegetarians also. The Sco and the library are pretty awesome hang out spots. Hopefully I will be at Oberlin Class of 2015!

  • 0 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Tessa from Brockport, NY

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Great for these types of students

    Liberal, self-motivated, passionate

  • 0 out of 3 people found this review useful.

    Cassandra from New Franken, WI

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Judsen from Castleton On Hudson, NY

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    After visiting this college as a musician I was more than amazed. WOW! What a great school this seems to be and I am extremely interested already, if you are a musician this school is spectacular.
    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely don't think anything less than greatness when you think of this small town in Ohio because it is much more.
    Academic Rigor

    They are serious here, and that should be expected when applying.
    Dorm Life

    Seems clean and nice.
    Food and Dining

    Fairly nice area around to eat stuff.
    What to do for fun

    Walk around, enjoy the nature! Much more besides this though.
    Bang for the buck

    Very much worth the tuition from what I've seen.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Nothing too unusual from what I saw besides the Oberlin Phoenix!!
    Great for these types of students

    Musicians! Definitely musicians, as a musician I was very pleased at this aspect of Oberlin.
    Clubs and Activities

    Music life is great, very interactive campus and student body.
    Greek Life

    Doesn't exist.. which is a major turn off for me from this school .
    Campus Safety

    Never felt threatened or in any sort of danger.

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