Preparation

When reviewing a student’s academic record, College of Arts and Sciences Admissions is assessing whether students are prepared for the rigorous education offered at Oberlin.

The best-prepared candidates usually take classes in the five core areas listed below in each of their high school years, and at a minimum present the following:

• four years of English
• three years of one foreign language
• four years of mathematics (through pre-calculus or higher)
• three years of lab sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics)
• three years of social studies

Students from secondary schools that do not offer these courses should not feel discouraged from applying to Oberlin, especially if they have strong records of achievement within their schools and are looking for an academic challenge at the college level. We evaluate students within their educational context, which means that we are aware of what courses are and are not available at your school. Oberlin seeks students who exhibit traits of leadership and involvement in their schools and communities, but the focus is on quality, not quantity. Individual attention is given to each application.

Oberlin’s offer of admission is contingent upon a student maintaining the level of academic rigor and performance demonstrated in the application as well as the high level of personal conduct that were the basis of our decision to offer admission. Admitted students must contact the Office of Admissions within two weeks if placed on probation, suspended, dismissed from school, or if criminal charges are brought against them. Failure to do so may lead to the revocation of an offer of admission.