Oberlin College Top Questions

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).

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!

NYC, Philedelphia. Rich white people a lot of times. often pollitically aware, lots of talk, not always much action, pretty inundated with info so often paralyzed and uninvolved. no, people do not boast about making money, unless they are confident about their inability to care about other better things.

Oh what a great bunch of folks

Oberlin is much less diverse than the college likes to advertise itself as. There are a lot of white kids -- a lot of upper class white kids who like to rebel and act like they are poor. Everyone wants to be poor at Oberlin. That sounds like a strange statement, but there is a certain shame of being wealthy here. People don't flaunt money here as much as they do at larger public universities. They don't cruise around in expensive cars or flaunt pricey designer clothing or accessories. There is also often a lot of self-segregation of people from different backgrounds -- ethnic, racial, religious, interests, etc.

So so so so so much of Oberlin is very awkward socially. I feel like we're all on a path here of becoming more socially smooth, but it's definitely a process. Conservatives in Social Science classes would definitely feel out of place, though there is a proud Republic group on campus that may alleviate those woes. So much of Oberlin is from a wealthy financial background, that sometimes it can be very difficult as a working- or middle-class student to find people to relate to. Sometimes it just blows my mind that so many people here have such a disposable income. Often, middle-class students will get bitter about their financial situation, and working-class students feel lucky to be here, but totally marginalized.

There are a ton of groups that deal with oppression and social justice on campus. They bring cool speakers and discuss interesting topics, but a lot of times gender politics overshadow everything else, and sometimes the school is too PC for its own good. Students interact with all different types of students, and on the whole, Oberlin is a pretty laid back place. Students are not overly concerned with their image, or at least those who are convey a pretty non-traditional image (hippie, hipster etc.) Oberlin is definitely a place full of privileged people, but the endowment rocks and there are a lot of students on financial aid. Oberlin is really left-wing. Even liberals sometimes feel like it is too over the top, but that PCness is not impossible to avoid, but it is something you can feel on campus. Oberlin is definitely not a place where people try and brag about their socio-economic status, the opposite in fact.

oberlin is one of the most tolerant places for lbgt people... for freshman orientation, we have assemblies about transgender concerns... oberlin is primarily white, upper middle class, liberal, people mostly hail from Boston, new york, new jersey... there ARE a lot of californians, texans, and people from chicago, too.... MOST students are liberal.... generally conservatives may feel out of place here (BUT the Conservatory is a unique institution, too...) At the same time, there is a lot of campus activism from the various racial communities... A LOT of student groups.... The Multicultural resource center is a great resource for people... they do workshops about lbgt concerns, class concerns, the EL Center for transgendered people and women is a campus resource, too. unfortunately, many "liberals" may not be too tolerant of Christians (because they only think Christians are like the white, right winged men they see on tv); at the same time, there is a group called Ecumenical Christians of Oberlin is a great group; they work with the local ministers... there IS a large Jewish community on campus... and there is a Kosher Halal co'op.... most students here joke about how LITTLE money they make after they graduate... because we are doing what we love

Most of the students range between liberal and radical; there are very, very few Republicans. We have a lot of people from Boston, the DC area, and New York. In my experience there are a lot of LGBT students on campus and they're pretty much universally accepted. I might be getting a skewed picture because I'm part of that community myself.

Great people. Open minded. Probably some of the most open minded people in this country. Come from all backgrounds socially, but it is indeed a mostly white school. People care about politics, care about the enviroment, and really care about learning so they can fix up politics and the enviroment. its cool.

Oberlin is complicated. I would not say that it is necessarily as ideologically homogenous as it seems, but it is definitely true that some people are more vocal than others, leading Oberlin to seem extremely leftist or radical. And I'm sure that in relation to much else of the country that's true, but there's a lot of deviations from the Oberlin 'party line' if there is such a thing. Racially and economically I honestly can't say. The longer I've been here the more I've come to appreciate the very different backgrounds we've all had, and it's become harder to say that we are all exactly what I thought we were. That being said, this is an expensive, traditionally liberal school, and the student body reflects that.

Oberlin's student body is comprised of people who scored well on their SAT's and consider themselves to be quirky and/or awkward and want to be in a place where they feel normal because other people are more quirky than them. I am like this, except there are no people here that are quirkier than me perse. I need to take action, and I only kind of like that. Most Oberlin students are from Maryland, Ohio, and California. I'm not from any of those places. I really dislike the Ohio landscape topographically. Do different types of students interact? No. But there are very few types of students at Oberlin.

People at Oberlin are generally pretty PC, in part because there's a huge lesbian and transgender community, along with a good number of gay guys. Our racial diversity is a work in progress, but I'd say it's mostly because we're in the midwest. We definitely have a number of rich kids, most most people are middle or lower-middle class, and we're very generous with financial aid for those who need it. Someone intolerant would feel out of place here, I suppose. People wear whatever they want to class, but we're not so big on the sweatpants ...you'll see the occasional guy in a skirt. I'd say we're not very cliquish, though LARPers and certain groups of Conservatory students tend to mostly associate with each other. Oberlin students are from everywhere, but a great number of them are from California, New York City, the DC area, and Ohio. We're very politically active and aware, but often in ways you wouldn't expect - Oberlin students came out in droves to fight against a coal plant. Yes, we're lefties, commies, and anarchists - but I'm a moderate with libertarian ideological leanings and I feel perfectly comfortable here.

The most annoying thing about the student body is the large population of people who are actually pretty comfortable financially but adopt this poor persona to seem cool or something. I don't really get it but it can be annoying when people judge you because you went to private school or have a car or whatever. That said, everyone is cool, especially if you call them out for being an ass.

so far left we went past right and back to left again? that may not actually be true. but it's at least partially true. still, we could do with some more tie-dye. THOUGH when it's nice out a lot of people don't wear shoes. and we have an awesome circus.

Social justice is very important here. A thriving LGBT community and lots of talk about race and class. Most people are quite open to everyone, but there are a few normies who get pissed off that kids at Oberlin aren't normal. They're definitely a minority though so its not a big deal. Everything from hipsters to punks to anarchists to moderate democrats to musicians to wierdos resides here. Good, interesting people. Have more to talk about than sports and clothes.

There's sort of a divide between North Campus, where the athletes hang out, and South Campus, where there are more co-ops and program houses. The college is diverse supposedly for what it is, but I was struck by how rich and white it was, particularly the co-op I was in freshman year (Harkness). But there actually is a lot more diversity outside of that and a lot of awareness and discussion of identity issues. People wear all sorts of kooky and not so kooky things. It's entertaining. A lot of students are from New York and Massachusetts (boring) but also a lot from California and Midwest rural states, which you don't get a lot of at many colleges, and that's sweet. I never eat in the dining hall. Co-ops are so great.

Freaky radicals!

Very Liberal! I think most students are middle-upper middle class. People don't talk about their money that much like they do at school in the North East. A lot of the richest kids happen to live in Harkness (one of the hippiest dorms) and look the least put together. You wouldn't know until you see them step into their mercedes or when their parents come to visit.

You would probably feel out of place if you were highly religious and conservative. Its quite diverse.

The average Oberlin student is white, fairly wealthy, and very liberal; LGBT and race issues are always at the forefront of discussion and awareness, which can make the transition to the less politically correct real world a shocker; Oberlin's extreme liberalism can sometimes take the form of secular dogmatism and strong anti-conservative attitudes; Republicans and devout Christians probably feel out of place at times; students come from a wide variety of financial backgrounds, thanks to the incredible amounts of financial aid offered by the College; very politically active student body.

the stereotypical city girl/boy or beach girl/boy who only follow mainstream ideologies, fashion, lifestyles and are not open to varying ideas etc might not enjoy it