General Questions

What testing information is required from me?

Oberlin College has moved to a test-optional model starting with the 2020-2021 admissions cycle and continuing as a pilot program through the 2022-2023 application year. SAT and ACT score submissions will still be accepted, but will no longer be required. If desired, you may submit results from SAT II subject exams. For students who would like to submit test scores, Oberlin can use self-reported SAT and ACT scores to evaluate an application for admission. Oberlin will accept official score reports from the testing agency, or scores listed on official high school transcripts. See the Application Requirements page for further details.

What high school transcript information is required from me?

Oberlin requires official high school transcripts for each student. Transcripts uploaded to QuestBridge by a high school counselor and forwarded to Oberlin by QuestBridge are accepted as official. Otherwise, your high school counselor must send transcripts directly to the Admissions Office. See the Application Requirements page for further details.

What financial aid materials are required from me?

Students must submit the CSS Profile and federal tax returns to Oberlin. For applicants applying to Oberlin outside of the Match, the FAFSA must also be submitted. See the Application Requirements page for further details.

How and where do I submit financial aid documents?

Financial materials should be submitted to Oberlin’s Office of Financial Aid. Depending on the material, email, mail, or fax may be required. Contact information for that office is below:

Oberlin College
Office of Financial Aid
52 West Lorain Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Fax: (440) 775-8249
Email: [email protected]

Upload files here.

Do you provide fee waivers for the CSS Profile?

The College Board automatically provides students with fee waivers for up to six schools based on financial information submitted on the CSS Profile. Beyond those six waivers, Oberlin is unable to provide additional fee waivers or assistance.

Can I apply to Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music through QuestBridge?

No. Oberlin has separate applications, admissions offices, and application requirements for its two divisions: the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. Oberlin’s QuestBridge partnership is for and through its College of Arts and Sciences (College). Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music (Conservatory) is not a QuestBridge partner, and students wishing to only pursue a bachelor’s degree in music should not apply using the QuestBridge application as it is not an application for the Conservatory.

Students interested in applying to the Conservatory of Music must submit a new Common Application for the Conservatory and meet its application requirements. QuestBridge applications are not accepted by or shared with the Conservatory’s Office of Admissions.

Can I apply to the College of Arts and Science through QuestBridge and also submit a separate Conservatory of Music Application?

Students matched to Oberlin through QuestBridge may also apply to the Conservatory as a regular decision applicant and take part in Oberlin’s Double Degree program. The student will still be expected to enroll in the College regardless of the outcome of their Conservatory application.

Non-matched Finalists may apply to the College using their QuestBridge application, and as mentioned above, submit a separate Common Application for the Conservatory of Music to be considered for both divisions.

Students only interested in majoring within the Conservatory of Music must submit an application to the Conservatory using the Common Application.

Questions about the Match 

Will Oberlin consider International students for the Match?

No. Oberlin’s Match Scholarship is available only to US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and undocumented students (students who live in the US but do not have a current visa).

Will Oberlin consider undocumented students for the Match?

Oberlin will consider undocumented students (students who live in the US but do not have a current visa) for the Match.

Is Oberlin’s Match decision binding?

Yes, students matched with Oberlin through the Match are expected to enroll at Oberlin and withdraw applications to other schools. 

For Non-Matched Finalists

Does Oberlin require a supplement to forward the QuestBridge Application? 

Yes, the Oberlin Questbridge Supplement is available through the Oberlin College Application portal after you have forwarded your QuestBridge application

How can I apply to Oberlin?

Non-matched QuestBridge Finalists may choose to apply to Oberlin as a regular decision applicant using their QuestBridge application. In December, QuestBridge will provide the student with information on that process, which will involve the student selecting to forward their QuestBridge application to Oberlin.

Students may choose to apply to Oberlin as a regular decision applicant by submitting the Common application or Coalition application instead of their QuestBridge application. They should only submit one of these applications; Oberlin does not require multiple applications and no preference is given to any application type.

Students interested in applying to Oberlin as an Early Decision II applicant (deadline January 1) should email the Admissions office stating that intention and Oberlin will process accordingly.

How do I know if you’ve received my materials?

After we receive your application from QuestBridge we will send an email to the address listed within your application letting you know it was received, and providing you access to an online application portal where you can view received materials, any missing requirements, and learn other pertinent information.

What financial aid is available for me?

Oberlin guarantees to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for every admitted student. Grants and scholarships - money a student does not have to pay back - typically make up 75-85% of the financial aid package. Because of this, admitted students with significant financial need often receive very generous aid packages. Visit the Financial Aid section of our website to learn more.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Oberlin requires the FAFSA as well as the CSS Profile for all students wanting to apply for need-based financial aid. Visit the Financial Aid for Prospective Students page for details on all of the financial aid requirements.

Does Oberlin have an application fee?

Oberlin does not have an application fee. All students can apply to Oberlin for free.