Admissions Has Best Year Ever

Oberlin is in Ohio. Though Ohio lacks the breath-stealing vistas of Montana or Washington, newcomers to the College quickly realize that what Oberlin offers is something more distinct. This is evident in the top-notch students who choose Oberlin. Acting President Clayton Koppes said, "I'm thrilled that that many talented students want to come to Oberlin. People are beating down the doors to get into Oberlin."

This year's entering class proved to make up one of the best admissions years in Oberlin College history. Just under 4,200 applications were received, 48 percent of which were accepted. Out of these students, 34 percent agreed to attend.

Two years ago, 63 percent were accepted, with a yield of 28 percent. Reflecting a national trend, the College also saw an increase in the number of early decision acceptances. One-quarter of this year's class was accepted as part of that program.

"Compared to Oberlin's college peers, no other competitor college in the Midwest ‹ Carleton, Grinnell, Kenyon, and Macalester ‹ had an increase in applications, a drop in the percent admitted, an increased yield and higher early decision numbers," said Director of Admission Paul Marthers. The administration feels that Oberlin has been fortunate in attracting bright students in the past few years, and it hopes this trend will continue.

"We have increased diversity in faculty hiring," said Koppes. The College hopes that this will translate into greater diversity in the student body as well. Students of color comprise 20 percent of this year's first-years in the Arts and Sciences division.

"We're looking forwards to more applications, more applicants who really want to be here, and more diversity of all kinds, but especially cultural and ethnic diversity," said Marthers. Forty-four percent of the Class of 2004 is male, up from 41 percent in the Class of 2003.

Oberlin remains consistent in the geographical areas of the students it attracts, continuing to draw many students from New York, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The admissions office hopes this trend will continue.

The Conservatory also drew students in record numbers. With more than 1,100 applicants, it was the second largest pool in the Conservatory's history. Twenty-nine percent were accepted, and 47 percent of those students enrolled, up four percentage points from last year.

The Con also faces extra challenges in terms of admissions. Director of Conservatory Admissions Michael Manderen said, "We look for instrumental and programmatic spread over 27 different instrumental major and program areas, each with its own new student targets."

While an increase in the number of students graduating from high school might lead to increased application numbers, the reasons for the increased yield is harder to pinpoint.

The College simply may be attracting more of the "right" kind of student. "One of our primary goals is to draw students who will thrive at Oberlin and beyond," said Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Debra Chermonte.

Public relations presentations could be improving. First-year Andrée Tzall said, "Of all the interviews I had, I thought that Oberlin presented themselves the best."

But with more students choosing Oberlin, the school is becoming hard pressed to accommodate them all. The Con has long passed the point of pushing limits of the current building and this year saw yet another housing crunch.

"It is good if people really want to be here, but it is not good for quality of life on campus if we have too many students," said Marthers.

"It is getting pretty crowded, and the fact the they don't have the accommodation for all these people takes away our study lounges, and that hurts the community as a whole," said junior Residential Coordinator Amanda Walega.

Chermonte said, "The College is moving toward becoming somewhat smaller than we currently are. Like you, we are concerned about accessibility to classes, meeting the housing needs of our students and the continuation of close working relationships between students and faculty."

The traditional formulas for college admissions are changing. "I look forward to the admissions challenge that it presents," said Manderen. "We may be looking for a new kind of student who can function."