<p>I absolutely love the idea of Oberlin. I like the "hippie school" reputation and I've also heard there's a huge Indie-rock scene and that it's the school for the "I wasn't cool in high school" crowd -- and this is very much me. I'm pretty left myself, and I think I would fit in well at Oberlin. However, every time I mention applying to Oberlin, people always always respond with something along the lines of "but you're straight." I've heard everything from "you'll never find a husband at Oberlin, all of the guys are gay" to "you'll be discriminated against just because you're straight." I have no problem with homosexuality, but everyone -- and I'm talking even the most liberal people I know -- always mention this as a potential problem. I find this hard to believe, but the fact that I keep hearing it from tons of different people is starting to worry me. Any comments?</p>
<p>Don't worry about it. Oberlin gets that reputation not because everyone here is gay (far from it), but because it's a very open and supportive environment. Whereas in some communities, it would be looked down upon, or even make one shunned to come out of the closet, here people are just accepting of things relating to sexuality. And of course, having that reputation, we may be something of a haven for gays, but that does not mean everyone here is.</p>
<p>Trust me- I had similar thoughts coming in, but it's just a very accepting place for everyone.</p>
<p>^ What he said.</p>
<p>I'm straight. The majority of my friends are straight / bisexual. I have plenty of gay / lesbian friends, too, but there are definitely way more straight people here. We do have a larger LGBTQ population than most other schools, but this is just because we're a very accepting place. It is more than possible for straight people to find relationships here. Don't worry about it!</p>
<p>Do you plan to visit sometime soon? This might help!</p>
<p>On a funny note though, when I first visited Oberlin for my overnight stay, it was the night before Drag Ball. So I got a very different perception than you would on a normal visit.</p>
<p>I'm a straight male who wants to go to Oberlin... the school attracts me because it is a very open environment. Open to all sexual orientations, to different ideas, to almost everything... this is the opposite at the college I'm currently at, which is supposedly a pretty "liberal" college. So Oberlin is definitely a special place, and I wouldn't worry about that if I were you.</p>
<p>I too get this reaction a lot, but I like the idea of a very open college. That's what attracted me to Oberlin in the first place. :].</p>
<p>As a bi female, it's nice for that to be a non-issue at Oberlin. Gay people are tolerated. It's uncool to be intolerant. Really really uncool. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Oberlin is mostly straight. You'll be able to find a boyfriend. I did. :D</p>