Hey everybody I was accepted into the class of 2023 and Oberlin is one of my top choices but I had some questions about housing.
Are there a lot of first years who live in “traditional” dorms, or do most freshman participate in the first year resident experience?
Are divided doubles/singles an option for freshman or am I for sure getting a roommate?
Are the dorms tight communities?
Any insight is greatly appreciated 
Congrats on Oberlin! My D is a second year and has loved her time there. Last year she lived in Barrows, which was a first year dorm. She had an amazing experience and met so many friends there. I think living with other first years is a really good thing and helps you get to know classmates quickly. She had friends in co-ops and traditional dorms too and they were also happy though, so I think you should decide based on what you want. Theme halls (like sci-fi or classics) are popular for first years and can help you meet others with shared interests.
Going into this year she was planning to live in a divided double in North but they did a lot of updating and renovation over the summer and turned most of the divided doubles into singles - so she has a single. She has loved being in a single and North is beautiful now with all the changes.
Next year she’s living in a double again because she got into a theme house that she really wanted and has a nice and large room.
I would read the options and decide what you think is best, even if you may get placed elsewhere. If you don’t know for sure, I would choose a First Year Experience because you can’t go wrong there.