<p>My DS is very interested in Oberlin (he's just started his junior HS year). We've just finished planning a visit to the campus, right before Thanksgiving. I know the timing is weird, but he is interested in the jazz program at the Conservatory (as well as possibilities in the LA&S College), and the website calendar says that there will be jazz groups performing at the coffee shop the evening of November 23rd, and I thought it would be good if he could hear a performance. It's also a little early in his life to be making a visit, but for various reasons we need to start with Oberlin and this time slot. </p>
<p>My question is, will anybody actually be on campus? Do most Oberlin students go home for Thanksgiving? Are there classes the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (and if there are does anybody go?) The Admissions Office has tours scheduled, so I presume there will be some people around, but it would be nice to have some context for the visit (like if we know there won't be many people around we won't be unpleasantly surprised if it's a ghost town :P ).</p>
<p>There ARE classes the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and most student do go somewhere for Thanksgiving, BUT there are students still on campus. If you’re planning to go early in the week–Mon, Tues., there will definitely be a lot of students on campus. Professors do not routinely excuse students who choose to go home early, so most do attend class from what I hear.</p>
<p>We’re driving out from Chicago Monday night, planning on spending Tuesday day doing a conservatory tour and maybe seeing if he can have a lesson or sit in on a class or two, and then Wednesday doing the “regular” campus tour. Then going to Sandusky for Thanksgiving (yay indoor waterparks!)</p>
<p>My D did her visitation over fall break her junior year and had lessons from three teachers. She sat in on a language diction class as well as a masterclass during our visit. We did the campus tour and the conservatory tour. We did another campus tour on the audition day but never saw a dorm. You might inquire about that. Be sure to see the art museum and wander through some of the other buildings on Campus such as Peters, Wilder Hall and Finney Hall. On our tour the only building we really “toured” was Mudd Library. Suggest the Feve for lunch and as I mentioned on the other post, we like Shurtleff Cottage. Another perk was the teachers provided student contacts so you could have some interaction to find out about how the studio was run, teacher personality, classes, etc. Just ask if they don’t offer.</p>
<p>You’ll definitely be able to get the full visit experience the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. There will be classes and students on campus on Wednesday as well, but if you are planning on visiting classes on Wednesday, I would recommend contacting the professors in advance, as some will cancel their Wednesday classes.</p>