<p>I think Oberlin College would be a really good fit for me. I really want to go to a school with a good study abroad program, socially-conscientious and community-minded students and faculty, and a large Jewish student population. It's also larger for a LAC, which I like, and it has a high academic reputation but is not out of reach for me.
However, I have not played an instrument since 7th grade (I am a high school junior), and while I enjoy music, I am not talented on the musical stage. Would this lower my chances of getting accepted, and even if I were accepted, would I git in with the students there?</p>
<p>Oberlin has two separate colleges: the Conservatory and the School of Arts of Sciences. My daughter is in the Arts and Sciences college and is not involved in nor did she have to have any musical talent.</p>
<p>She loves Oberlin. She lives on Sci Fi hall.</p>
<p>You don’t need to be musical to go to the college, and there is plenty of non-musical stuff to do. However, if you do enjoy music, the music scene there is absolutely amazing. You will never lack for something world class to listen to.</p>
<p>My concern is that even if I attend the College of Art and Science, I will be uncomfortable because I do not share a common interest in music. How involved is your typical Arts and Sciences student at Oberlin in music?</p>
<p>One good way to see what Obies are interested in is to look at the ExCo offerings.</p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> ExCo](<a href=“http://oberlinexco.org/excos/all]Oberlin”>Oberlin ExCo)</p>
<p>Honestly only one-third of students are in the Conservatory. I really think you are over-thinking this.</p>
<p>Your concern is likely based on a false assumption.</p>
<p>To clarify: about 600 students study in Oberlin Conservatory of Music (about 1/3 of whom are double-degree in both schools) and about 2300 students study in the College of arts and science. The College of Arts and Sciences is a liberal arts college that doesn’t have its own music department. All musical study happens within the Conservatory of Music, and while many Oberlin College students have access to some of the resources and instruction that occurs in the Conservatory, the College is a separate institution. The only major available to College Students in the Conservatory is “Musical Studies” and fewer than 20 students each year tend to pursue this major.
Music is certainly a large part of the culture at Oberlin, with 500 performances per year and a general appreciation for music that is shared throughout. If you don’t play an instrument or have any real interest in music at all, it really isn’t a problem. You’ll find many other communities at Oberlin- whether it is within science, theater, athletics, dance, visual arts, cinema, activism, you name it…</p>