<p>If you want to live in a substance-free dorm, or a substance-free hall, are you guaranteed a room in one? If not, how hard is it to get into a substance-free dorm, especially as a Freshman?</p>
<p>EmilyPost - Give Oberlin a call. They are wonderful to deal with. My son has not lived in the substance-free dorm but has had friends who have lived there and enjoyed it. My understanding from him is that you can get in there as a freshman. Good luck!</p>
<p>I live in substance free housing. (otherwise known as Barnard House). </p>
<p>I love it here and have chosen to live here again next year. It is a quiet dorm, which I like, and it has a reputation for being socially reclusive, BUT… I’ve made good friends here and a lot of the same people are going to be back here next year. People are very friendly and it’s not hard to meet people if you just make an attempt to say hi. I strongly recommend it, even for a first year.</p>
<p>They reserve a certain number of places for first years and transfers (there is only one transfer that I know of in the dorm, so most of those spots will be filled by first-years) and you have just as good a chance (probably even better) of getting in here as non first years have. </p>
<p>I believe there are at least 9 first years and 1 transfer, maybe 1 or 2 more, but I’m pretty sure there are 10 spots open for incoming students. Considering there are something like 42 spots, give or take a couple, in the entire dorm, that’s about 1/4 of the dorm that is reserved for incoming students. </p>
<p>In other words. Go for it! You have a good chance. I do know of a couple first years who didn’t get in, however, so it’s not a guarantee, but with so many students going to traditional first-year housing or other program houses, you have a good shot. </p>
<p>There is a separate application for program housing, so make sure you fill it out AND list Barnard on the regular housing form. There is a short answer component to the Barnard application. Just make sure you state clearly your reasons for wanting to live here and express your commitment to living substance free. Hope to see you here next fall!</p>