<p>I am only a junior in HS but I am already in love with Oberlin. I was just wondering, what do they look at most in applications? I've read/heard various things and I want to get it right. Is class rank really as important as it is made out to be? And what role does an interview play?
Thanks in advance, my questions are unlimited I just wanted to get this off my chest.</p>
<p>Take a look at the common data set, in which Oberlin officially says what it considers important in evaluating applicants, shows the range of SAT's and grades of accepted students, etc. As to your particular concerns, class rank is "very important," interview is "considered."
[url=<a href="http://oberlin.edu/instres/irhome/www/cds/cds_explain.html%5DUntitled%5B/url">http://oberlin.edu/instres/irhome/www/cds/cds_explain.html]Untitled[/url</a>]
What it doesn't convey, perhaps, is that in addition to academic readiness and achievement, you can figure that Oberlin is looking for students who want to go to Oberlin and know why they do.</p>
<p>here's an answer to the question of what the admissions officers look for -- from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Leslie Braat's entry on the obieblog site:
Oberlin</a> Blogs | Blog Entry: "Choosing our future Obies"</p>
<p>(from an Oberlin student) some ways to make sure you get admitted:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Make sure to have an average SAT score (between Math, Verbal, and Writing) in the 700's</p></li>
<li><p>Take as many AP, IB, and honors classes as you can, or something resembling the hardest schedule your high school offers. If you go to an elite private school in New York, being in the middle of your class isn't so bad. If you go to a public school in nowhere, WV, then you'd better be #1.</p></li>
<li><p>Get involved! and be interesting and academically enthusiastic (especially on your essay...people at Oberlin write completely crazy admissions essays, though it's not required). People at Oberlin are REALLY into their academics. Visit and see how you feel: are these people your intellectual peers?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Seconding belleinhell:</p>
<p>Be involved. And be involved in more than school. If you volunteer, work outside of school... do it. Be yourself. Don't stop doing what you want for an extra percentage point on your GPA.</p>
<p>Do I need to write an academic essay on application? (though I've already submitted )</p>