I originally looked at Oberlin Conservatory. I have trained to be a professional oboist for all of high school, attending Manhattan School of Music Precollege. Although I love music, I am leaning away from majoring in it, I also know I can’t handle a double degree. I’m from a small town in New Jersey, pretty liberal. I am also transgender (female to male). I am looking for a school that’s liberal and accepting, but I’m also worried about diversity of opinion. Would I like Oberlin?
GPA: UW- 3.6
W- 4.4
APs (by the end of highschool): US History (two years at my school), AP Spanish Lang, AP Spanish Lit , AP Stats, AP Music Theory.
Other than that, I have all honors or advanced honors classes
SAT (new): Math- 650
English- 750
I’m planning to re-take
Other ECs (in school): Literary Magazine, LGBT Alliance, Horticulture Club, Environmental Club, Improv Club (only the first two years of HS).
I also volunteer at a soup kitchen, work as a pizza delivery guy and at a preschool day camp during the summer.
I think you would like it, but students not in the conservatory don’t get a lot of opportunities to perform. I think your scores and GPA might be a touch on the low side, too. Have you looked at Bard?
As I understand it there is a college student orchestra. Hopefully I can get those SATs up (math is a weakness) .And yes! I’ll hopefully be visiting Bard over the summer.
Yes, Oberlin would be a great fit for you. You will find it a very accepting environment. The majority of musical programs and activities accept both conservatory students and non-conservatory students and there are plenty of opportunities to perform if you want to. Many, many non-conservatory students are extremely talented musically (as are ALL of the conservatory students) which does mean that even though there are many open spots competition for spots is fierce.
Your GPA is a touch low but Oberlin certainly does accept people with that GPA, especially if your high school is known for its rigor (in other words, if the 3.6 GPA is in the top 25% of your class you stand a better chance than if your high school, like most, has heavy grade inflation and a 3.6 GPA is in the bottom third of the class).
My S just finished freshman year. good fit, you’ll find an accepting community, however not a lot of diversity of opinion.
my oldest was admitted with merit, a similar gpa, but 2200 sat. my middle kid had a 3.2, 2140 and was admitted ED. If it’s your top choice, consider ED, which will help your chances.
Thank you! I will definitely consider ED if it becomes my top choice. My SAT is equivalent to about a 2000 on the old scale, so that’s below the average, but I’ve only taken it once and definitely will study harder this time. Thanks again!