Academic Requirements and Testing
Although Oberlin has no specific entrance requirements, candidates for admission generally present a minimum of 15 academic units, including courses in English, foreign language, mathematics, laboratory science, and social science. An academic unit is equivalent to one year of study in a particular subject area.
Candidates should provide evidence of successful completion of diploma requirements at an accredited secondary school or acceptable evidence of the equivalent of a high school education. In a rare instance, we will consider candidates who wish to enter the Conservatory before completing the customary four years of high school—with or without a secondary school diploma.
It is generally true that candidates who show great promise as musicians have also performed at a high level in academic courses in secondary school. On occasion, however, the demands on a talented musician are so great as to affect performance in the classroom. This should not be of great concern to applicants, since musical talent, as demonstrated in an audition, is more important than academic achievement in determining admission to the Conservatory.
Testing Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must submit the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) of the College Board or the admissions tests of the American College Testing (ACT) Program. Canadian citizens are expected to submit SAT I results as well. Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory have one SAT code: 1587 and one ACT code: 3304.
Applicants whose first language is not English should submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To be eligible to enroll in the Artist Diploma program, applicants must receive a TOEFL score of 61 on the internet-based test. To be eligible to enroll in the Bachelor of Music degree program, applicants must receive a TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test or a score of 213 on the computer-based test. Scores must be sent directly to Oberlin by the testing service. Students who receive a lower score may enroll in the Performance Diploma program and transfer to the Bachelor of Music degree program. To be eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Music program, students must successfully fulfill the requirements (minimum TOEFL score & successful completion of LRNS 112) before May 15 of the second year in residence. Performance Diploma students who have not satisfied the requirments listed above by the end of the third semester in residence will be required to meet with the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs and the major advisor to plan the completion of the Performance Diploma program. Performance Diploma students who have successfully completed LRNS 111 (ESL II) are permitted to enroll in selected Conservatory courses (e.g. theory, aural skills, etc.).
Theory Test Requirements
As part of the application and audition evaluation process, the admissions committee considers your music theory knowledge. Once you have submitted the Unified Application for Music and Performing Arts Schools, you will receive an email with a link to take the theory test online. The test will run approximately 60 minutes and you are only allowed to take it once. This test will also serve as a basic placement test for the Department of Music Theory should you be admitted to Oberlin and choose to enroll. Students who achieve a high score will be invited to take additional tests in theory during the summer for possible placement in a more advanced class.
Theory Test Deadlines:
December 1 at midnight - early review applicants
February 15 at midnight - regular review applicants (this includes on campus, regional, and recorded audition applicants)
Homeschooled Requirements
Homeschooled applicants to the Conservatory should submit an academic portfolio, with a detailed syllabus that lists the subjects studied each year, the dates each subject was studied, a description of each course of study, major texts used or literature read, and evidence of science laboratory experiences. In addition, the test scores from either SAT I, or the ACT with writing exam are required.
