Campus Visits

Thank you for your interest in visiting Oberlin. We would be pleased to have you on campus for a visit! Below are some suggestions to help make your visit as comprehensive and thorough as possible.

Conservatory Information Session & Tour

Oberlin Conservatory holds information sessions and tours Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The session will allow you to learn more about admissions procedures, various programs offered at Oberlin, and to have a tour of the Conservatory. The information session and tour are available by appointment.  While we do offer information sessions and tours throughout the year, it is always best to visit during the semester so you are sure to be able to catch a concert, meet with a professor you may be studying with in the future, and observe a class that interests you.

Once you have chosen a date, contact us via telephone (440.775.8413) or e-mail (conservatory.admissions@oberlin.edu), to schedule your appointment. When calling or emailing, please be sure to include the date and time you'd like to visit along with your name, instrument, and intended major.  If possible, contact us a minimum of one week in advance of your visit to schedule an information session and tour.

Dates and Events

There are approximately 500 concerts on campus each year, including performances by the more than 25 student ensembles, and performances and master classes by guest artists. Faculty members perform on campus and throughout the world. Oberlin's Artist Recital Series includes on-campus performances by premier national orchestras and internationally acclaimed soloists. Check for a list of concerts, recitals, and campus events. This will help give you an idea of when you would like to visit campus and it will help you plan some of your activities when you arrive.

Lessons and Meetings with Professors

We encourage you to contact a professor or faculty member in your field of interest. You can find biographies and contact information on the Conservatory faculty and departments web site. To schedule a lesson or a meeting with a professor, it is recommended that you e-mail them directly. Please note: During breaks, regular classes are not in session and many professors may be off campus.

Class Visits (including ensemble rehearsals & studio classes)                                          

Fall 2009 Conservatory Class Schedule

The faculty, students, and administrative staff of the Oberlin Conservatory welcome and encourage you to sit in on classes and rehearsals. At the beginning of each semester, a class schedule will be posted on the Conservatory Admissions web site.  The class schedule will also be available in the Office of Conservatory Admissions. Reviewing the ensemble rehearsals, studio classes, and general classes on the schedule before you visit will help you determine when you would like to visit.  Prospective students have found classroom visits are valuable because they provide a real feeling for the intellectual and musical life of the school.

It is important to realize that while classroom visits can be stimulating and valuable experiences, no single class is representative of the campus academic atmosphere. We suggest, therefore, if time allows, that you visit several classes in order to discover the range of teaching styles and class formats that exist here. When visiting a classroom, we ask that you keep in mind the following:

A) Plan to arrive before the class is scheduled to begin. This will allow you time to meet and discuss the class briefly with students in the class. In fairness to the professor and students, please do not enter the classroom once the class has begun. (In most cases, students are welcome to enter and exit a rehearsal in progress.)

B) Stay for the duration of the class. Classes generally last for 50 minutes, although some are longer (60-75 minutes.) Please check with the Office of Conservatory Admissions if you have questions.

C) Introduce yourself to the professor before class and pose any questions you have regarding the course, the department, etc.

2009-2010 Break Schedule 

Summer Break                                May 8 to August 31, 2009
Fall Break                                       October 17 to 25, 2009
Thanksgiving                                  November 26 to 29, 2009
Winter Break                                   December 18, 2009, to January 5, 2010
Winter Term                                    January 6 to February 1, 2010
Midterms and Spring Break              March 21 to April 4, 2010
Summer Break                                May 23 to September 1, 2010

Overnights

Overnight visits begin September 11, 2009.

Current students are available to host prospective students who want to spend a night in a residence hall, sample food in dining halls, and meet other students at gathering places such as a concert on campus, the Cat in the Cream coffee house, or the Dionysus Club (the 'Sco) located in the Student Union.

Important: Students interested in an overnight visit during an audition weekend must give the Campus Visit Office two weeks notice prior to arriving on campus for your audition.  Staying with a dorm host does give you an opportunity to meet Oberlin students and experience student life at Oberlin; however, many students find they are able to rest more comfortably if they make alternative arrangements the evening before their audition.  Learn more about Overnights, sponsored in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences.

Oberlin College Campus Tour & Information Session

Visitors have the opportunity to take a campus tour with a current student. Reservations are not required. Tours last about an hour and are available during the academic year at the following times: Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., noon, and 2:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. and noon (September to May only).

The tour schedule may be limited when classes are not in session or during holiday periods. In these cases, please call 800-622-6243 to confirm tour availability. Refer to the Oberlin College academic calendar for exact dates.

The College of Arts and Sciences admissions office also offers a general information session led by an admissions counselor that provides an overview of the Oberlin community and the College of Arts and Sciences application process. This session may be of special interest to Double Degree candidates.  Reservations are not required. All visitors are invited to attend an information session, which are held at the following times:

• Monday to Friday at 1:30 p.m.
• Saturday at 11:15 a.m. (September to May only)

Directions and Accommodations (including transportation to and from the airport)

The Office of Conservatory Admissions is in the Conservatory of Music Annex on the second floor of 39 West College St. The annex, which houses the College Bookstore on the first level and various administrative offices on the second floor, is adjacent to the Conservatory of Music.

A map of the campus can be found on the visitor information web site. Also, to find directions on how to get to Oberlin College by car, plane, train, or bus, and to look for lodging and dining in and around Oberlin, refer to the transportation information web site.