From its founding in 1833, Oberlin College has been a school with a mission, or rather, many missions. Beginning with abolition and coeducation, and most recently addressing the challenges of climate change, Oberlin has always been—to quote historian Geoffrey Blodgett ’53—a “peculiar mix of scholarly ambition and stubborn moral idealism.”

Oberlin uniquely combines an outstanding professional school of music with a leading undergraduate college of arts and sciences. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music provides flexible programs to prepare students as professional musicians and teachers of music. Deeply committed to academic excellence, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a rich and balanced curriculum in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. Within that framework the college expects that students will work closely with the faculty to design an educational program appropriate to their own particular interests, needs, and long-term goals.

The created the Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation (STRONG) program to help underserved populations get their chance to change the world. Oberlin first-year students come to campus in the summer to participate in innovative research with Oberlin professors and meet other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students. STRONG supports talented STEM students who are women, Pell-eligible, students of color, and or first-generation college students. With limited spots, this program is not only free, but also paid