If you are planning to vote in Ohio, note that you CANNOT use an out of state drivers license as your ID to allow you to vote. This was a recent change in the law (2023), so this will be the first major election it applies to.

You also WILL NOT be able to use the Ohio Digital ID, you must have a physical ID.

The list of acceptable documents is here (listed below):

https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/

If you do not have one of these documents, there are some solutions (from best to worst):

(1) You can still vote absentee! This is probably the easiest way to still vote, but you will need to request your absentee ballot soon. The deadline is 29 October, but it is recommended to request the application by 22 October, to make sure you receive your documents and are able to get them returned by the election date.

(2) You can go to the BMV and apply for an identification card (you will need to bring the appropriate documentation to get this card from the BMV). Identification cards (without driver's licenses) are free, and the temporary card that you obtain is a legal form of ID.

(3) In a worst case scenario, where it is election day and you haven't done (1) or (2). You should still go and vote with a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to be counted, you will have to bring an appropriate form of ID to the election office within 4 days after the election.

If you have any friend's from out of state who are planning to vote in Ohio, please share this info with them as well!

• Ohio driver's license;

• State of Ohio ID card;

• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV;

• A US passport;

• A US passport card;

• US military ID card;

• Ohio National Guard ID card; or

• US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

All photo IDs must have the following:

• An expiration date that has not passed;

• A photograph of the voter;

• The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book

• **NOTICE**: An unexpired Ohio Driver License, State ID Card, or Interim Documentation with your **former address IS an ACCEPTABLE** form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook.

Hi! I was wondering how I (an oberlin student) should go about finding babysitting jobs in the area? Thank you!

Hihi! Prospective student tossing up ED in November. I'm a big city kid, I live in metro Atlanta and have always felt more at home in huge bustling urban centers.

From what I've seen of Oberlin from doing research and speaking with admissions reps and professors, it really seems like just the most wonderful place - delightfully strange and warm and free. My biggest concern is just... the middle of nowhere, Ohio location. How much is there to do? Am I missing out on opportunities I might get in a bigger city? Does it make certain things like shipping or internships or work inconvenient?

I wanted to ask a few students: what's your genuine opinion on the three questions above, and how does the town and location of Oberlin genuinely feel to be in? Thanks ❤️.

I'm a prospective student applying this November and when I first discovered Oberlin I was really excited about their creative writing program. However, I recently learned you can't just declare this major, you have to apply for it.

What is the application process like? Is it competitive, and how common are rejections from the program? If I were admitted it'd be pretty disappointing to not be able to study my intended major

Curious how OC grads and prospective Obies feel about the continued deterioration of Oberlin's ranking in the US News and World Report liberal arts college list. I know there have been several methodology changes with the rankings, including more weighting given to graduate giving and graduate salaries, but the deterioration is striking over a 20-year period. I believe 211 liberal arts colleges were ranked this year so Oberlin's ranking of 55 puts it out of the top quartile. It's easy to discount rankings in general and attribute this deterioration to metrics that are punitive, in particular, to Oberlin, but the fact of the matter is these rankings get a lot of press and are used by prospective student families as a data point. Thoughts?

2025: 55 2024: 51 2023: 39 2022: 37 2021: 36 2020: 33 2019: 30 2018: 26 2017: 24 2016: 23 2015: 23 2014: 25 2013: 26 2012: 25 2011: 23 2010: 22 2009: 20 2008: 20 2007: 22 2006: 23 2005: 23

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has gone to psychiatric services to get diagnosed with anything. If so, how did it go and how easy/approachable was the process? Do they also provide next steps if you do get diagnosed (medication, treatment, etc)?

Thanks in advance 🙏

My friend that likes gaslighting told me that i get 5 swipes a day with the gold meal plan and if I don’t use 5 a day the rest for the day just go bust. I thought it was like you can use 3 today and 7 tomorrow?? Please let me know if he’s gaslighting me thanks

I’m looking to get into guitar, but I don’t have one and I’m not taking secondary lessons so I can’t do instrument rental. Are there any local shops / groups where I could potentially find a used one for a good price?

I just found out that I got into the oberlin fly-in!! I wanted to know if there was an instagram gc with other people who got in

I'm an incoming transfer student to Oberlin, and at my last school, we were allowed to have both a mini-fridge and a microwave in our dorm. I got a single for this year, and was planning on bringing both with me. But I found out today that microwaves aren't allowed in the dorms and they want you using the communal ones. Has anyone just snuck a microwave into their dorm anyways? Is it worth risking it?

Hello, I'm an obie transfer, in my sophmore year of college but my first year at oberlin. I have a lot of mental health issues that mean it will be difficult to do classes when living in a double dorm, but I can't fill out any accommodation forms yet. I decided to jump on the waitlist just in case, while living in a doulbe dorm in the meantime. I know it's incredibly unlikely that one will free up, but I would still love some advice: which dorm building is the most likely to have free singles, or quads with individual rooms? I don't really mind if its a bad building, I just really need my own space. Very much a long shot, but I'd like to hear what y'all think, so I can fill out my waitlist request accordingly.

I am assigned with helping my incoming first-year daughter figure out the best way to hang a few pieces of framed art in her dorm room in Dascomb when she moves in next week.

Command Strips were assumed to be the first choice, but reviews for hanging frames with glass using those are mixed, with plenty of stories of the adhesive failing.

I was looking at the Oberlin housing policies, and noticed that they do not explicitly ban nails in the walls:

Oberlin College strongly recommends using finishing nails or tacks where possible to hang room decorations, as they tend to damage the walls less than most adhesives. In addition, we recommend theuse of “sticky tack”, a rubbery substance that is usually blue or white in color. Please be aware if using other adhesives even those claiming to be safe for walls that they may remove paint in some spaces if not removed according to the instructions. Students are responsible for the costs associated with damage to the walls of their rooms due to hanging decorations. Some college housing assignments have bulletin boards or corkboard strips, while others have molding strips on which molding hooks may be used. Duct and packing tape, screws, etc. may not be used on walls, doors, woodwork, or furnishings due to the damage that may occur to walls or finishes.

Any feedback from current or recent dorm residents as to whether "finishing nails" could be reasonably stretched to include picture hangers with relatively small nails?

Also curious if anyone knows whether rooms in Dascomb might have the molding strips that would accommodate molding hooks?

Thanks!

Do people have any thoughts on the board voting against the divestment proposal and the statement the board put out? Not trying to start discourse, just wondering if the decision was expected by students or a surprise. I'm an incoming 1st year and curious how the school has handled Israel/Palestine and student voice conflicts in the past.

Hello! I am looking into Oberlin and saw that they offer an overnight experience. I am a bit nervous about doing it as it seems like a much higher level of commitment than just doing a tour. Does anyone have experience doing the overnight experience or leading it? What was it like? Would you recommend it?

Edit: Thanks everyone for the insight!! I'm definitely going to sign up for the overnight experience!! I'll try to remember to update this post once I go on the tour to let you all know how it went! :)

Hi, I'm an incoming first year and I recently found out that my dorm is going to be in the Fairchild hall. I'd like to know what pros/cons come with living there if anyone has any insight. Thanks! :]

Just asking, what do we do once we move in? Do we have to check in anywhere or do we just go to our dorm? Thanks in advance

Hi, I’m an incoming student at Oberlin staying at Kahn Hall. Its sounds like a silly question but how did you bring you blankets, pillows, pillow cases, sheets to your dorm? My luggage is already overflown with winter clothes.

Do you place your online order right when you arrive on campus or you go to local store to buy? If so is there any recommendations shops?

Also, is there any additional things you should bring to your dorm?

Anyone know what the chances might be to get off a Psych 100 course waitlist?

Hi! I’m an incoming first year in the college and I was wondering about opportunities for ensembles. I specifically would love to audition for orchestras and chamber groups and I was wondering if anyone has any info or tips about where to find that- is the college orchestra good? Is it possible to audition for chamber or things like that in the con even if I’m not a dual degree/con student? Thanks!

Hi, I’m an incoming student into oberlin and I’ll be in the Barnard dorm. I read on the website that there is a kitchen, but I’ve never seen any pictures of it and I can’t seem to locate it on the floor plan. Any previous student in Barnard who ave seen/used the kitchen know what’s included there appliance wise and possibly have any pictures? Thanks in advance, I tried asking the parent Facebook but they never accepted my parent’s post

I'm an incoming class of 2028 classical Bass major trying to get into one of the jazz ensembles. Ya'll got any tips for the workload and the social scene here.

Any anecdotes welcome—whether they’re silly or quirky!

Hello! I am a new student at Oberlin, who lives in nyc and does not have a car. I don't enjoy taking planes, and they're rather expensive. I was wondering if anyone knows of a bus or train that goes from Oberlin to NYC during holidays. I tried to look it up and it looks like there IS one but I'm confused on how it works. I would appreciate any help with this!

I got a quad room in Lord. Anyone with pictures and a floor plan?

Any pictures or floor plans for East Hall? looking for layout of singles (3rd floor). Thanks!

Hello, I’m an incoming freshman and I’ll be living in Barnard on the first floor in a divided double. I really wanted to get a good idea of how the rooms looked so I had a parent join the Parents Facebook group for oberlin in hope of some decent pictures, but the pictures are so awful 😭 Any previous residents have pictures of the layout of their divided double (with the room number if that’s possible) it would be a big help 🙏🙏 thanks