Double Degree Program
Double Degree students at Oberlin get the best of both worlds: the opportunity to pursue their musical passions in our world-class music conservatory while expanding their horizons in a top-ranked liberal arts college.

Applying to the Double Degree Program
Once you're through the door, Oberlin is one student body on a single campus. College and Conservatory students share residence halls, dining facilities, clubs and organizations, and often the classroom. However, in terms of the application process, it's helpful to think of the College and the Conservatory as two different schools with separate applications, timelines, and review processes.
Application
You need to apply to both the College of Arts & Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. Each application will be evaluated separately.
View the application requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences
View the application requirements for the Conservatory of Music
There are several application rounds for you to choose from. The College of Arts & Sciences and the Conservatory of Music both offer Early Decision and Regular Decision. In addition, you can apply to the College only via Early Action.
Early Decision is a way for students to show us that Oberlin is their first choice. An Early Decision application is binding: applicants who are admitted to either the College or Conservatory via Early Decision are expected to enroll, regardless of the outcome of their application to the other division. If you intend to apply to the Double Degree program, please consider the following if you are thinking about Early Decision:
Do not apply Early Decision. An Early Decision application represents a binding commitment to enroll if admitted. As applications to the Conservatory of Music and College of Arts & Sciences are evaluated separately, you may only receive an offer of admission to one division. Apply under the Regular Decision or Early Action (College only) decision plan if you’re unwilling to commit to enrolling in only one division.
Example: Oberlin is Liam’s top choice if he’s admitted to the Double Degree program, but if he’s only admitted to one division, he will want to consider all his college options. Liam should apply Regular Decision to both divisions.
Apply Early Decision to your preferred division and Regular Decision or Early Action (College only) to the other.
Example 1: Megan wants to become a professional musician. She likes the idea of the Double Degree program, but definitely wants to enroll in the Conservatory no matter what. She can apply Early Decision to the Conservatory of Music and Early Action to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Example 2: Molly is primarily interested in studying science, but she’ll take every opportunity she can get to continue to play the tuba at a high level. The Double Degree program sounds great, but she’s also happy with the options she would have to pursue music as a College student. She will apply Early Decision to the College of Arts and Sciences and Regular Decision to the Conservatory of Music.
Apply Early Decision to both divisions. The Common App will not permit you to submit multiple Early Decision applications in the same round, so select the Early Decision round on your Conservatory of Music application and select the Early Decision II round on your application to the College of Arts and Sciences. Submit both applications by November 1 to receive both decisions by mid-December.
Example: Josh loves Oberlin and can’t imagine going to college anywhere else. The Double Degree program sounds great, but he’s ready to say yes to either the College or the Conservatory. He will apply Early Decision to both divisions.
Timeline
Conservatory of Music | College of Arts & Sciences | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deadline | Conservatory of Music November 1 Early Decision | Conservatory of Music December 1 Regular Decision | College of Arts & Sciences November 1 | College of Arts & Sciences November 1 Early Action | College of Arts & Sciences January 2 Early Decision II | College of Arts & Sciences January 15 Regular Decision |
Notification by | Conservatory of Music December 15 | Conservatory of Music April 1 | College of Arts & Sciences December 15 | College of Arts & Sciences January 15 | College of Arts & Sciences February 1 | College of Arts & Sciences April 1 |
Reply Due | Conservatory of Music January 2 | Conservatory of Music May 1 | College of Arts & Sciences January 2 | College of Arts & Sciences May 1 | College of Arts & Sciences February 15 | College of Arts & Sciences May 1 |
Financial Aid
You only need to submit financial aid documents once as part of the Double Degree application process. While enrolled in both divisions, you’ll have one tuition bill and one financial aid package.
The Double Degree Program typically takes 4.5 to 5 years to complete. Your financial aid package stays with you that entire time. See full details on how to apply for aid on our Financial Aid Overview.