Before You Arrive in Oberlin

Deciding where to spend your college years is often difficult. We’re glad you chose Oberlin. Before you arrive in Oberlin, you’ll need to prepare for the move. Our programs and services are designed to help ease the transition to college life and to Oberlin.

Oberlin Accounts

Look for an email from noreply@oberlin.edu that will have your Oberlin account credentials, including your Oberlin ID (ObieID) and password, your Oberlin email account, and your T-Number (student ID number). Please check your spam if it is not in your inbox. This email will come a few days after you submit your matriculation deposit.

Engage Student Portal

Once you’ve logged into your Oberlin email address, you will find information on how to access the “Engage Student Portal”.

To help make sure you’re on track for a great first semester, you will be using a student portal called Engage. Through Engage, you can stay on top of tasks that you need to complete, easily access important resources, and communicate with faculty and staff.

Throughout the summer, we will be sharing “to-do lists” in the Engage Student Portal of important steps that you will need to complete.

How to review your checklist:

  1. Access your Engage portal with your ObieID and password using the link sent to your Oberlin email.
  2. Click on the “To-Do Lists” tile.
  3. Review and complete items. Some are required and some are optional.
  4. Mark each item as complete by clicking “Update.”
  5. If you have questions, email or call the contact listed for each to-do list item.

Beginning in May, you will receive weekly communications, as part of our “Ready, Set, Oberlin” newsletter series, from the Division of Student Affairs to welcome and introduce you to our community.

Make Selections for Courses

First-year Bachelor of Arts and Double Degree students will submit preferences for a first-year seminar. The Office of the Registrar will register each student for one of these courses. During the summer, students will learn more about course offerings, meet individually with a summer advisor, and register for additional courses. 

The Conservatory Dean’s Office will register Bachelor of Music and Double Degree students for core courses based on their major grid. After participating in an advising session, students will be able to register for additional courses.

When students arrive on campus in August, they will meet with their advisors to finalize their schedules.

Your Stuff: What to Bring and How to Get It Here

Check the List

Packing for college can seem overwhelming. Use the lists at What to Bring/Not to Bring to help you get organized and get started.

Mailing and Shipping Items

The address format for mailing items to the student mail room is:

Student Name
Obie ID (see below)
135 W. Lorain St.
Oberlin, OH 44074-1081

The Obie ID is the first part of the student’s email address: obieid@oberlin.edu. You may look up the email address in the campus directory.

Planning to Work?

If you plan to work in Oberlin, on or off campus, don’t leave home without proper work authorization documents! You’ll need these and other employment documents to satisfy federal employment eligibility (I-9) requirements. The list of acceptable documents can be found on page 3 of the I-9. Photocopies are not acceptable.

Please visit the Student Employment website for more information.

Can You Buy It Here?

Should you forget something or not have the room to bring it with you, we encourage you to shop local in downtown Oberlin. Along Oberlin’s main street area you’ll find a five-and-dime store, a market, clothing stores, and bookstores where you can buy essentials. All are within walking distance of the campus, but specialty shops and superstores are difficult to get to unless you have a car.

Browse this list of local businesses to find out where to buy what you need.

International Students

International Student and Scholar Services assists international students with a wide range of issues including developmental advising, community building, visa regulations, and immigration paperwork.

The office coordinates programming and educational events to help international students transition and get involved in campus life and serves as the hub of international student support on campus. Our international community includes more than 300 students with foreign citizenship from over 50 countries.

Getting Here, Getting There

Contact Us

If you have a question, don’t hesitate to reach out to Tina Zwegat, director of student involvement and orientation.

Email: tzwegat@oberlin.edu
Phone: 440-775-8167