My Oberlin: College Admission Essay Sample

I wake up to the pleasant sound of The Flaming Lips flowing from my alarm clock. As I sit up and rub my eyes, I bask in the familiar comfort of my favorite piece of rented art. After dressing, I gather my belongings, walk out the door, check to make sure the energy light is green, and head to Stevie for some breakfast, or – if it’s a special occasion – to Slow Train for a chai latte and a scone. Finally, I stroll to my first class.

Plato once wrote, “Only a man who has a taste for every sort of knowledge and throws himself into acquiring it with an insatiable curiosity will deserve to be called a philosopher.” His words accurately describe my voracious appetite for learning, and the attitude with which I would approach learning at Oberlin. I want my college experience to open up opportunities for acquiring “every sort of knowledge”. This is why I love the liberal arts. I have always been that girl who does everything: it would be extremely difficult for me to settle down on one major alone. Hence one of my favorite things about Oberlin is how popular and accessible double majoring is, and I would certainly take full advantage of that option. Classes like “Philosophy of Music”, “Psychobiologial Perspective of the Arts”, and “Stage Combat” tantalize me with their intriguing subject matter. The wealth of academic opportunities at Oberlin is vast, and I would love to take part in it.

After my classes for the day are over and I have studied adequately, I slip into a practice room at the Conservatory, where I have been teaching myself how to play the pipe organ. I might run down to the basement to see what my buddies Matt and Will are cooking up with Tom and Peter in the TIMARA lab and suggest ideas for their current electroacoustic pieces. I tell them where everyone is meeting later tonight.

In 2012, I attended the week-long Sonic Arts Workshop at TIMARA and absolutely loved it. Not only did I love learning about the art of electronic music, but I also enjoyed falling in love with Oberlin’s campus. While there, I stayed in Burton Hall, ate at Stevie, learned in the Conservatory, and spent the rest of the time drinking in the sights; the art museum was one of my personal favorites. We were very lucky to be at Oberlin during the Chalk Walk, for which my friends and I drew a collage of interpretive scores inspired by the sounds we heard while drawing. The energy of the campus and the character of the town spoke to me, both as a student and as an artist.

I swing by Agave for guacamole and chips with some friends. As the sky darkens, I leave Agave and stroll along College until I reach my destination on the left. Harkness beckons; this impromptu dance party is one Obie short.