The student was ''passionate about science,'' but his 1,140 on the SATs is about 200 points below Oberlin's median score, and his 2.9 grade point average is weak. Those factors suggest a deny, Serota says reluctantly. Yep, Serota says, from below a 2.9 as a freshman to a 3.6 in the first semester of his senior year. And that's where the file ends up. The student's science background also was a ''hook,'' in admissions jargon, because Oberlin's science faculty, boasting a new environmental studies center, is eager to enroll students.
Strong academics open the door for most candidates.
Oberlin's admissions department also must abide by a need-sensitive policy, a controversial practice in which ability to pay can become a factor. Still, it creates a challenge because the school doesn't want to discourage needy students. There are other tough calls. Oberlin avoids admitting too many applicants from a single high school, so they typically review them as a group. Chermonte and her staff ended up taking longer than they had hoped this year.