<p>Hi tmmenon,</p>
<p>You cannot apply for merit aid, but there is some available - I got some merit aid. You definitely can apply for need based aid, and they are very generous, and make no distinction between American and international students - I know several international students on a full ride.</p>
<p>Oberlin has two colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. While both are very good, the Conservatory is world-famous and people reject even Juillard to go to Oberlin. There is a program called the double degree program where you can get two degrees, a BA and a BM (Bachelor of Music), it takes five years. Pretty much everyone in the Conservatory has a very high skill level, and I think BassDad has covered all you need to know about getting in.</p>
<p>However, if you just want to be a College of Arts and Sciences student that’s very involved in music, that’s definitely very possible, and a lot of people do it. Any College student can take pretty much any of the classes at the Conservatory. There are a lot of bands, orchestras etc. that College students can be involved in. You can also take secondary lessons - private lessons from Conservatory professors or students.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what instrument(s) do you play, and where in South India are you from? I’d assume Kerala?</p>