<p>I agree with bfw611 and SDonCC. Students select LACs to explore a wide range of disciplines; they are not enrolling in a conservatory or a pre-professional track. I too can see the value of having a portfolio, an audition or a professor’s approval for higher level classes, but to shut students out at a lower level because of a lack of talent or experience is so unfair and unfortunately this is what is happening. Perhaps more classes need to be added at Oberlin in those areas where there is a high level of student interest? Where the article errs is that this does not only happen with electives at Oberlin; it also happens with classes which are needed to declare a major not only in creative writing but in other impacted or popular majors such as theater and visual arts. Students should be admitted to pre-major classes in the arts based on motivation and passion. How else are they going to learn something new? My sophomore daughter has hit so many roadblocks and she has basically had a fall of wasted filler classes this semester. She is trying to navigate alternate options for a major as the clock is ticking, but she is also thinking she may ultimately have to transfer if she cannot get spring classes that make sense due to the frustration (not to mention such a high cost).</p>