Visiting Oberlin late January

[Anonymous]

My DD (junior) has her heart set on Brown after visiting over Thanksgiving (we have family there). I feel like we made a mistake visiting because she fell in love, and you know, it’s BROWN! Her stats are excellent but slim to none chance she’ll get into Brown.

We are trying to find other schools that are more within reach (and that might even provide merit aid) for her to fall in love with. From what I’ve read and heard, Oberlin looks like a good option for her to have on her application list. She’s very persuaded by architectural and natural beauty of a campus but she’s not afraid of the cold (she likes it). My husband is going to Cleveland for another reason in late January and thinking of taking her. Would it be a mistake to go when it’s cold and gray there? She’s the kind of kid who will be very influenced (either way) by an in-person visit. Should we wait until the weather is nicer?

[Anonymous]

Oberlin has a cute little town but Lorain County is depressing. The nearest city is Elyria and then Lorain, which is on the lake.

The kids at Oberlin are really insular though.

[Anonymous]

It’s gray there from November through March - January is a great time to go because she will see what the weather/climate is like for A LOT of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has a cute little town but Lorain County is depressing. The nearest city is Elyria and then Lorain, which is on the lake.

The kids at Oberlin are really insular though.

Insular in what way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has a cute little town but Lorain County is depressing. The nearest city is Elyria and then Lorain, which is on the lake.

The kids at Oberlin are really insular though.

Insular in what way?

I lived there after college but wasn’t a student. They just keep to themselves. There has been some conflict with the town and some controversies.

There’s a heavy contingent from the New York area and an … attitude that goes with that.

The conservatory is really good.

PP is right that that part of Ohio is really just cold, grey and a little depressing from late November to March. The lake effect (snow) is real.

[Anonymous]

January is the perfect time to visit because it’s realistic about what it’s like.

Look into Wesleyan, Macalaster, and Hamilton, and Bates. Not sure re merit but they are sort of similar vibe wise to brown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:January is the perfect time to visit because it’s realistic about what it’s like.

Look into Wesleyan, Macalaster, and Hamilton, and Bates. Not sure re merit but they are sort of similar vibe wise to brown.

Thanks yes they are all on her list. They also feel like reaches given the climate with admissions right now!! It’s scary!

[Anonymous]

Oberlin has a January session, so check to see whether they will be between sessions, have tours, etc.

If you want her to like Oberlin: stay at the Hotel Oberlin if you can. There’s a super cute bakery down the street and a nice coffee shop near the Apollo movie theater. There’s a cool vintage store called Ratsy’s. There’s also an art supply store where you can spend 20 minutes with kittens who are being fostered (the under of the store wants them to be socialized to get ready for adoption).

The Oberlin art museum might appeal.

[Anonymous]

Is Oberlin still dry? Back in the 1990s only the college itself had a liquor license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has a January session, so check to see whether they will be between sessions, have tours, etc.

If you want her to like Oberlin: stay at the Hotel Oberlin if you can. There’s a super cute bakery down the street and a nice coffee shop near the Apollo movie theater. There’s a cool vintage store called Ratsy’s. There’s also an art supply store where you can spend 20 minutes with kittens who are being fostered (the under of the store wants them to be socialized to get ready for adoption).

The Oberlin art museum might appeal.

Oh wow these are incredibly helpful suggestions. Her favorite things are going to thrift/vintage stores and cats.

[Anonymous]

Just saying' ... remember to build the list from the bottom up. Love thy safety. Ideally, a choice of safeties. Then concentrate on reach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just saying' ... remember to build the list from the bottom up. Love thy safety. Ideally, a choice of safeties. Then concentrate on reach

You mean in terms of visiting? Yes her list is very reach heavy. Ithica, UVM, Syracuse are the more likelies.

[Anonymous]

A little farther down the road, but would she also be interested in visiting Kenyon and Wooster? Kenyon is supposed to have a stunning campus. There seemed to be a lot of cross-admits between these schools, although we unfortunately never made it to the other colleges.

My kid's at Oberlin and the spring semester doesn't start until late January, so campus might be on the quieter side. Tours will likely still be offered during winter term. My kid also applied to some reach schools with high stats and average ECs but received acceptances from Vassar, Carleton, Macalester, and Colby, to name a few that might end up working out for your kid/be of interest. Merit was very generous at Oberlin and classmates with similar stats received generous merit aid from Wooster as well. A lot of DD's classmates ended up at Oberlin due to merit aid and are doing well. The college boasts pretty strong programs across the board, so there's a lot to dip your toes into and focus on academically. Good luck to your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has a January session, so check to see whether they will be between sessions, have tours, etc.

If you want her to like Oberlin: stay at the Hotel Oberlin if you can. There’s a super cute bakery down the street and a nice coffee shop near the Apollo movie theater. There’s a cool vintage store called Ratsy’s. There’s also an art supply store where you can spend 20 minutes with kittens who are being fostered (the under of the store wants them to be socialized to get ready for adoption).

The Oberlin art museum might appeal.

Yes, OP. Please research this cute bakery (I'm assuming pp means Gibson's--but even if OP is referring to someone other one, please research Gibson's) and their recent history with Oberlin.

After what Oberlin did to that bakery, I can't imagine why any parent would think their child would fit in there. Surely your daughter has at least some redeeming qualities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has a January session, so check to see whether they will be between sessions, have tours, etc.

If you want her to like Oberlin: stay at the Hotel Oberlin if you can. There’s a super cute bakery down the street and a nice coffee shop near the Apollo movie theater. There’s a cool vintage store called Ratsy’s. There’s also an art supply store where you can spend 20 minutes with kittens who are being fostered (the under of the store wants them to be socialized to get ready for adoption).

The Oberlin art museum might appeal.

Oh wow these are incredibly helpful suggestions. Her favorite things are going to thrift/vintage stores and cats.

My daughter is the same (but decided she needed a bigger town/better city access). We visited a few months ago.

Slow Train Cafe for coffee. Blue Rooster Bakehouse for a yummy treat. Ginko Gallery for kittens (just ask an employee). Ratsy’s will be a must-see, especially the back room.