Macalester vs Kenyon vs Oberlin for science major

[Anonymous]

I think these are all likely places my strong in science and math child will apply. They love history too. Any thoughts or experience with science post-grad outcomes and which might be better for a well rounded but analytically gifted sort of student?
Appreciate positive comments, please.

[Anonymous]

Of the three, Oberlin probably has the strongest science departments. A lot of its students go on to PhD programs.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP, Oberlin is probably the best of the three for sciences. DD was interested in majoring in Chemistry at one point and actually crossed Kenyon off the list because there were very few science majors. She generally liked the school but I think the most common major is English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of the three, Oberlin probably has the strongest science departments. A lot of its students go on to PhD programs.

+1. I have an Obie in a sciences field who is planning to work for a year and get a PhD. Two years of research with a prof. Plus a summer of research. Who is their “mentor” and a co-author on 1-2 papers. A study abroad with a research component specific to their interest. Getting ready to present at a conference. Is working with the school on their personal statement. After the Conservatory, sciences is Oberlin’s strongest area.

That said, my kid also applied to Mac and Kenyon and was accepted, also with merit. Kenyon is lovely, but more remote and stronger in humanities (esp writing and English) than science. I think that’s your third place choice in terms of science pre-PhD.

I loved Mac, which had a lovely, walkable suburban campus and was also strong in my kid’s area of science. But neither my kid, nor their sibling 3 years later, liked the school when they visited. It was very, very white. Sibling also passed on Oberlin.

Mac and Oberlin are schools you need to visit. I will cheerlead Oberlin’s science department. But doing well at Oberlin is really about fit, so I would never insist it’s the best school for your specific kid. You also need to visit Mac. Not sure why it raised such negative feelings in my kids— maybe the lack of diversity after the DMV?

[Anonymous]

My kid also like Macalester until his visit. We were surprised at the turnaround.

[Anonymous]

The science majors I met while touring Kenyon seemed to have amazing undergraduate research experiences and other support from the college. I was particularly impressed with the number of female science majors in hard sciences.

[Anonymous]

Definitely check out Oberlin. My husband and I were science majors there. Earlier in the year, we were back in Oberlin for my husband to give a seminar, and I was really impressed at the level of engagement that the students had at the talk. We also spent time with the faculty, and it was nice to see that the professors were just as invested in teaching and the success of their students as they had been when we were students there. There are lots opportunities to do research with faculty, whether it’s during the school year or during the January winter term. And it’s very common for science majors to have interests outside of science, too.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others who say it would be good to visit all if you can. They are all strong schools and I think this would come down to fit. My DS crossed Kenyon off his list after feeling like even Oberlin was too far away from a city. Oberlin looked perfect on paper for him, but it did not click with him at all on our visit (it didn't with us either). He really tried to like it, but he told us the other day that it is off this list. Macalester was quite a surprise - we all loved it and it has moved into the top 2 for our son. He loved the proximity to the airport (we are a flight away), loved the location with easy access to stores and restaurants, and he loved that is so accessible to public transportation. The students he met were really engaging and one even took him to class with him. Yes, the students can be a bit quirky but that's exactly what my kid really liked about it.

[Anonymous]

Sending your college student to Ohio now that is genius.

[Anonymous]

For those commenting on diversity, according to this site, Oberlin and Macalester are very similar. https://datausa.io/profile/university/oberlin-college

[Anonymous]

Of those three, my science kid applied to Macalester. I thought Oberlin would be a good choice but he wasn't interest. If you visit Macalester, you might also want to check out Carleton.

These charts about top Ph.D. feeders might be helpful: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-phd-programs

[Anonymous]

How do Macalester and Carleton compare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of those three, my science kid applied to Macalester. I thought Oberlin would be a good choice but he wasn't interest. If you visit Macalester, you might also want to check out Carleton.

These charts about top Ph.D. feeders might be helpful: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-phd-programs

If you are in MN, also visit St. Olaf. It was my kids “sleeper safety”. We visited because we were right there. And he loved it. Also strong in fine arts and science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of those three, my science kid applied to Macalester. I thought Oberlin would be a good choice but he wasn't interest. If you visit Macalester, you might also want to check out Carleton.

These charts about top Ph.D. feeders might be helpful: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-phd-programs

Also St. Olaf, which ranks high on that top feeders list too

[Anonymous]

How about Grinnell? My current Obie, also a STEM major, also considered Mac, Grinnell, Carleton, and Wooster as well.