Skidmore vs Oberlin for stem

[Anonymous]

Anyone with recent experience of either of these schools for stem/premed? Skidmore is ranked much higher in USNews, but I have heard that Oberlin is underranked, and is particularly good for stem.

[Anonymous]

When considered by medical school matriculation percentages, this analysis placed Oberlin 29th among LACs and Skidmore 76th:

https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/from-pre-med-to-md-understanding-the-pathways-to-medical-school/

[Anonymous]

This forum loves Oberlin. I would guess it’s because it was a much higher ranked school when we were in college. The forum is so obsessed with rankings, I find it odd that Oberlin gets a pass.

[Anonymous]

For a common premed major such as, in particular, biology, I'd rate these schools as equally excellent.

[Anonymous]

I've always thought of Oberlin being stronger in sciences, but I couldn't tell you where I got that impression from. It might be outdated sentiment. I do believe Oberlin has good science facilities and good med school placement, but Skidmore might also.

[Anonymous]

Oberlin's science program is excellent, but probably either school will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Oberlin has more grads per capita receive a Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, math, physics, and computer science.

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-phd-programs

[Anonymous]

Neither.

[Anonymous]

Oberlin. Terrific undergraduate research opportunities, long history of preparing students for scientific careers. Also a really terrific place for students with strong commitments in both sciences and the humanities or the arts: v feasible to double major in widely disparate fields and many students do.

[Anonymous]

Have not been to skidmore, but have been to Oberlin. I struggle to imagine that a student would be able to get sufficient clinical exposure at Oberlin unless they spent several summers pursuing it aggressively. No medical center. Middle of nowhere. And yes, before you attack, I do medical school admissions and yes, clinical hours are very important.

[Anonymous]

I think Oberlin and Skidmore are very comparable and have strong similarities and overlaps. If accepted to both, I’d probably go with whichever is a better fit for the student. Location-wise they are pretty different. Oberlin felt very small town and I found Saratoga Springs much more appealing.

I know Skidmore recently opened a new integrated science building so the college seems to be investing significant resources in STEM.

https://www.skidmore.edu/news/2022/1216-cis-tour.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have not been to skidmore, but have been to Oberlin. I struggle to imagine that a student would be able to get sufficient clinical exposure at Oberlin unless they spent several summers pursuing it aggressively. No medical center. Middle of nowhere. And yes, before you attack, I do medical school admissions and yes, clinical hours are very important.

Cleveland is about 40 mins away from Oberlin and many students spend summers there for internships and research in a range of fields (arts, science, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Definitely Oberlin, from an academic standpoint alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have not been to skidmore, but have been to Oberlin. I struggle to imagine that a student would be able to get sufficient clinical exposure at Oberlin unless they spent several summers pursuing it aggressively. No medical center. Middle of nowhere. And yes, before you attack, I do medical school admissions and yes, clinical hours are very important.

My son graduated from a SLAC in the “middle of nowhere” 2 years ago and has at least 5 friends currently in or about to matriculate this fall in med school. So obviously it is possible.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, Skidmore seems like it has been rising in recent years whereas Oberlin has been declining. They’re still both comparable and very solid liberal arts programs, but I think one has better momentum than the other