Tell us about Oberlin...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College is a bit what you put in and not everyone is ready to kill it on the SAT at age 16/17.

Ah the old late bloomer myth. 99% of people are who they are by their late teens. Elite firms are even asking for SAT scores now!

Cite the published research studies (with links) where your very specific percentage was generated. Sample size? Dates? Interpretation by recognized experts in psychology?

Cite examples of these elite firms that are asking for SAT scores. Names of firms. Examples of the types of positions for which they have candidates produce SAT scores.

Your imagination and "what I've heard" can't be cited as sources.

Ready, set, cite.

[Anonymous]

OP-- I have a TJ kid, who, against all odds, has managed to become more liberal arts, less STEM during and has tracked mostly humanities APs. Not applying to the conservatory, but has a strong music background with a lot of music Extracurriculars, and wants to comtinue to play in some form in college. Oberlin is a top choice for him. He needs to spend a night on campus, but we've been very impressed, and are especially looking at small class size and strong undergrad teaching by professors. But then again, we are more into what is the right college fit for DC specifically, and less into what college can I name drop at work to sound impressive.

Williams, Wake Forest and Claremont colleges, esp. Pomona, are also high on his list.

[Anonymous]

Just look at any top 10 LAC list. It's hard to tell from your post how to choose between them (I.e. urban/rural, etc.). You may want to consider William & Mary as a LAC-like option that is cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're going for the music, I'd go somewhere else. If you have the grades to get a big scholarship from Oberlin, you can get a decent deal somewhere else. Oberlin has been stigmatized as a place for affluent snowflake troublemakers. Yes, there is an element of that everywhere, but it's particularly prevalent at Oberlin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're going for the music, I'd go somewhere else. If you have the grades to get a big scholarship from Oberlin, you can get a decent deal somewhere else. Oberlin has been stigmatized as a place for affluent snowflake troublemakers. Yes, there is an element of that everywhere, but it's particularly prevalent at Oberlin.

Perception is reality so unless your child gets an unbelievable scholarship at Oberlin I don't see why anyone would want to deal with the preconceived notions that go along with an Oberlin degree.....especially given the long list of comparable or better schools.

[Anonymous]

The two kids I know there now are the really nice, bright, well-rounded, down-to-earth children of academic/lawyer couples. One’s more arty, one’s more athletic. Both seem to be flourishing. Each had a different/interesting study abroad experience. Politics are lefty but neither is an SJW.

[Anonymous]

Used to live in the town. My take was the school was heavily populated with kids from New York/New England and that they generally stopped bathing by October because they were all crunchy granola.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-- I have a TJ kid, who, against all odds, has managed to become more liberal arts, less STEM during and has tracked mostly humanities APs. Not applying to the conservatory, but has a strong music background with a lot of music Extracurriculars, and wants to comtinue to play in some form in college. Oberlin is a top choice for him. He needs to spend a night on campus, but we've been very impressed, and are especially looking at small class size and strong undergrad teaching by professors. But then again, we are more into what is the right college fit for DC specifically, and less into what college can I name drop at work to sound impressive.

Williams, Wake Forest and Claremont colleges, esp. Pomona, are also high on his list.

He should also look at Amherst - it has a very active music community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-- I have a TJ kid, who, against all odds, has managed to become more liberal arts, less STEM during and has tracked mostly humanities APs. Not applying to the conservatory, but has a strong music background with a lot of music Extracurriculars, and wants to comtinue to play in some form in college. Oberlin is a top choice for him. He needs to spend a night on campus, but we've been very impressed, and are especially looking at small class size and strong undergrad teaching by professors. But then again, we are more into what is the right college fit for DC specifically, and less into what college can I name drop at work to sound impressive.

Williams, Wake Forest and Claremont colleges, esp. Pomona, are also high on his list.

He should also look at Amherst - it has a very active music community.

Or Wesleyan......huge music scene.

[Anonymous]

I know the Washington Times isn't the most credible source, but they make some fair points in their article on the enrollment drop:

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/14/enrollment-drops-at-schools-known-for-social-justi/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Used to live in the town. My take was the school was heavily populated with kids from New York/New England and that they generally stopped bathing by October because they were all crunchy granola.

You've posted this on past Oberlin threads so maybe get some new material!

[Anonymous]

I bet none of you who criticized the school have set foot on campus. The best legal intern I ever had is an Oberlin grad and a 3L at Harvard Law School. My sister attended and is a pioneer in the music business. Her best friend is a noteworthy psychiatrist. If you can get a merit scholarship that reduces the cost of college significantly why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet none of you who criticized the school have set foot on campus. The best legal intern I ever had is an Oberlin grad and a 3L at Harvard Law School. My sister attended and is a pioneer in the music business. Her best friend is a noteworthy psychiatrist. If you can get a merit scholarship that reduces the cost of college significantly why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?

Why so defensive? I think applicants should understand the market's view of a college, deserved or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just look at any top 10 LAC list. It's hard to tell from your post how to choose between them (I.e. urban/rural, etc.). You may want to consider William & Mary as a LAC-like option that is cheaper.

Since he's a TJ kid and maybe not turned off by science, you might want to consider Carleton, which is relatively stronger in natural sciences than other LACs.

PS: The use of the term "liberals arts" in this forum is often confusing. Natural sciences and mathematics are part of the liberal arts. If you really mean humanities, just use that word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet none of you who criticized the school have set foot on campus. The best legal intern I ever had is an Oberlin grad and a 3L at Harvard Law School. My sister attended and is a pioneer in the music business. Her best friend is a noteworthy psychiatrist. If you can get a merit scholarship that reduces the cost of college significantly why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?

Why so defensive? I think applicants should understand the market's view of a college, deserved or not.

I'm not PP but I can easily answer your question. People who know that Oberlin is a great place are frustrated by those who continue to spread the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) without really knowing all of the positive aspects of the school. From those who repeat "Lena Dunham enough said" to the comment about students not bathing to the fact that it's seriously on the decline. It's just rude and it makes those who actually do know more about the college want to step up and defend a place that seems to be getting trashed on this thread.