Why apply to an Oberlin/Kenyon/Grinnell

[Anonymous]

Agree with 9:34 on the weird attitude. My parents told me they would pay for the best school I could get into and saved to make it happen. I have friends whose parents refused to pay although they could well afford it. I have told my kids the same as my parents told me. And we do drive one older car and live below our means but aren’t cheap on the things that matter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Just the red states. Lack of intelligence and morality among a good portion of the population is an important consideration.

Many parents have told me their kids refuse to look at colleges in red states. My son’s friend (a female) said she thinks the college process is harder for girls because there are so many states now where she can’t get healthcare. It’s a real issue.

My kid isn’t discounting Ohio schools entirely but knows he might spend more time on campus than if he went to a school in a more open-minded area. He’s gay and not white. Don’t pretend Republicans care about his well being.

I agree that it’s important to seek open-mindedness.

[Anonymous]

Nicer people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nicer people.

Born, raised, and college educated in Ohio. I went to one of the top liberal arts school in the state when women were valued enough as human beings to receive proper healthcare when needed. Alas, those times are well behind Ohio.

Ten years ago, I was eager to tell people how great many of the colleges and universities are in the state. They are still great. I received a phenomenal education. Phenomenal.

However, I am not recommending any Ohio school to anyone with daughters and only select schools to those with boys. Our kids will not be attending any Ohio school for higher education.

The state is failing on a number of fronts and is considered the Alabama of the North.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Just the red states. Lack of intelligence and morality among a good portion of the population is an important consideration.

Many parents have told me their kids refuse to look at colleges in red states. My son’s friend (a female) said she thinks the college process is harder for girls because there are so many states now where she can’t get healthcare. It’s a real issue.

My kid isn’t discounting Ohio schools entirely but knows he might spend more time on campus than if he went to a school in a more open-minded area. He’s gay and not white. Don’t pretend Republicans care about his well being.

I'm a Republican and I care about his well being. You on the other hand sound like a closed minded a-hole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Just the red states. Lack of intelligence and morality among a good portion of the population is an important consideration.

Many parents have told me their kids refuse to look at colleges in red states. My son’s friend (a female) said she thinks the college process is harder for girls because there are so many states now where she can’t get healthcare. It’s a real issue.

My kid isn’t discounting Ohio schools entirely but knows he might spend more time on campus than if he went to a school in a more open-minded area. He’s gay and not white. Don’t pretend Republicans care about his well being.

My son is also gay and not white. He's having a good experience at Oberlin. There is a town/gown divide, but the college community is incredibly supportive. I'd give it a look. (My son would not have considered Kenyon.)

[Anonymous]

Half the stuff people spew in this discussion group is garbage. It's either trying to boost a school or put it down. Very little honest discussion.

All of the liberal arts college mentioned here are superb placed to receive an education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Half the stuff people spew in this discussion group is garbage. It's either trying to boost a school or put it down. Very little honest discussion.

All of the liberal arts college mentioned here are superb placed to receive an education.

THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grinnell is a Plan B for kids who don’t get into Swat or Haverford.

Kenyon is a Plan B for kids who don’t get into a top NESCAC.

Oberlin is just Oberlin. Kids who go there want to be there. It’s not for everyone.

The cluelessness about families' financial considerations is mind-boggling to me.

Yes, yes, yes.

BTW, many of DCs' friends passed on Haverford as it felt too small to them in a way that other LACs did not.

OMG. We were at Haverford three weeks ago. DS, DH, and I each felt the environment was completely claustrophobic. It was even worse as we left campus in our car and realized how small it all is (notwithstanding a few acres of trees fringing the actual campus/buildings). It is off the lisr!

We all loved Haverford. DC was admitted to Haverford and Swat, along with a number of other SLACS, and eventually chose Grinnell. There was much to like about all the SLACs we visited.

Can you explain why your DC chose Grinnell over the others? Are they happy there, and feel it was the right choice?

Sorry. I just saw this, so I am responding late. DC felt "at home" at Grinnell from the start. In terms of why she chose Grinnell over other schools, the choice was somewhat akin to falling in love rather than an entirely rational process based on an analysis of rankings, averages, or an analysis of majors. It wasn't necessarily that she felt Grinnell was "better" than the others. It's just that she loved everything about Grinnell, from small things like the trees and the buildings to big things like the students and the academics. On her visits (we visited twice), DC said she felt connected with the students she met, felt they loved learning for its own sake, and were natural and unpretentious. She liked the "smallness" and "coziness" of the school and the town and felt they offered a perfect "mini-society." She is extremely happy there and has lovely friends and professors (who are also friends). She also loves the intense learning and the fact that her classmates are so engaged and enthusiastic about what they learn. She and I both feel it was the best choice for her. I've enjoyed watching her evolve, mature, and become more nuanced in her thinking, kinder, more informed, more thoughtful, and startlingly articulate. There are lots of schools that might be perfect for another student, but my DC found her sweet spot at Grinnell.

[Anonymous]

Fit. Kenyon was great for colleagues DC who was quirky, introverted, wanted to be in an isolated small town. Also, DC wanted to participate in a particular team sport but did not want the Division 1 sports culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 9:34 on the weird attitude. My parents told me they would pay for the best school I could get into and saved to make it happen. I have friends whose parents refused to pay although they could well afford it. I have told my kids the same as my parents told me. And we do drive one older car and live below our means but aren’t cheap on the things that matter

I wouldn't pay for High Point. We all have lines

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Just the red states. Lack of intelligence and morality among a good portion of the population is an important consideration.

Many parents have told me their kids refuse to look at colleges in red states. My son’s friend (a female) said she thinks the college process is harder for girls because there are so many states now where she can’t get healthcare. It’s a real issue.

My kid isn’t discounting Ohio schools entirely but knows he might spend more time on campus than if he went to a school in a more open-minded area. He’s gay and not white. Don’t pretend Republicans care about his well being.

I'm a Republican and I care about his well being. You on the other hand sound like a closed minded a-hole.

Not the PP to whom you are referring, but you as a GOPer caring about PP's DS' well-being flies in the face of the rest of your party. You're one point of care along a gauntlet of other party members committed to overturning marriage equality, denying abortion care to women across the country, etc. The fact that you accused that parent of being "a closed minded a-hole" during the same week that Nex Benedict was murdered in a HS bathroom may tip your hand as who really fits your description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

The above post is just a bit too obvious. Feel like I need to jump in Kenyon's pool just to wash off the bs.

Dated a competitive swimmer but never really got it. That said, if you are at all exposed to the swimmers, then Kenyon is on your radar. It's a great school for someone who wants to continue in the swim world, but doesn't want the rigors of a D1 program or have the times to be recruited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Keep in mind, this is the type of people at Kenyon. Honestly, they are the students and athletes who couldn't get into a NESCAC. This Kenyon boosting is sad and beyond transparent. There is not a single school, anywhere, who tells prospective students that they are aspiring to be like another school, especially not Kenyon.

Also for kids who don't want to deal with the East Coast prep school atmosphere at NESCAC schools.

I chose Kenyon over several of the less prestigious NESCAC schools, largely b/c Kenyon felt more Midwestern and less lax-bro centric.

Worked out nicely for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin and Kenyon are amazing schools. Ohio sucks for sure and the atmosphere off campus is probably way too closed-minded and conservative for most students (and parents).

However, Kenton's writing program is great and the swim team is often the best in D3. Even swimmers like my son who could swim at a D1 program are eager to see Kenyon because of how much everyone talks about it.

We actually had an admissions rep from a competing NE school tell us how great Kenyon was and my son should consider it because the swim program was so good.
Went to another competitive LAC in PA and yet another admissions person said that Kenyon was what they aspire to be like in many ways.

I know kids with great ECs, 1580 SATs and 4.0 unweighted GPAs who were rejected from Kenyon. It's pretty popular despite being in Ohio.
Once kids are on campus, the surrounding area doesn't affect them much.
Colgate and Hamilton are great schools but they are about as far as Kenyon and Oberlin and the weather and surrounding area are just as bad.

“Ohio sucks for sure” and “despite being in Ohio …” Do you paint every state with this broad a brush?

Just the red states. Lack of intelligence and morality among a good portion of the population is an important consideration.

Many parents have told me their kids refuse to look at colleges in red states. My son’s friend (a female) said she thinks the college process is harder for girls because there are so many states now where she can’t get healthcare. It’s a real issue.

My kid isn’t discounting Ohio schools entirely but knows he might spend more time on campus than if he went to a school in a more open-minded area. He’s gay and not white. Don’t pretend Republicans care about his well being.

My son is also gay and not white. He's having a good experience at Oberlin. There is a town/gown divide, but the college community is incredibly supportive. I'd give it a look. (My son would not have considered Kenyon.)

When I visited the Oberlin dorms in the 90's, I met a student who self-identified as a vampire.

With the college's blessing, they resided in a windowless maintenance closet so as not to be exposed to sunlight (and its deleterious effects on vampires).

Great education available, and a welcoming, perhaps overly welcoming environment, for literally anyone.

Excellent fit for some kids; awful fit for others.