Tell us about Oberlin...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I get how it must be frustrating to alums but reputations change over time and I would think it is only fair that potential applicant understand what the (admittedly ill-informed) public perception is of the school. It's not FUD, it's just reality.....and you erode whatever credibility you have if you ignore facts and don't respond to what's happening on campus. Would you advise anybody you know to attend Evergreen State College?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's not just Lena Dunham. If you haven't already, you should read the article posted earlier.

I don't think anyone is saying Oberlin is a bad school or that you shouldn't go. Just be aware of the current reputation. It's quite possible that in a few years, the "hyper aggressive SJW" reputation will wear off. If it was me, and I got a nearly equal offer from a peer school, I'd take the other offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I get how it must be frustrating to alums but reputations change over time and I would think it is only fair that potential applicant understand what the (admittedly ill-informed) public perception is of the school. It's not FUD, it's just reality.....and you erode whatever credibility you have if you ignore facts and don't respond to what's happening on campus. Would you advise anybody you know to attend Evergreen State College?

I'm not an alum. Current parent and I can tell you that your impressions are wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I get how it must be frustrating to alums but reputations change over time and I would think it is only fair that potential applicant understand what the (admittedly ill-informed) public perception is of the school. It's not FUD, it's just reality.....and you erode whatever credibility you have if you ignore facts and don't respond to what's happening on campus. Would you advise anybody you know to attend Evergreen State College?

I'm not an alum. Current parent and I can tell you that your impressions are wrong.

NP. FFS.

It might astonish you to hear, but successful people come from a huge variety of colleges. An Oberlin degree might *maybe* hurt your chances of getting hired by, say, the Trump Administration but it will shut no doors elsewhere. Nor would an Evergreen State degree. Despite what people seem to think here, you can go wherever the hell you want for college and have a successful, happy life.

Oberlin is an excellent college.

[Anonymous]

My child’s HS Latin teacher has a degree from Oberlin. When I found out, i was very impressed. The teacher’s a little quirky, but but my kid likes him. BTW, DC’s MS Latin teacher (who was outstanding) had a degree from Bard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All snark aside, it's "elite" right?

No.

[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!

If you are who you are by 16/17, yours is a very stunted and strange life indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thanks for the advice. Not to derail the thread, but interested in any other suggestions? Looking for small class size (ADHD kid), middle of the pack at TJ (4.2-4.3 GPA, SATs should be 99%+ if the follow PSAT. Getting ready to sit as a junior). As in Humanities, Bs in Math, A-Bs science, will end up with 6 Humanities APs plus Calc and Post Calc and CS, music Extracurriculars but more on the band, community orchestra side, not regional awards and wants to continue as an extracurricular, looking for a LAC, and not engineering. Still unfocused on ultimate career path. Introvert, nerdy, liberal, but not SJW. Needs merit money to make up most of the difference the difference between instate and tuition. In state first choice will be WM. Davidson?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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. [/quote]

He should also look at Amherst - it has a very active music community.[/quote]

Or Wesleyan......huge music scene.[/quote]

Thanks for the advice. Not to derail the thread, but interested in any other suggestions? Looking for small class size (ADHD kid), middle of the pack at TJ (4.2-4.3 GPA, SATs should be 99%+ if the follow PSAT. Getting ready to sit as a junior). As in Humanities, Bs in Math, A-Bs science, will end up with 6 Humanities APs plus Calc and Post Calc and CS, music Extracurriculars but more on the band, community orchestra side, not regional awards and wants to continue as an extracurricular, looking for a LAC, and not engineering. Still unfocused on ultimate career path. Introvert, nerdy, liberal, but not SJW. Needs merit money to make up most of the difference the difference between instate and tuition. In state first choice will be WM. Davidson?[/quote]

Merit aid eliminates the NESCACs. Davidson is excellent. Vassar has a strong music and arts program as does Bard. I’d look at Kenyon and Dennison if you’re already considering Ohio schools. Any geographic constraints?

[Anonymous]

Earlham. Oberlin without the SJW excesses.

[Anonymous]

Oberlin has been, and is, a well regarded school. To be sure, it might be fading somewhat, as virtually all SLACs are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin has been, and is, a well regarded school. To be sure, it might be fading somewhat, as virtually all SLACs are.

Not exactly, the top SLACs keep getting more and more applications. Oberlin and the Midwest SLACs lost a lot of ground

Take a look at this for Oberlin and this for Swarthmore:

http://www2.oberlin.edu/instres/irhome/admissions.pdf
http://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/institutional-research/Admissions.pdf

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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. [/quote]

He should also look at Amherst - it has a very active music community.[/quote]

Or Wesleyan......huge music scene.[/quote]

Thanks for the advice. Not to derail the thread, but interested in any other suggestions? Looking for small class size (ADHD kid), middle of the pack at TJ (4.2-4.3 GPA, SATs should be 99%+ if the follow PSAT. Getting ready to sit as a junior). As in Humanities, Bs in Math, A-Bs science, will end up with 6 Humanities APs plus Calc and Post Calc and CS, music Extracurriculars but more on the band, community orchestra side, not regional awards and wants to continue as an extracurricular, looking for a LAC, and not engineering. Still unfocused on ultimate career path. Introvert, nerdy, liberal, but not SJW. Needs merit money to make up most of the difference the difference between instate and tuition. In state first choice will be WM. Davidson?[/quote]

no merit aid at Pomona either

Merit aid eliminates the NESCACs. Davidson is excellent. Vassar has a strong music and arts program as does Bard. I’d look at Kenyon and Dennison if you’re already considering Ohio schools. Any geographic constraints?[/quote]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Earlham. Oberlin without the SJW excesses.

Not really. Earlham is Oberlin with half the students, and whose students aren’t quite as smart.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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. [/quote]

He should also look at Amherst - it has a very active music community.[/quote]

Or Wesleyan......huge music scene.[/quote]

Thanks for the advice. Not to derail the thread, but interested in any other suggestions? Looking for small class size (ADHD kid), middle of the pack at TJ (4.2-4.3 GPA, SATs should be 99%+ if the follow PSAT. Getting ready to sit as a junior). As in Humanities, Bs in Math, A-Bs science, will end up with 6 Humanities APs plus Calc and Post Calc and CS, music Extracurriculars but more on the band, community orchestra side, not regional awards and wants to continue as an extracurricular, looking for a LAC, and not engineering. Still unfocused on ultimate career path. Introvert, nerdy, liberal, but not SJW. Needs merit money to make up most of the difference the difference between instate and tuition. In state first choice will be WM. Davidson?[/quote]

Merit aid eliminates the NESCACs. Davidson is excellent. Vassar has a strong music and arts program as does Bard. I’d look at Kenyon and Dennison if you’re already considering Ohio schools. Any geographic constraints?[/quote]

PP here. Pomona is a special case. And probably a reach. This is a kid who would probably be happiest within a 6-8 hour drive of us, or close relatives in NC, SC, GA. Will likely want to stay east coast.