Oberlin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think politics at Oberlin will be an issue for your DC. This is round-about but current. My DCs best friend is there studying poly sci there and she loves it. My DC is jokingly annoyed that her friends politics are still so middle of the road. So for all the crunchy-granola rep, that's not the lived experience at Oberlin. I think the unifying characteristic is intellectual and studious, not knee-jerk leftist. By comparison, my DC is at a school with less rep for social justice, and she's become more political in college. Neither one feels out of place at their chosen school.

PP, thanks for taking time to post this insight. Appreciate all the parents who've offered perspectives. Will try to get in a 4 OH LAC road trip in this summer.

Oberlin parent here. You may want to consider timing your visit for this event:

http://www.ohiosixcollegetours.com/register-for-the-ohio-six-college-tour-2

FWIW, I've visited all of these schools and like them all. I would have been very happy with any of them, from what I've seen on visits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think politics at Oberlin will be an issue for your DC. This is round-about but current. My DCs best friend is there studying poly sci there and she loves it. My DC is jokingly annoyed that her friends politics are still so middle of the road. So for all the crunchy-granola rep, that's not the lived experience at Oberlin. I think the unifying characteristic is intellectual and studious, not knee-jerk leftist. By comparison, my DC is at a school with less rep for social justice, and she's become more political in college. Neither one feels out of place at their chosen school.

PP, thanks for taking time to post this insight. Appreciate all the parents who've offered perspectives. Will try to get in a 4 OH LAC road trip in this summer.

Oberlin parent here. You may want to consider timing your visit for this event:

http://www.ohiosixcollegetours.com/register-for-the-ohio-six-college-tour-2

FWIW, I've visited all of these schools and like them all. I would have been very happy with any of them, from what I've seen on visits.

Very helpful - TY!

[Anonymous]

The description of Ohio Wesleyan in the Fiske guide was quite off-putting. It doesn’t sound like it has much in common with Oberlin, Kenyon, Wooster.

[Anonymous]

These cow-patch schools are not worth the dollars they are demanding. However, it assuages egos for FOMO parents whose DC can't snare admits to higher-ranked colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These cow-patch schools are not worth the dollars they are demanding. However, it assuages egos for FOMO parents whose DC can't snare admits to higher-ranked colleges.

Guessing you are either 17 or a parent with DCs under 10....

[Anonymous]

I'm a sophomore at Oberlin and am quite content. Admittedly, I didn't expect to attend (I was dead set on PSU or Pitt) but I got really amazing merit aid, which brought the cost down to instate tuition for me.

I wouldn't worry too much about the politics issue - for what it's worth, I also disagree with the Bakery lawsuit/scandal but it's been several years since the event and nobody really on campus at the time is still enrolled and nobody else really talks about it. I'm a Bernie Dem/leftist myself but many of my classmates and friends are fans of Biden or are more moderate and other than participating in voting drives (local elections are important!) and occasionally seeing infographics on Instagram, politics are not the biggest, most talked about issue and it's easy to avoid the minority of outspoken leftist radicals.

I like the size of the campus and student body. It's sooo much smaller than most state schools but bigger than my admittedly tiny high school. The Con also brings in more diversity of interests and opinions. Students can be involved in the town and local community, so it doesn't feel super isolated like some rural LACs. There are a bunch of clubs, student orgs, and activities & events on most weekends pre-pandemic, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on too much but I don't feel like I'm studying 24/7 either.

If you like Oberlin, give Kenyon or Wooster a look. Kenyon may match Oberlin's merit aid and Wooster will probably give more if they grant merit aid. I have friends at both who are very happy. Honestly, Wooster is seriously underrated with its intense senior thesis/project and tight-knit community and generous aid. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I am an Obie parent. My kid was a business scholar for a winter term there. Oberlin flew her group to SF, NY, and Boston to allow Obies to network with alums. To put Oberlin's politics in perspective, she learned that Oberlin's politics are more in line with SF. It's liberal, but for parents and prospective parents who have no problem with SF culture, kids will be fine.

[Anonymous]

My DC is an Obie grad who attended the Conservatory. DC was quite happy with the experience and still visits. I loved the town and overall vibe too.

[Anonymous]

Ranked #36 slac by US News. Not trending in the right direction. What’s going on with this school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an Obie parent. My kid was a business scholar for a winter term there. Oberlin flew her group to SF, NY, and Boston to allow Obies to network with alums. To put Oberlin's politics in perspective, she learned that Oberlin's politics are more in line with SF. It's liberal, but for parents and prospective parents who have no problem with SF culture, kids will be fine.

But it’s politics didn’t align with NY and Boston?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These cow-patch schools are not worth the dollars they are demanding. However, it assuages egos for FOMO parents whose DC can't snare admits to higher-ranked colleges.

This! Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an Obie parent. My kid was a business scholar for a winter term there. Oberlin flew her group to SF, NY, and Boston to allow Obies to network with alums. To put Oberlin's politics in perspective, she learned that Oberlin's politics are more in line with SF. It's liberal, but for parents and prospective parents who have no problem with SF culture, kids will be fine.

But it’s politics didn’t align with NY and Boston?

Let's just say Oberlin's value can make someone a better business person. Wall Street would be better off with a little bit of Oberlin in it.

Obies go places. Obies can go to Wall Street. My kid chose silicon valley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These cow-patch schools are not worth the dollars they are demanding. However, it assuages egos for FOMO parents whose DC can't snare admits to higher-ranked colleges.

This! Exactly!

Are the two of you always such ignorant douche canoes in real life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an Obie parent. My kid was a business scholar for a winter term there. Oberlin flew her group to SF, NY, and Boston to allow Obies to network with alums. To put Oberlin's politics in perspective, she learned that Oberlin's politics are more in line with SF. It's liberal, but for parents and prospective parents who have no problem with SF culture, kids will be fine.

But it’s politics didn’t align with NY and Boston?

Let's just say Oberlin's value can make someone a better business person. Wall Street would be better off with a little bit of Oberlin in it.

Obies go places. Obies can go to Wall Street. My kid chose silicon valley.

OK, but that’s not what I asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sophomore at Oberlin and am quite content. Admittedly, I didn't expect to attend (I was dead set on PSU or Pitt) but I got really amazing merit aid, which brought the cost down to instate tuition for me.

I wouldn't worry too much about the politics issue - for what it's worth, I also disagree with the Bakery lawsuit/scandal but it's been several years since the event and nobody really on campus at the time is still enrolled and nobody else really talks about it. I'm a Bernie Dem/leftist myself but many of my classmates and friends are fans of Biden or are more moderate and other than participating in voting drives (local elections are important!) and occasionally seeing infographics on Instagram, politics are not the biggest, most talked about issue and it's easy to avoid the minority of outspoken leftist radicals.

I like the size of the campus and student body. It's sooo much smaller than most state schools but bigger than my admittedly tiny high school. The Con also brings in more diversity of interests and opinions. Students can be involved in the town and local community, so it doesn't feel super isolated like some rural LACs. There are a bunch of clubs, student orgs, and activities & events on most weekends pre-pandemic, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on too much but I don't feel like I'm studying 24/7 either.

If you like Oberlin, give Kenyon or Wooster a look. Kenyon may match Oberlin's merit aid and Wooster will probably give more if they grant merit aid. I have friends at both who are very happy. Honestly, Wooster is seriously underrated with its intense senior thesis/project and tight-knit community and generous aid. Good luck!

We are politically diverse! All the way from Bernie to Biden!
Thank you for concisely summarizing the problems of almost all colleges these days (and the DCUM reader- and posterage) How the hell can anyone expect to gain critical thinking skills when only exposed to such a small part of the ideological spectrum? This significantly contributes how many think that STEM ( without seemingly knowing that LACs also excel at STEM) is what college should be about. LACs will continue their long term decline until they provide an actual "diverse" education rather than the faux diversity advocated by the ovine academic community. This will be a shame, but is likely irreversible.