Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Oberlin is an unthinkable option for a lot of people at this point. Regardless of historical prestige or current academic quality
Oberlin takes 800 kids a year between the Con and A&S. It’s an unthinkable option for most people. So are most SLACs. These aren’t schools that take a class of 30,000. And they aren’t cheap. Now, I’m sure you are trying to get a “too woke” dig in. Which tells me you don’t understand Oberlin. Yes, the campus expectation is treating trans kids with respect. No, you don’t have to room with a trans kid against your will. Oberlin was the first college to integrate, the first to go co-Ed and leader in Supporting LGB students. They have an amazing record on civil rights. I have no doubt they are right here too.
As for the campus environment, my older kid is at WM, which has a had a much more difficult time with the Israel-hamas issues than Oberlin. Much bigger and louder protests, a brawl that had to be broken up by campus police, a police presence when either side “tables” or protests, a brick thrown through a window. And, I’d like to say this is an aberration, but DD was telling us last year about militant behavior of “students for life” after the Dobbs decision and that they were getting in the faces of students who disagreed with them. And again, wherever Students for Life went last year, there was a campus police presence.
You should learn about Oberlin before dismissing it. Barefoot dialogues has brought a lot to campus in the last 5 or so years. The expectation is that students and faculty will discuss your ideas with you— without needing campus police on standby. There isn’t the kind of protesting I’ve seen at WM and other schools. There is more direct action— like arranging concerts for relief funds.
Also, ranking a Oberlin in Ohio schools is pointless.”Oberlin kids” will always go there over every other college in Ohio. And kids who don’t like Oberlin will never attend. I know Op wants to boost Denison, but they just aren’t pulling from the same pools of kids.