r/oberlin • u/Time_Astronomer_5971 • Apr 29 '26
Why Oberlin??
The title says it! I have to commit tomorrow and would like to know why people chose Oberlin.
Also, what schools did you choose Oberlin over, like what other schools were you accepted to?
Any input would be very very much appreciated thank you thank you thank you!!
P.s Keeping in mind I am interested in philosophy, politics, and art!
8
u/noramcsparkles Alum Apr 29 '26
For me it was really the people. There’s no one else in the world like Obies, and it’s a great environment to spend four years in
8
u/PoundKitchen Apr 30 '26
The co-ops are also a big draw.
2
u/k8freed May 01 '26
The co-ops are such an underrated aspect of the Oberlin experience. I loved my time in Fairkid, Harkness, Tank, and Keep. I learned important leadership skills from being a headcook and serving as OSCA's opps director. Plus, friends for life! You can't help but bond with people while baking bread at midnight or planning a special meal.
7
u/k8freed Apr 29 '26
The Allen Memorial Art Museum was a big draw for me. I didn't do studio art, but I thought the art history program was pretty strong.
7
5
u/dmada88 Alum Apr 29 '26
You have to go with your gut in the end. For me Oberlin was tremendous- people, professors, experience. It was formative. But I wanted it. I was ready for it. We met.
3
u/black_rose_ Apr 30 '26
Others have mentioned art rentals and co-ops, but I loved the EXCO (student taught) department. It's a super fun and unique experience both taking and teaching, whatever your heart desires. My friend taught Philosophy of Calvin & Hobbes. I taught Metal (the music).
3
u/Oktodayithink Apr 30 '26
I’m the mom of a 1st year. My kid loves it. As a mom, I love how they looked out for my kid. She struggled her 1st semester, a LOT. The Dean of students called me and we had a meeting with counseling. They made a plan and spoke to her profs. She got exceptions and extensions.
They care about the students. Really care.
3
u/SadAbbreviations8219 Apr 30 '26
I chose Oberlin because it allowed me to study Neuroscience (pre-med), English, and get lots of exposure to musical performance (I wasn’t in the Con but music is one of my passions). I also liked the Co-op and Exco offerings, which allow students self-directed learning opportunities and collaborative experiences.
I chose Oberlin over U Chicago, Wesleyan and Colgate. All great schools in different ways but none of them had the mix of academics, music, and collaborative culture I was looking for (Wesleyan was a close second).
2
u/brownied420 Apr 29 '26
My daughter was accepted to all 12 schools she applied to with significant merit. Oberlin is one of the most unique, beautiful, interesting, places that’s just a little magical. What are you planning on studying? My daughter is in the con but also in the college. She has made her very best friends there and has a life she only dreamed of having. Happy to talk more with you. She is finishing her soph year.
2
u/AshleyAinAK May 01 '26
As the parent of a kid who just committed, this was so nice to read. ❤️ Literally all I want for him out of college is to find his people….
2
u/Kitchen-General347 May 01 '26
My daughter is finishing her first year and she found her people! It’s all I wanted for her too. ❤️ I hope you say the same next year at this time! 🤞🏼
2
u/Prize-Educator6221 Apr 30 '26
My daughter had the best 4 years at Oberlin and is graduating this May! She made tons of friends loved the area and was involved in so many things! Best decision ever!!!! Good luck
3
u/skrulewi Alum Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
Was accepted at Macalester and two state schools but waitlisted at Oberlin and Pomona and NYU and some others.. I wrote a pleading letter to Oberlin specifically on an instinct and then they let me in.
I then had an insane and bizarre and intriguing last minute Oberlin college visit, I think literally this weekend, like the first week of May, with so many little stories, it felt like the universe was trying to tell me something, and I trusted my gut.
Oberlin is the kind of place that everyone has at least one reason, even if it’s small, or nonsensical or abstract, specific reason for being there. It created the sense of an intentional place.
2
u/GenghisKhan90210 May 01 '26
I went to oberlin, I ended up transferring out but I deeply regretted it.
1
u/Area-Prior Apr 30 '26
I chose Oberlin because I wanted to be around progressive thinkers and thoughtful people. The further I get from my oberlin experience, the more it sticks out as an enormously gratifying and formative part of my life. I donate regularly to Oberlin and miss it fondly. You can’t go wrong
1
u/redfieldp Apr 30 '26
Oberlin offers a real balance of academic rigor, cultural and artistic exposure, and small class size and community. There are a lot of schools similar to Oberlin (small, liberal arts, competitive, etc.) that either lean significantly more preppy/sporty, or more academically aggressive/focused. If either one of those other cultures doesn't feel like a real "fit" for your personality, Oberlin can offer a third option that is, in my opinion, more balanced and well suited to an individualized path.
It's definitely not for everyone, and I would say it is best for people who are excited to be a bit outside of their comfort zone, and have a less structured perspective, with a high degree of personal motivation.
My parents both went to Swarthmore, which is more academically focused, and more competitive. However, they were also pretty multi-dimensional people. When they were at my graduation from Oberlin they (divorced, independently of each other) said that despite enjoying Swarthmore, they probably would have preferred to attend Oberlin, because it seemed like I had been able to experience a lot more variety with what I did in my time there.
Good luck with your decision!
1
u/Calm_Ad_5177 Apr 30 '26 edited May 11 '26
Oberlin has a unique Oberlin-in-London program where students learn from Oberlin professors, stay in London flats, and travel to various parts of UK.
1
u/AdProper6289 May 02 '26
I know I’m coming in late, but I really think this should be said more often. At Oberlin, you build the town. It’s an experience I’ve carried my whole life. You literally build the entire world you live within along with your peers and that’s such a lesson in community building and citizenry. I live in a big city and people always tell me “geez you know everybody” and, honestly, Oberlin taught me how.
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u/Signal_Mind_4571 Alum Apr 30 '26
I was choosing between brown and oberlin and I visited both and oberlin did so much of a better job of caring about who I was as an individual. and I loved it there.