Deciding between top Ivies and Oberlin

<p>I've had the good fortune to be accepted to Yale and Princeton as well as the Oberlin double-degree program for percussion. My decision is basically coming down between Yale and Oberlin as I'm not sure that I fit in too well at Princeton. I think that the music is definitely stronger at Oberlin with a great teacher and conservatory but that Yale has more academic options and stronger traditions like the residential college system etc. (and, of course, that whole name-recognition thing.) Both have reasonable aid packages although Yale's is significantly easier to handle.
Has anyone here turned down Ivies to go to Oberlin or considered doing so? Did you find the academics at Oberlin fulfilling? Regret your decision? I'd appreciate some help and other perspectives as I make my final decision this week....
Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Um, well, I'm not sure if it helps, but I turned down UCLA for Oberlin.</p>

<p>You are not alone in this. My kid is making a similar decision (Harvard/Princeton/Juilliard) and will probably choose Oberlin for the double degree program -- the academic environment is strong at Oberlin; I don't think you would have any regrets on that account. Oberlin is outstanding in the rate of students going on to graduate school. And the Conservatory is vibrant and seems far more well-rounded than Juilliard. It also looks doable -- there are lots of students doing it (unlike Peabody/JHU, for example) and everything is in the same place -- students live in the same dorms, so the programs are well integrated. The Ivy's have some great musicians but the music there is not preprofessional, nor does it purport to be. Good luck making your decision!</p>

<p>Unfortunately there's a dearth of current students posting ot this sub-forum.
FWIW, my daughter had very high stats; has been challenged at Oberlin.</p>

<p>Here's some other recent threads that my be useful:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=323163%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=323163&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=330791%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=330791&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I truly can't imagine that you would find going to Oberlin to be less challenging than going to Yale. Both schools are excellent.</p>

<p>Two other things to consider: The professors at Oberlin are committed to undergrads in a way that those at Yale may not be. And secondly: If your financial aid award is a deciding issue, you might consider calling Oberlin to see if they're willing to match Yale's offer.</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

<p>From a current Oberlin student:
I know a girl who turned down Harvard for Oberlin - she has expressed many times what a good decision she made.
I think - if you want to seriously pursue music - Oberlin might be the right choice for you. The conservatory is amazing and the double degree program allows students to really explore every option.</p>