<p>If I had to remove several schools, they probably would come first from Goucher, Ursinus, Emerson, and Clark. That’s not because I don’t like the CTCLs. If you then want to add back another CTCL school, consider Lawrence University (which, like Oberlin, has a music conservatory). </p>
<p>I agree with HM1 that having one or a few well-developed ECs is preferable to a long laundry list of unfocused activities. Those are excellent stats, so it should not be necessary to include so many admission safeties (or near-safeties) … as long as you have at least one true admission and financial safety. </p>
<p>You may want to look at a few other LACs that are just a bit less selective than Oberlin. Check out the music scene at Colorado College, Macalester, or maybe Reed. Another school to consider is Kenyon (for the quality of its English and Creative Writing programs). </p>
<p>At the reach end, check out the music scene at Wesleyan (possibly as an alternative to Amherst).</p>