<p>I know this has been asked before but my d has the impression that Oberlin is super alternative - she is a very liberal east coast city kid but doesn't want to feel that she is somewhere that feels relentlessly alternative where everyone has the same opinions. In all other ways Oberlin is a great fit for her and a real change - small midwestern vs. urban NE. She is visiting soon and there won't be a lot of students on campus but we can't swing it during the school year.</p>
<p>She will have the chance to meet some students when she visits, and she should seize the opportunity. Another way to sample what the students are like is to follow the blogs at Oberlin</a> - Obie Blogs. It's hard to know what "super alternative" means to you, so it's hard to answer the question very precisely. But it's certainly not the case that everyone has the same opinions: Oberlin students love to think independently and to learn from each other. There's huge diversity of experiences and backgrounds.</p>
<p>I think she means people who are trying too hard to be "different" and creating a new kind of homogeny, this is an issue she has ahad a bit at her small high school. I think she just wants a sense that college will broaden her social life not repeat the one she had in high school.</p>
<p>My son just finished his sophmore year. I have been on the campus several times and have heard him talk about his experience. I don't think the campus is way alternative. Students are definitely liberal, some overly so, but there is College Republicans group. It is very small, but it is there. I don't see tons of kids with pink hair or way out there clothing. Oberlin is challenging academically and students need to be pretty focused on classes. There are a wide variety of activities and students seem to be pretty accepting of many things. It is not my impression that too many kids are busy being alternative for the sake of being alternative.</p>
<p>There are a lot of "alternative" events at Oberlin - Bike Derby, midnight Organ concerts, taiko drumming on sunday mornings, cooking and cleaning as social events (crew at co-ops), fire spinning. But those things aren't because Obies are trying to be different, it's because they look to do new things.
It is an alternative campus, but it feels authentic. Oberlin also has 3,000 students, who all have different ideas, plans and dreams -- it doesn't feel stifling, or fake.</p>
<p>She is going to visit next weekend so we'll see! She actually loves to cook - something she was regretting loosing the chance to do so that's definitely a good tip.</p>
<p>Cool! About a fourth of the school eat in student co-ops, which are all about communal cooking. I don't think there's so much going on in Oberlin during summer weekends- ie. Admissions isn't open.</p>
<p>Actually she is visiting on the Monday which seems to be some kind of admissions day so while it won;t be too active she'll get the tour and info session.</p>
<p>D loved Oberlin - I think she was really surprised by how much more she liked it in person. Really liked her interviewer and tour so will be applying. She wont be able to visit again unless she is admitted though to see campus during school year. Do you think being from NE is any advantage in the applicant pool?</p>
<p>I'm really glad! It's so gorgeous in the summer...</p>
<p>Is NE New England or Nebraska?</p>
<p>If NE = northeast, there are lots of students at Oberlin from NY and thereabouts, and also from California -- so lots of bicoastal representation.
I don't know if being from any particular geographical location is an advantage in the application process, but certainly an informed interest in Oberlin after a visit would make for a strong "Why Oberlin" essay, which is apparently an important part of the admission process. They are no doubt favorable toward students who want to be at Oberlin because it is Oberlin -- do some research on the web about Oberlin's history, and get an idea of why they came up with the slogan "fearless" (and why it has been controversial).<br>
On the "alternative" point, my impression from visits and input from my kid there is that there is a broad mix of students, mostly tolerant and open-minded.</p>
<p>NE in our case is Massachusetts. Thanks for the essay advice - I'll have her look into it. She also really liked the coop system and the science programs and apparent ability of non theater majors to act in plays. We also have friends whose d graduated 3 years ago so she may meet with her.</p>