<p>Hi, I'm an RD applicant and Oberlin is one of my top, top choices. The only hesitation I have is the location. I've heard from plenty of students who say that the middle-of-nowhere aspect is overshadowed by all the events and activity going on on campus. As someone who has grown up in cities my whole life, I'm wondering if there are any current students who DO feel unsatisfied/isolated because of the location combined with the size of the school. My love for Oberlin is most likely more important than my love for cities, but I'm still a little nervous...</p>
<p>Dad of recent graduate, in the end kid did have some issues with isolation, in the last year or two once campus life got a bit old. Helped to be able to get off campus now and then. Public transportation into Cleveland is possible on a weekend, but realistically takes 1.5 hours to get anyplace you want to go, and the return bus schedule seemed to be an issue. Much better with a car, then Cleveland is 40 minutes or so away. And there are other, much closer, places to go, just to get out for a movie, etc. Also, helps to take a semester, or longer, abroad; IMO that's why this option is so common at many LACs.</p>
<p>There are relative weak and strong points of every college, and in this case location is clearly not the main selling point. On the other hand, the same is true for a number of other similar colleges, if not most of them. At least Oberlin has : relatively a ton to do on campus, a large (for LAC) population of fellow students in the same boat and hence highly motivated to find things to do for themselves, a nice (small) town right there, and decent proximity to a city, by car.</p>
<p>Again, I feel that this is a generic issue with a good number of LACs, not relegated specifically to Oberlin. In fact, Oberlin's situation in this regard is probably better than quite a few others.</p>
<p>Some city schools have the opposite problem. People just fritter away into the city, and then there is virtually no campus life whatsoever. You don't even really feel that you're part of a community of college students. Just an isolated individual living in the city going to a class now and then.</p>
<p>There are trade-offs, pick your poison.</p>
<p>I visited Oberlin back in November, and while it is definitely not in a city center, I don't consider it isolated or remote at all. I live in a city of about one million people, and I tend to prefer larger places, but I was fine in Oberlin.</p>
<p>It takes about 45 minutes to get from Oberlin to downtown Cleveland, according to google maps, and thats close to how long it took me when I visted (we stayed in town because we played in Cleveland that evening). That may seem like a lot to someone who lives in a city, but consider two things:</p>
<p>1.) LOTS of people commute 45 minutes both ways twice everyday. Some it takes that long because of traffic, while others live in exurban communities.</p>
<p>2.) In a city like, Atlanta for example, it can take 45 minutes to get downtown from a suburb even during a non-rush hour. If you time your trip well (e.g. not going to eight on Monday morning), you won't have too many traffic problems in Cleveland. </p>
<p>I know both of these assume you'll have a car, and assume you want to head into Cleveland to do something that ehm, doesn't affect you ability to drive back to Oberlin. Chances are, you or a friend will have a car you can use, and if you need a DD, then I'll offer myself, being a good teetotaler. ;-p</p>
<p>So, don't think Oberlin is in the utter middle of nowhere.... that honor totally goes to Kenyon.</p>
<p>Thanks, both of you! This was very helpful. If I get in, I'll hopefully get a chance to visit, but it's always hard to tell what it will be like to live somewhere for four years. If anyone else has any extra insight, please let me know.</p>
<p>And, yes, I actually did a writing program last summer at Kenyon. It was slightly surprising to find that the term "town" actually refers to the campus, and pretty much consists of a gas station, a cafe, and a post office. Haha.</p>
<p>In fairness to Gambier, Mt. Vernon is very close, and to me it contains the basics needed for comfortable survival: a Kroger, a Cineplex, and a Starbucks (though I avoid Starbucks in favor of a local organic coffee shop).</p>