A few days ago, I finally submitted my deposit to Drew University, a university in my state about an hour away from home (which I am not sure whether I like or not). While Drew is not a prestigious college, they did give me a bunch of honours and there is one professor there that I love. While I like Drew and was excited to attend in the fall, I found out today that I got into Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences off of the waitlist, which was one of my top choices. Aside from the obvious difference in prestige (which I don’t care about at all), I’m totally unsure of what decision to make. To preface, I am interested in majoring in History and Classics with some sort of focus on book studies and art history, am a 100% Type-A overachiever-type student, and NEED to go to/be able to afford graduate school. In addition, my father is going through chemo, so my family is in a tight spot financially. Here’s what each institution gave me:
Drew University
-$37,000/year total in grants and scholarships out of a total $58,750/year, coming out to $21,250/year
-Baldwin Honors Scholar Program, Civic Scholars Program, and Leadership Institute Housing
-The opportunity to take graduate-level classes as an undergraduate
-Extremely helpful and eager professors (including a world-renowned expert in my desired field)
-Less elitist, laid-back atmosphere (essentially, I could be the “it” kid here if I wanted to) with a less intensive workload
-Mountains of internship opportunities and the chance to work in an on-campus archives/special collections centre
-Average starting salary of $50,800 four years after graduation
Oberlin College
-$64,498/year total in grants and scholarships out of a total $73,644/year, coming out to $9,146/year
-Driven, intellectually challenging atmosphere
-Heavy workload (which will keep me busy)
-Amazing location with the right niche for a weirdo like me
-Average starting salary of $40,700 four years after graduation
-More prestige and higher graduate school acceptance rates
-Really cool extracurriculars
-Slightly more (about 1,200 more) students total
-Musical opportunities everywhere
Any input would be appreciated.
$12k less a year for Oberlin seems like a no-brainer, if you have no strong feelings either way.
Classics at Drew is far too understaffed to be a viable department. As far as I can tell from the course listings, Greek hasn’t been offered since the 2014/15 school year.
Drew being more than twice as expensive makes Oberlin an obvious choice, I think.
Oberlin with the better package would be my pick unless your dad’s illness makes you want to stay close to home.
@warblersrule The only concern I have with the Classics department at Oberlin is that I have heard that it is congruent with other worrying things I’ve heard about Oberlin’s atmosphere (it’s beyond elitist, so liberal that you can get doxxed for being anything but a staunch Democrat, the workload is obscene and not even worth it, etc.), which I fear might be amplified in a smaller classroom setting. Though I suppose I shouldn’t believe all of the rumours?
You can talk to Drew and see if they can match Oberlin. Possibly bring it up to that professor too.
If money is tight, the answer is clear. $12/year is a lot. What I see as the big factor is that Drew is much closer to home and you have a parent with health issues.
Oberlin is a more competitive school than Drew, yes. It would give an outstanding base for grad school.
Oberlin, hands down, for better academics and cheaper cost.
@SquiddyDiddy Have you visited Oberlin? The academics are rigorous (but the workload is not obscene). Claims of excessive elitism and extreme political liberalism are exaggerated in my opinion. My kid goes there and she has a pretty healthy work/life balance. She and her friends are down to earth people who respect a variety of opinions. History and Classics are both strong and Oberlin has an extremely good graduate school placement record.
If you have time, take a look at the student blogs and they will give you a sense of the range of kinds of students you are likely to encounter. There are plenty of non-conformists and quirky/nerdy types but also more mainstream personalities, students who play sports, who are more pre-professional, serious musicians at the conservatory, etc.
The art museum at Oberlin is one of the best college art museums in the country. Cleveland’s art museum is also one of the best in the country and admission is free. If you take art history classes at Oberlin, you will likely be doing field trips to these collections.
Especially given the fact that it is much less expensive, I would choose Oberlin.
Good luck with your decision and let us know what you choose.
I’d say Oberlin seems like the obvious choice. I did see your comment about musical opportunities everywhere - there aren’t too many opportunities for those not in the conservatory to participate. Obviously lots of concerts to attend, of course.
Oberlin has recently announced plans to reduce the number of conservatory students it takes and in conjunction with that, to offer more music opportunities for non-conservatory students.
Also, I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on average salary. Those figures are partially based on considerations that can skew the average or might not apply to your situation - average starting salaries will vary by major so a difference in courses of study between the student bodies can have an impact, region can have an impact as well since many Drew students likely stay in the NYC metroplex where cost of living is higher.
I thought this was going the direction that these threads usually go, i.e. it’s going to cost me $40,000 more to get the more prestigious degree, is it worth it? Instead you get the better degree for $40,000 less. Seems like an easy decision to me.
I would ignore starting salaries, that’s mostly dependent on what students do as a first job or grad school when they graduate. It’s almost impossible to do an apples to apples comparison.
The X factor is if you feel like you need to be closer to your dad. That’s a tough call and only you can make it. I will tell you that if you were my kid I would tell you that if you don’t mail the deposit check to Oberlin I will. But if I was in your shoes it would be a tougher call. How do your parents feel about it?
Oberlin sounds like a very good fit and the more affordable option. What a great opportunity to get off the wait list and with $$! Have you talked this choice through with your parents? Your dad’s treatment is the only real plus for attending Drew… but that’s not nothing. Congratulations and good luck
Oberlin hands down, echoing @doschicos. Can’t really compare those 2 schools. Oberlin is a top LAC and you are getting it at a cheaper price.
@dadof4kids My parents are trying to sway me to go to Oberlin because they know it was my top choice and feel like I’d be “settling” if I went to Drew, which is weird because they fell in love when they were both studying at Drew in the 80s, so I expected them to want me to carry on the family legacy.
@SqiddyDiddy My son had to make the same choice about going away for college or staying close to home while his Dad battled cancer. We encouraged him to choose the school that was best for him, he will graduate from a far away hard to get to school this fall. The distance can be hard but you will have easier access to airports and more money for flights home with your savings at Oberlin.
One true blessing of our son going away during my husband’s treatments was that he could some what remove himself from the day to day roller coaster of cancer. There have been times when my husband was very sick and made sudden improvements and times when he was doing well and took sudden turns for the worst. It would have been very hard for our son to study and focus on school if he knew the day to day issues (it was his choice not to, his older brother wanted to know everything and almost failed out, he changed his mind after that semester and did graduate). My sons experiences in college away from home brought much joy to our home during otherwise trying times.
Of course this is a personal decision for every family, but Oberlin was your 1st choice, it’s cheaper and your parents will be so happy for you to have this opportunity. Positive thoughts for your Dad’s health.
If my kid had a chance to go to a top choice school and then changed to my much closer alma mater (which wife and I loved) for more money I would be disappointed and feel hugely guilty. I know everyone is different, but it sounds like your parents and I view it the same way. You have a wonderful opportunity and their blessing. Go for it!
You prob have a gut feeling about this that you should listed to. If you feel you would be too far at Oberlin, pick Drew. It won’t be easy to come home at the drop of a hat. I have a kid in Ohio and we are NJ and he only comes home for holidays and summer. He likes it and he has a great scholarship . Just a bit of a hassle with the distance. Though if it’s that much cheaper, the cost savings could pay for the travel costs and more, though it’s not easy to get them away for travel. So choose where you would really like to study and what would be the best fit for you.
As a dad and former son in the same situation as you, I can offer you my perspective.
I would want my son to be at the best school and experience for his life and his future. That would make me happier in the face of the treatment. I would want to hear the great stories and things happening. But to give away their dream for my illness would make things worse for me. Also you can’t help anymore if you are next door or a plane ride away. Skype and texting. And hopefully all goes well and you’ll see other on the normal breaks.
My dad wanted me to go away. And he also supported me when I took a position in Copenhagen when things weren’t going well. He lived for the stories and opportunities we discussed.
Drew may have been the right decision for your parents, but they recognize that you are your own individual with your own life to live and they want you to make the right choice for you.
That said, I don’t envy your decision. If it’s possible, sit down and think about where you would want to go if finances were not a factor and if your father were not sick. If that’s still Oberlin, then you should go to Oberlin.
“My parents are trying to sway me to go to Oberlin because they know it was my top choice and feel like I’d be “settling” if I went to Drew.”
So why is it no longer your top choice? What is holding you back, especially given the fact that it’s significantly cheaper and your parents also are urging you to go?