<p>I applied to a number of liberal arts colleges, but these three have become my top choices. I haven't visited any of them, and as May 1 approaches I'm getting pretty nervous regarding which one I'll choose. I only have time to visit two, so I need to get some accurate information on the three, especially in comparison to each other. To put myself in context: I am a quirky, arty intellectual interested in the humanities/social sciences. </p>
<p>I researched all three schools pretty extensively, and different aspects of each appeal to me. I love how academically intense Haverford is, but I don't love the nerdy naivete it seems a lot of the students possess, nor do I know how I'd handle the small size of the school. I am really interested in how strong the arts are at Oberlin, but I'm worried about the supposed "different for the sake of being different" air of the student body, and I've also heard some negative remarks regarding the caliber of Oberlin's academics (though I've also heard some great things, so I'm not sure what to believe). Macalester's city location and warm student body appeal to me, but it seems like their academics are below-par in comparison to the other two colleges. I eventually want to go to grad school, and both Haverford and Oberlin have high grad school acceptance rates. </p>
<p>I know this decision ultimately comes down to my own, wholly subjective experience on the campus, in the classes, and with the students of each college. Nevertheless, any help with this ridiculously hard choice would be fantastic. Thanks!</p>
<p>(Cross-posted on both Haverford and Macalester Forums)</p>
<p>I’m visiting Oberlin next weekend, and I dont have much experience with Macalester, but I can tell you my opinion about Haverford.</p>
<p>When I visited I found the small size of the campus and student body to be a bit constricting. Not that it seemed small minded, but I just felt myself wanting more and thinking that I wouldn’t be able to have as many opportunities there. It’s a pretty campus, and I liked their emphasis on the idea of collaboration between students rather than competition though. The students didn’t really suprise me in any way, they just seemed like average college kids, not too crazy, not too reserved - very temperate. Which could be a good thing depending on what you want. I describe myself in the same way (quirky, artsy, and intellectual), and I also have a big desire to expand my mind and thinking (I’m looking to study Psychology, Philosophy, and English) and I just didn’t feel that Haverford could give me everything that I wanted.</p>
<p>Oberlin sounds really great on paper, and i’m really looking forward to seeing it. The choice is of course yours to make, but I personally wouldn’t recommend visiting Haverford.</p>
<p>You should have no doubts about the caliber of Oberlin’s academics. They are excellent. That’s why so many Oberlin students go on to grad school. But it is also why so many Oberlin students are excited about their education while they are there.<br>
You should visit if you can, because these schools may have quite different feels.</p>
<p>I didn’t get much “arty quirky” from Haverford, just regular type people, a bit jocky which D didn’t like. Nice. Doesn’t sound so much like you, relatively, from #1. It’s really small, functionally bigger via Bryn Mawr, but still. The people we met there were whining quite a bit about how much work they had.
And obsessing about their honor code, which just seemed odd.</p>
<p>Oberlin sounds like a match , but you need to evaluate for that “different for the sake of being different” thing, see if you like it. I don’t see macalester kids being described much differently though. Your concern about the academics is wrong.</p>
<p>D1 picked Oberlin over Macalester (didn’t even apply to Haverford). Mac has the city going for it, that’s something to consider, from both positive and negative aspects. She thought it was a good school, but Oberlin was yet better. Whether she was right I don’t know. Minnesota is really cold.</p>
<p>My son graduated from Oberlin last year, and I can assure you that the academics are top-notch. He had such a rich educational experience there, and was truly challenged on an intellectual level every day. He’s now got a fabulous job, thank to the help of one of his professors from Oberlin.
I’m sure that you can get a great education at any of the three schools mentioned. You really need to figure out what’s the best fit. My son dismissed Haveford as “too jocky” and was turned off by the self-conscious focus on the “honor code,” which seems no different from the ethics most people share. Macalster was his second choice, and I suspect he would have been quite happy there.
But he truly loved Oberlin.</p>
<p>Oberlin’s academics are fantastic, no question, and you will definitely fit in here as a quirky, artsy intellectual. I propose you visit Oberlin and Macalester, because those seem like they would fit your personality best.</p>
<p>As of this minute, 35 people have viewed your post on the Haverford board and you received zero responses. 30 people have viewed your post on the Macalester board. Again, zero responses. You’ve received several responses on THIS board. I think your choice is easy. :)</p>
<p>A family friend is at Oberlin-loves it. She is very smart, loves the arts, and a talented musician.She likes the small, close community.
We visited Mac this fall-have had family friends attend-and also loved the energy and great community feel of the campus, plus the advantage of the Twin Cities with all its arts, theater, sports and night life right there. Minnesotans do not let cold weather keep them from enjoying city life or the outdoors.It’s a lively place.
All 3 schools would have excellent academics.Nothing to worry about there.</p>
<p>Oberlin also has an honor code, and all papers, etc. require students to say they are adhering to it; it is a serious deal, but I don’t think it is discussed much. It really amounts to: don’t plagiarize; don’t cheat on exams or papers. I have heard that at Haverford it is a more of an issue of discussion -with meetings about it for freshmen, etc. - perhaps because of its heritage as a Quaker school. It shouldn’t really make or break your decision.</p>
<p>Of the two schools, both Oberlin and Mac have a strong commitment to the arts. Haverford is not known for having an art focus. And, what type of art are you interested in? At Oberlin and Mac you can take theater, visual arts and music on one campus. At Haverford, you would need to take your theater courses at Bryn Mawr. And, Haverford’s visual arts program is very small. You are fortunate to have such wonderful choices. Visit! Trust your instincts.</p>
<p>I would not base your decision on how many responses you get on each forum! These threads are populated primarily by parents. </p>
<p>FWIW, my kids sat in on a class at Macalester and were incredibly impressed. The classes were small and students were highly engaged. Mac has the advantage of proximity to a city. If you’re interested in theater, the Twin Cities is a wonderful place to be! </p>
<p>My kids also loved Oberlin. I made a point of looking around at the kids to see how they were dressed. I expected most people dressed in an “out there” way, but it really seemed like a place where you could be comfortable being whoever you were – if you want to make a statement with your clothes, that’s fine, but if you don’t, that’s fine, too. </p>
<p>I have twins who are very different people and both of them would have been very happy at either Mac or Oberlin!</p>
<p>I would not worry now about grad school, but would base it on the environment you want for the next four years. If you do well, the options for further education shouldn’t be much different no matter which of these fine schools you pick!</p>
<p>I’m an Oberlin student and will just chime in to a few things already mentioned here. I feel like the academics here are great and students really challenge themselves to think. I don’t think there is a particular sense here of being “different just to be different.” It’s really more that everyone feels comfortable to be themselves and that they don’t necessarily have to fit in to a certain classification like “hippy” or “jock.”<br>
I have friends at both the other schools and while we don’t keep in touch so much any more, it seems like they’re really enjoying their experiences at their respective schools as well. But I guess to reflect on your perceived differences - I’m quite happy with the size of Oberlin and think that it is intimate without being overly so. I’m not sure if I would like a school much smaller (this is just a personal choice though). Also, there are definitely times I wish that Oberlin were in a city just to get off of campus and have access to some different events and opportunities, but there are some nice things about the pace of life and feeling of security here as well. Good luck with your decision!</p>