<p>So I have narrowed my choices down to these two schools...does anyone have any suggestions/musings?</p>
<p>Just a few things about me:</p>
<p>-I currently attend an arts high school for music (pianist, singer/songwriter)
-I plan on being a math major (no conservatory)--NU has a terrific math program
-I am attracted to the relatively small size of Oberlin's student body, while I am attracted to the location of Northwestern
-Not so keen about frats...
-I like the liberal/politically active reputation that Oberlin seems to have</p>
<p>Any suggestions? Are there any major drawbacks to either school that I should be aware of? After all, I've basically only researched the colleges online, although I will be visiting both (NU for the second time) in April.</p>
<p>I think you’ll be able to sense the considerable differences between them, and to figure out which one would fit your needs better, from visiting them. For a preview, you should spend some time at the [Oberlin</a> Blogs](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/) if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>Living off campus at Northwestern (after freshman year) will be insanely expensive compared to Oberlin. Remember, Northwestern is in expensive “Chicagoland.” That said, I personlly would prefer the city of Chicago over the city of Cleveland, the nearest big city to Oberlin. Your taste may differ. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum is in Cleveland, not Chicago or New Orleans, so that’s something.</p>
<p>Northwestern is probably a tad colder weatherwise, and I believe has a Greek system. Oberlin does not have frats which I think is a good thing and in Oberlin’s favor. I don’t think Northwestern is a hotbed of conservatism but Oberlin is definitely more liberal. </p>
<p>Try to visit both schools before making a decision. They are probably one day’s drive apart, perhaps 8 hours or thereabouts. I don’t advise a student picking a school that he/she has never visited.</p>
<p>The student bodies at these two places seem to me somewhat different types, predominantly.</p>
<p>Location, size, “Big 10”, frats, etc, are obvious.</p>
<p>Oberlin’s math department was good, in D1s experience. But tough. Obviously they will not have the breadth and depth of offerings Northwestern offers. And on-campus recruiting is not likely to be a major selling point, relatively speaking.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you will know your professors at Oberlin. Sort of the generic LAC vs. university trade-offs, which can cut either way.</p>
<p>For some reason, D1s friends who attended Northwestern did not really like the atmosphere there, citing cut-throat and unfriendly fellow students. But that’s just the impressions of a few people.</p>