<p>Hi well i recieved my early decision accpetance letter yesterday and was thrilled. I really wanted to get into Oberlin because it was the best school on my list. There are many strongpoints about oberlin that really intrigue me such as the intamcay level with the teachers. But the one thing that has really been bothering me is the fact that Oberlin's student body seems to have high concentrations of artsy or alternative kids. Dont get me wrong one of my best frineds i guess would be classified as "artsy" and there is nothing wrong with that. But i dont want to attend a school where the whole student body is one way (skinny jeans and top hats- i know thats a broad generalization, just trying to sound more clear). Once again im not trying to offend anyone i just want to get the facts straight on how diverse Oberlin really is ???</p>
<p>Agree with SDonCC: it’s a bit shocking that you’re asking this question now. But if you want to get a sense of the diversity of Oberlin students, the best source is the blogs:[Oberlin</a> Blogs](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/).</p>
<p>I applied early decision to oberlin because of the strongpoints that the college featured. And even if what people have been telling me about how the student body is entirely composed of “alternative” students is true oberlin is still number one on my list because of various other reasons. So how atypical is this student body compared to a studentbody in a college such as colgate or trininty?</p>
<p>I have students at Oberlin and Colgate. They are VERY different student bodies, but both have great, unique kids. Colgate is VERY preppy compared to Oberlin. Oberlin kids are individuals, but they’re not all “alternative by any stretch.”</p>
<p>Oberlin is bigger than most liberal arts colleges, and has considerable diversity. There are certainly lots of artsy people, but also lots of science types.</p>
<p>The political spectrum is wide at Oberlin. For perspective, read about 3 of my classmates (I graduated in l972) and their professional work since those heady days. Look up on Wiki:</p>
<p>Richard Haass
Jeremy Pikser
Jan Ting</p>
<p>I won’t spoil the endings. Just read about them. When they were in their 20’s they all looked pretty much alike to the outsider: bluejeans, long hair, and a book clutched under their wrist for quick reading while waiting for food.</p>
<p>To monydad: **** i dont have an emotional condition. Get a life over 3000 posts on a lame college website that is mainly composed of sedentary parents who have nothing better to do then compare colleges. I knew what to expect when i applied ed and i am thrilled that i got accepted. I wasnt able to visit the campus, im sorry i have to go to school and work a job that leaves me exhausted at the end of hte day and dont have time to become obssessed whith pixels on a screen. I am just asking a very basic question and everyone needs to get off of their high horse and give me a useful answer that will show me to some extent HOW ATYPICAL IS OBERLINS STUDENT BODY COMPARED TO OTHER SMALL LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOLS??</p>
<p>Good, nothing much more to say then, is there. You have binding ED, be sure to come back & let everyone here know what you have determined the answer to your question is, after you’ve been there for a while.</p>
<p>One thing about Oberlin students - whether typical or not - is that they are generally very nice, tolerant, respectful kids, who don’t lash out at knowledgeable adults trying to be helpful. If you don’t see yourself comfortable hanging around with students like that…maybe you should think twice about Oberlin.</p>
<p>When I was applying to colleges, I was really skeptical of liberal arts colleges. I really don’t like group-think, or places where everyone thinks the same. And Oberlin’s (happily) not like that. While I think there are some nerdy things many of us share, a lot of those are a function of us all being smart folks in the same age group.</p>
<p>More specifically: is everyone an artsy hipster? No. Thank goodness, no. I’ve had some epic conversations about indie bands and obscure book, but… nah. As a group, Obies are friendly, funny, passionate and intelligent. And from there, things vary. There are a lot of different “types” that you can pick out on campus: the science majors, the conservatory folks, the art majors… but there’s a lot who you can’t. Everyone dresses and acts differently. Well, we do dress less… preppy. There’s a lot of jeans and tees. There’s not a lot of outright brand names or designer labels. The kid wearing the lacoste shirt? He probably got it from the Big Swap or the Free Store.</p>
<p>Atypical things, compared to other LACs? We’re not competitive. We really, really like music (all kinds). We care about politics (at times). Sustainability is a big deal. We like cooking. Everyone cares about something.</p>
<p>I’m a '82 grad of Oberlin - and this is specific to my time there and may not be true today…to fit in at Oberlin in the college (the conservatory is quite serious preprofessional, more conservative) you had to be quirky in some respect, and passionate about discussing your academic subjects or your “issue”. You can spend a weekend there, stay in a dorm. People will be very open to discussing whether you would fit there or not. It is not for everyone. Really. If you want to be an academic, it’s excellent prep and will get you into a great grad school. Excellent in the sciences also. Very little attention was given to preparing for the real world of working, resume prep, etc. since alot (and I mean most) were going straight into grad school.</p>
<p>Amanda, some aspects of Oberlin are the same as they were 15 years ago, but others are different. For one thing, virtually no Oberlin students are going straight into grad school these days. With few exceptions, most are taking time off to volunteer, work, travel, or otherwise gain life experience before going on to graduate or professional programs.</p>
<p>Moreover there are now several programs at Oberlin that encourage and foster entrepreneurship - there are even some Oberlin students who might want to be investment bankers! And being the type of person who might go to grad school doesn’t necessarily mean that you are quirky or “passionate” in a quirky way or that you talk about it all the time. Nor are conservatory students necessarily conservative…</p>