<p>The essay asks-"Please write a brief statement that addresses the following: Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years."</p>
<p>Does this translate into a 'Why Oberlin' essay or is it asking for something more?</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a “why Oberlin” essay, but it wants you to expressly address what specifically Oberlin can contribute to you, given your “interests, values and goals.” You should echo their terminology.</p>
<p>bump10 char…a few more views?</p>
<p>Purple, is there a direction you want to go in this essay that you’re unsure fits the directions?</p>
<p>I think about it as a venn diagram where you’d like the middle section to be a bit larger. What is Oberlin about? What are you about? Where is there shared turf, and where would you like there to be more shared turf? What can you add to Oberlin and what can Oberlin add to you?</p>
<p>Suggestion: Read some of the Oberlin Stories and the Oberlin Blogs. Stories are more big-picture of “What is Oberlin,” the blogs are more dynamic.
[Oberlin</a> Stories](<a href=“http://stories.oberlin.edu/]Oberlin”>http://stories.oberlin.edu/)
[Oberlin</a> Blogs](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/)</p>
<p>Also, think about what you can bring to Oberlin. Are you, say, a fantastic accordion player and want to add that to jazz combos? Do you organize a community service group and want to tie in your current interests with IYS or the Bonner Center for Service and Learning? Are you a pastry chef and/or a chemist and realized that having full access to industrial kitchens and well-equipped labs would make you learn and do so much more? Is there an Exco you’re dying to teach (or take)? Do you want to work for Doctors without Borders and find the social justice classes and activities at Oberlin just up your alley?</p>
<p>Hope that helped. :)</p>