<p>Anybody have an opinion comparing these two schools? Dickinson is a lot closer to where we live than Oberlin. My D was offered decent financial aid by Dickinson, a little bit better for freshman year than Oberlin offered but there are no guaranteed scholarship dollars each year, which Oberlin has offered.</p>
<p>I reckon Dickinson is more conservative?</p>
<p>If by conservative you mean ‘preppy’ I agree, although the existence of some preppy type students isn’t necessarily a terrible thing. This is what I’m trying to figure out: if money is not an issue, what would be reasons to turn down Oberlin in favor of Dickinson? This is a serious question.</p>
<p>Finances aside, frankly, I don’t know of any reasons to turn down Oberlin in favor of Dickinson–aside from individual issues of temperament. If your daughter thinks she would be more comfortable and happier at Dickinson, then that is probably where she should go. But no one else can advise you on that.</p>
<p>So, do you think Oberlin is that much better a school?</p>
<p>In terms of what I would be looking for in a college, unquestionably so.</p>
<p>Plainsman,
I think that Oberlin has a significantly stronger academic reputation than Dickinson. If your daughter has any interest in music or science, in particular, Oberlin is a fantastic school for both those disciplines.</p>
<p>Oberlin is definitely better than Dickinson!</p>
<p>Dickinson is definitely more conservative and preppy. While it’s driving distance to some decent places, the town itself is barren. Therefore, fraternities and a rich-kid vibe linger. It’s a solid school academically (and is always boasting about its study abroad programs), just not as strong as Oberlin.</p>
<p>I was told by a parent and her daughter that the library at Dickinson was smaller than the one in their local high school. I tried to confirm this online, but, the Dickinson site doesn’t seem to say how big their library is. But, a small library is not a good sign for academic quality.</p>
<p>My D is a cellist but not strong enough for the Conservatory, and does not have an interest in a music major. Science is also out. The topic dragged down her overall SAT/ACT scores. She hasn’t decided on a major, but she’s becoming increasingly interested in the area of social justice. </p>
<p>I’m convinced Oberlin has a stronger academic reputation than Dickinson, but my daughter worries about graduating from an LAC because a lot of prospective employers have never heard of them and can’t tell a Top 20 LAC from a local third-tier private school. It’s frightening, but I know corporate execs who think Wesleyan College is the same thing as Wesleyan University, or that Dickinson College is the same place as Fairleigh Dickinson University, that Wesleyan University is the same place as Ohio Wesleyan and Illinois Wesleyan universities, and never heard of half the Top 20 LACs, nevermind the schools ranked below the Top 20.</p>
<p>My background is inner city, poor public schools. None of the adults in my family, including uncles and aunts, had stepped foot in a college or had ever visited a college campus. They were blue collar, working-class, men and women, with many high school dropouts among them. I come from pipefitters and plumbers, bakers and barbers, truck drivers, factory workers and postal clerks. Neither I nor my parents were aware of SAT prep courses. There was no such thing as AP and Honors, or this IB stuff I’ve heard about on CC. Somehow I graduated from a second-tier private university in four years with a B+ average despite working 40 hours a week in a factory on a night shift, getting dirt under my fingernails, to pay my own way. My parents had no money. I attended big flagship state U’s for my post-undergraduate work (MBA + JD). Somehow I managed to pass the bar exam, but it was a very stressful experience sitting there next to Harvard and Yale law types with their fancy clothes and cushy jobs waiting “at Uncle Connor’s firm.” I’ve still never vacationed in Europe or “the islands.”</p>
<p>I had never heard of schools like Whitman, Reed, Hamilton, or Dickinson and thought Bard and Bates were the same place until I started helping my daughter with her college search last summer. But who hasn’t heard of the name brand universities like the Ivies, Duke, Stanford, Northwestern, Georgetown, etc., and the big flagship state U’s? </p>
<p>So, I worry. Our family does not have a legacy of or familiarity with “fancy private schools.” So here we are. My D was accepted at Oberlin, an LAC. A Top 20 LAC. But none of us is sure what that really means or if it’s worth the money. She’s also accepted to Penn State—University Park with it’s national reputation, massive alumni association, and powerhouse placement office. Corporations flock by the hundreds to recruit their solid, smiling, and somewhat centrist to conservative middle class students. Yes, she received a John F. Oberlin scholarship but that only pays partial tuition. At PSU, she is still a candidate for a full, four year merit ride (she’ll know within a week). And yesterday, she received an email from Cornell University informing her that although she was not accepted for admission into this fall’s entering class, if she gets a 3.0 at another college (including a two-year community college) she’s guaranteed a transfer into Cornell as a sophomore in fall of 2010. I’d never heard of such a thing, but apparently Cornell, unique among elite schools, does this for a select group of kids every year. Apparently, it’s better than making the waiting list. You wait one year and you’re in. My head is spinning with things like this that wealthy people from privileged backgrounds have always known.</p>
<p>What does my daughter do now? I don’t know how to advise her. Sorry for the rant, and I’m sorry that I’m not as sophisticated and knowledgeable as some on this board. My daughter deserves better than I’ve been able to offer.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. Your daughter will do fine at any of the schools. She is obviously a very talented and hardworking young woman. </p>
<p>Also, I think you overestimate how much everyone else knows.</p>
<p>Luckily, there’s only one college called Oberlin. :D</p>
<p>Yes, many employers still don’t know many of the best LACs, but who cares? Your daughter will still receive an amazing education that will prepare and awe future employers. However, I actually think that the top LACs are becoming more well-known. And anyone who’s somewhat scholarly has heard of Oberlin. </p>
<p>Penn State is a decent school, but the overall quality isn’t on the same level as Oberlin. I’m sure you can get an amazing education there if you want, but it’s a bigger school that’s more focused on having fun and partying.</p>
<p>The Cornell transfer option is indeed appealing. Nevertheless, your daughter will still have to go somewhere before transferring (if she intends to). What better place than Oberlin, heh?</p>
<p>GL!</p>
<p>If she’s interested in grad schools, they all know the quality of the undergraduate school. Oberlin looks like the best bet.</p>
<p>I’m inclined to agree that Oberlin looks like the best bet. I also feel that Oberlin really wants her. They sure act like it. Oberlin’s follow-up feels more personal even though I know it probably isn’t. Dickinson has incredible follow-up “we love you” marketing but it doesn’t feel as personal, i.e., sincere. </p>
<p>north_face: My daughter would never enroll at Oberlin with an eye to transferring to Cornell next year. She would only consider it, like any student, if she was absolutely miserable at Oberlin. The Cornell guaranteed transfer option would simply make transferring administratively easy and a sure thing. But only if she’s miserable, which I would not anticipate at a wonderful school like I believe Oberlin to be.</p>
<p>Plainsman- I would definitely take a good look at the Cornell option. Cornell is an Ivy League, name-brand university, and if your daughter feels comfortable there, I would recommend seriously considering their offer, IF it’s a good “fit” and financially feasible for your daughter. Also, in my opinion, if you’re concerned about name recognition among employers, Cornell would be the better place to go. Oberlin is certainly well-known in the college/university world and a large percentage of their grads go on the get Ph.D.'s, law degrees, etc. Also, if she gets to Cornell and isn’t happy there, a transfer from Cornell to Oberlin may be easier to accomplish than the other way around.<br>
However, given a choice between Dickinson and Oberlin, I agree that Oberlin is considered the stronger college academically, and in general, attracts a more intellectual, socially -aware and creative student body.
I should qualify this by saying that we have not visited either Cornell or Dickinson…</p>
<p>Plainsman- Oops, I think our posts crossed in cyber-space. If your daughter is a better “fit” for Oberlin (her interests in music and social justice), then by all means, she should go there! I live in California, where a “rejected” freshman applicant to Berkeley or UCLA is almost guaranteed admission to these top universities after successful completion of 2 years at community college. Yet, most bright high school graduates who have other options, do NOT go the route of community college.
I was primarily responding to your name-recognition issue. Oberlin is a terrific college…if it’s a “fit” for your daughter!</p>
<p>Plainsman,
Your D has 2 very special things that will make her very successful wherever she goes. She is very talented (looking at the schools that she is evaluating) and she has a loving parent. You’ve shown her that working hard can take you to great places regardless of where you started. Several studies have shown that success comes not from going to an Ivy League or other “elite” school, but by being the caliber of student who could go to one. She will be successful regardless of her choice, so she should choose the school that is the best fit for her. I say this as my son has just put his acceptance to the Oberlin Conservatory in the mail. </p>
<p>Best of luck, worry not, and be proud of her.</p>