<p>Anybody able to compare these two, especially w/regard to (1) warmth and openness of community and (2) academic quality/intellectual rigor? Thanks!</p>
<p>For whatever reason, all the people I know who went to Middlebury are investment bankers. They are also rather jocky, played sports, etc.</p>
<p>The kids from my daughter's school who went to Middlebury were rather preppy.</p>
<p>So from this quite limited sample I wonder if the "fit" in terms of prevailing student body types overlaps tremendously.</p>
<p>It seems to me that Oberlin applicants would more frequently be agonizing about choosing between it and: Reed, Grinnell, Carleton, Wesleyan, Vassar, Pomona, Macalester; perhaps Brown. </p>
<p>And relatively more Middlebury applicants would be sifting out between it and: Bowdoin, Colgate, Trinity College, Hamilton; maybe Dartmouth.</p>
<p>IF this is correct, the differences in campus cultures could be more significant than incremental differences in the actual courses.</p>
<p>About which I can tell you nothing.</p>
<p>I cannot compare the two colleges but my mom went to Middlebury and she has the best memories about this college. She says the people and the teachers are the best she could ever wish for. She is very happy to have attended that college.</p>
<p>Thanks. Maybe it will help others to comment if I put the question like this: Does Middlebury have a critical mass of the type of kids who, stereotypically speaking, would be comfortable at Oberlin? My impression from a distance is yes - that Middlebury has a preppy contingent but also has a healthy number of emphatically non-preppy, politically aware, communitarian, tolerant, intellectually driven kids - but I would be interested in hearing from anybody with more info on this.</p>
<p>Oberlin grads say the same kinds of things about their experience as the forementioned mom from Middlebury. There is a lot of overlap, although I didn't see "preppy" kids at Oberlin in the sense of popped-collars -- quite a casual looking crowd. Both schools send many graduates off to graduate schools and professional schools; Middlebury has a famous language emphasis, while Oberlin's is music, but both have strong science and humanities courses and intellectually engaged students.</p>
<p>Son was accepted at both. Midd is a beautiful campus but pretty isolated. Oberlin is in a small town but it is pretty easy to get to Cleveland if you want. His impression that the kids who attend Midd are very much into sports. Lots of intramurals, outdoor activities, etc. Obies don't care much about sports but many are really into music. With the conservatory there, music is woven throughout the campus. Son picked Oberlin because he felt that he would be a bit on the outs not wanting to do any kind of sports. He also loves music and has really enjoyed being able to attend a wide variety of concerts. Ultimately, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.</p>
<p>Personally I would not at all mind having my own ski slope on campus.</p>
<p>Though I would mind having to spend four years with those particular few alums I know, if I couldn't avoid them.</p>
<p>Suggest maybe kid should do overnights & check out.
This was decisive for my daughter.</p>
<p>I'm an Oberlin junior and spent last summer at the Italian Language School at Middlebury. While in high school, Middlebury was my first choice, but I was waitlisted and so never had to make the choice between it and Oberlin. (Honestly, at the time, I would have chosen Middlebury, but now I'm very very glad I ended up at Oberlin.) </p>
<p>In terms of income and background of students, Middlebury and Oberlin are very similar. However, I get a very different vibe from the two. The feel I got from Middlebury during my 7 weeks there was that the college and the students have money, and a lot of it. From the matching buildings to the design of the dining halls I felt I was surrounded by money. All the Midd students I met were really great and I still talk with some of them periodically. They are, as a whole, slightly more preppy than Obies. And the student body is more moderate, whereas Oberlin is very liberal. That's not to say that there aren't any conservatives but, honestly, there aren't many.</p>
<p>At Oberlin there's a more laid-back feel. There are a lot of rich kids there but none of them show it. Vegans, vegetarians, and dreadlocks are common. Many of us eat in coops. You can wear anything and do just about anything without people batting an eyelash. I'm from the Bay Area and, for me, Oberlin has a very "Berkeley" feel.</p>
<p>In terms of academics, they're similar overall. I'll admit that the city of Middlebury is much cuter than Oberlin, and the rolling hills are beautiful. Oberlin is the type of place that only certain people feel comfortable at. I know most of my friends from high school wouldn't like going there but I absolutely love it and couldn't imagine being anywhere else.</p>
<p>These are pretty nitpicky comparisons, but I hope they're helpful. Depending on the personality of your son/daughter, s/he could be very happy at either school. And they really are both fantastic. Will you have the chance to visit both this month? Because my visit to Oberlin was what made me fall in love with it.</p>
<p>Good luck choosing and please ask if you have other questions, especially for specific information about Oberlin!</p>
<p>girlinbraids--you were at Midd during the summer, when most of the students are NOT Middlebury undergrads. I'm sure you met quite a few Midd students, but you shouldn't really base your impression of the Midd undergrad student body on the few Midd students on campus during the summer months.</p>
<p>yes, possibly not perfect, but...</p>
<p>girlinbraids confined her comments to those who she said were middlebury students. And her other comments concerned buildings, etc. which I trust were not just visiting for the summer.</p>
<p>Most people would be forced to make these comparisons based on impressions
of knowing/ meeting only a couple people at the other school, or visiting the other school for only a day or two.</p>
<p>Short of actually transferring from one college to the other and attending each full time for a year, I think girlinbraids probably has a better basis to draw her conclusions than almost anyone else is likely to have.</p>
<p>Thanks, girlinbraids. This is very helpful. My daughter's been to Oberlin and is also going to visit Middlebury. We'll see how the visit goes! Thanks again.</p>
<p>I've met a few people who went to Oberlin who are a bit quirky and awkward. I guess all Oberlin students are quirky and awkward (pls note sarcasm).</p>
<p>Something tells me you go to Middlebury. I have no doubt that there are "quirky" and "awkward" people there too...and everywhere.</p>
<p>On the other hand, my daughter's kinda quirky....</p>
<p>See, I don't know if I would fit at Oberlin...I visited it and stayed overnight, and though I liked it, I don't know that it necessarily 'clicked' with me. Yet, it's the better academically of my two choices...</p>
<p>Perhaps you should pick Middlebury then.</p>
<p>I don't think Fanatic517 is deciding between Oberlin and Middlebury.</p>
<p>My friend's daughter is deciding between Oberlin and Skidmore. She wants to do sculpture but also get a liberal arts education. Any thoughts on what would be best for her? She's a quiet girl from NYC. Asian background (3rd generation)</p>
<p>Just occurred to me: </p>
<p>Regarding post #4, when OP says, "tolerant" I envision what is meant is along the lines of this quote from the Oberlin student in post #8:</p>
<p>"You can wear anything and do just about anything without people batting an eyelash."</p>
<p>The observation in post #12 is a little different than this, as I read it. Somebody here clearly has batted at least an eyelash at the "quirky and awkward". Maybe not used to seeing as diverse types where he/she attends school? Evidently not, if specific mention is made as contrast.</p>
<p>Maybe the contrast between these posts is evocative of an actual difference between these schools, to some extent, as they pertain to the parameters detailed in post #4?</p>
<p>I can see it, at least.</p>