Oberlin vs. Skidmore

<p>Any thoughts on which of these would be best for a girl from NYC, Asian background, wants to do sculpture, quiet.</p>

<p>We were very impressed with Skidmore when I visited with D2 last year. She got into her ED school but otherwise Skidmore would have been on her application list for sure. D1 never looked at Skidmore, is at Oberlin.</p>

<p>Years ago Skidmore academics would not have been discussed in the same breadth as Oberlin, but this gap has probably narrowed. Though my guess is Oberlin is still attracting more future Phd- types.</p>

<p>Skidmore has great performing & creative arts, an undergraduate business program. It has a modern, spread-out campus. Oberlin has a more traditional, campus; great strength in liberal arts, and the conservatory.</p>

<p>Both attract lots of NY area kids. But Skidmore is obviously a ton closer to home.</p>

<p>I don't know anything about sculpture, at either school.</p>

<p>If this is the same, I'd say two great choices, wherever she feels most comfortable/ at home really.</p>

<p>"Any thoughts on how Oberlin compares to Skidmore? You said it seems too "hippie" - do you think a girl who is relatively quiet and socially conservative although liberal in political orientation would fit in? "</p>

<p>This would be an important and worthwhile question if the choice was Oberlin vs. a number of other schools.</p>

<p>However, this comparison is to Skidmore, rated the nation's most marijuana-friendly campus according to The Princeton Review's annual sourcebook.</p>

<p>Broadly speaking, Oberlin's academic offerings are more highly regarded than Skidmore's. Oberlin would position you for graduate work at top schools. And even if you're not interested in graduate school right now, things may change after graduation. </p>

<p>Oberlin also has a very artistic student body. I'm a recent grad and knew several sculptors while there, one who worked in metal and made giant ballerinas. </p>

<p>You should obviously weigh fit and cost in your decision. But all other factors being equal, I wouldn't pass up Oberlin.</p>

<p>I was waitlisted at Oberlin and enrolled at Skidmore before getting accepted to Oberlin. And I'm also from NYC and studying art.</p>

<p>I was very unenthusiastic about Skidmore--the art department seemed very non-progressive and the other students seemed cold, shallow and spoiled. It seemed like a school full of all the girls who were cruel to me at summer camp.</p>

<p>Oberlin has an infinitely more vibrant social life--almost everyone is friendly and open. Though it's hard to get into art classes as a non-major, with a little persistence you should be in good shape. The art produced by Oberlin students is incredible--both in studio classes and in silkscreen posters/t-shirts for student events. There are student-made art installations all over campus at any given time. The art history classes are especially stimulating. And of course there's a great NYC scene--NYC culture definitely flourishes somehow in rural Ohio.</p>