I decided last minute that I wanted to apply ED2 to Oberlin, but am feeling very uneasy about it and am considering backing out…
I was rejected ED1 from Vassar, my dream school based on its proximity to NYC, its strong art history programs, its diversity (both intellectual and ethnic) and its liberal student body.
I initially applied to Oberlin RD, but called them on Tuesday and they said I could switch. I’m drawn to Oberlin’s creative atmosphere, unconventional attitudes towards learning (with ExCo and Winter Term), and great museum, but I am worried about it feeling too homogenous (everyone seems to be artsy and super liberal), and I’m not really feeling the midwest vibe (I’m from NYC). Additionally, I am Asian, and Oberlin’s lack of racial diversity is a concern.
My other top choices are Smith and Scripps, but I wouldn’t consider applying ED2 to these schools at this point, just because it’s way too late in the game. I’m drawn to smith Smith because it feels like a very diverse place and there are a lot of creative people there; Scripps because of its laid back yet focused environment and the social and academic benefits that come with the Claremont consortium.
In terms of the aforementioned qualities, how do these schools stack up against each other? I’m concerned that if I end up at Oberlin, I will be missing out on all the great things the other two colleges have to offer. When I visited Oberlin, I didn’t like the environment, and I’ve only grown to like it recently, as I’ve done more research and talked to current students. Another big issue is that it’s possible that I won’t get into any of these schools - my grades are very erratic, making it difficult to predict how colleges will read my application. I’ll be pretty upset if I get rejected from all three, and I almost feel as if I want to apply ED2 to just avoid that situation (it’s very likely I’ll be accepted to Oberlin if I go with ED2). Thoughts?
It sounds like you are very unsure about Oberlin. In your words, you say you didn’t like the environment when you visited. If that is truly the case, you should not apply ED2. It really sounds as if you need more time to compare and research your options. Don’t feel compelled to use ED2 as a knee jerk reaction to an ED1 rejection.
Tough choice. If I were you, I’d consider which of these two scenarios would be “worse” (subjectively, for you, not objectively):
- Not getting into any of the 3 (and going with a match/safety elsewhere, I presume you have those)
or
- Going to Oberlin despite being accepted to Smith or Scripps RD
If #2 is worse, then don’t apply ED2. If #1 is worse, then apply.
I feel for you! I know this is a stressful time and it’s so hard to know what the road untaken may yield. My concern is that you seem very unsure about Oberlin and might be going into ED2 for the wrong reasons.
I think it’s very important to like the environment if you’re putting all of your eggs in that basket because you’re making a commitment. My D was accepted ED1 to Oberlin and she decided to do that because she loved the atmosphere when visiting. FWIW, she’s not an extreme liberal but she is artsy (a writer) and she happens to be Asian too. She was drawn to the small town, though we live just outside DC.
I haven’t visited the other two schools but I’m sure they have great things to offer as well. One thing I would point out is that you mentioned how attending Oberlin means missing out on the things the other two offer. If you’re already mourning that I would reconsider but in the end you can only attend one school (which sort of makes my D sad sometimes given all that she loved at each place) so eventually you will have to say goodbye to other paths.
Good luck!
Oberlin is a great place. The diversity statistics are a bit low there not because it is not welcoming, but because it is extremely difficult to entice young minority applicants to come to a small town in rural Ohio for college. In fact, historically, Oberlin is extremely welcoming - it was the very first college in the USA to admit racial minorities, and the first liberal arts college to admit women along with men. Its role in the abolitionist movement was extremely significant and it was a key stop on the Underground Railroad.
This is a key point. No matter where you get accepted and choose to go, there will always be some “opportunity cost” of something great offered elsewhere. So don’t worry too much about it.