<p>Wow I'm exhausted. I just got back from a trip to Ohio where I visited Case Western, Oberlin, and the College of Wooster. I liked all three of them, though they are all different. However, if you have visited one of these schools during the school year, could you please post how you found the college when it was in session? For example, was it a quiet or louder campus, did a lot of activities seem to be going on, what were the students like, personality-wise, style-wise, etc.? Did any of you get any extra special looks at anything? Anyway, I'll now give my reports, though I may take a break inbetween since it's a lot to process!</p>
<p>First I should say that I'm interested in english, history, and music for the most part so I focused in a bit on these areas.
The Location: Cleveland. It's right in the University Circle, where there are so many awesome institutions, like the Art Museum, Sevearence Hall (home of the symphony), a nice pond, and many hospitals. There is one really busy street that runs through campus and then some smaller ones.
The Campus: I liked it a lot; it seemed to blend an urban campus with more of an enclosed campus. There seemed to be two parts of campus, the north and south, with one being mostly the hospitals, science, and math side and the other being the one with the humanities buildings, and all the student necessities like dorms, the library, etc. There are a few newer buildings, but many older ones. I really liked the humanities buildings which are all grouped around a little grassy area. The English building was especially cute. I loved the library, which was really open and let in a ton of sunlight. There are some grassy areas, including a big lawn and a quad around the more science/math/medical area.
The Dorms: The dorm wasn't bad. Not tiny, though not huge. However there were nice windows, and even a cable line in each room. The lounge was just redone so it looked pretty nice, and they have a nice laundry room, bike rack, and mailboxes in the dorms. Three dorms form a residential college, which sponsors events.
Student Life: There seem to be many different options, especially with Cleveland right there. There is Greek life, but the tour guide mentioned that the Greeks must complete a ton of service hours and actually get high grades. There are many student clubs though and I figure tons to do.
Academics: There is a core, including a program called Sages, which is basically just a lecture series on different random topics. Double majors seem to be very popular and it seems as if students still easily finish within 4 years.
Music: You can take lessons with the Cleveland Institute of Music, but only majors can take them for free. There are many other performance groups though, and a music minor.
Notes: My mom thought that Case had a very dynamic atmosphere and this describes it well. I like it's blend of an urban school with a pretty campus, and then having it have research yet a smaller liberal arts sector.
However, I was a little disheartened to pick up a school newspaper, actually the last issue from April, which graded parts of the University. The grades are: student government-F, activities board-A, dorms-C, food-D, administration-B, security-C. However, I still know people who know students that love it there. Also, everyone was friendly that I saw, and it seemed to be diverse, so I think that some of it is general student problems. One last note, my mom asked my tour guide about her time at Case, and she said the only issue she had when she came was it being really nerdy, but she found that though there were some people who played video games all day, there are some very cool people and everything else is great. So, I would definitely like to learn more about Case, because admissions at least made it seem awesome.</p>
<p>The Location: Oberlin. It's about 30/40 minutes from Cleveland, and a cute little town. There is a main square park place, and then the town. Basically it has some interest stores that sell gifts, some coffee shop or little restaurants, and a lot of other more necessity stores. It is right next to campus so cars are not an issue. Oh, and I didn't mention this but for Case Western the same is true since you get a free pass to the city's rapid transit and there are shuttles too. For Oberlin there are some shuttles to events in Cleveland.
The Campus: It too is pretty. It's kind of spread out, so there is one central area, and then buildings around that, which I apoligize doesn't descirbe it very well. There are some old buildings with beautiful architecture, including the language building with is so beautiful inside! I wasn't a big fan of the humanities building, but we were inside for just a moment, because I decided to take a tour of campus then the conservatory so the college campus tour was cut back a little bit I think. The conservatory building is modern and I think it is one of those buildings you like or you don't. I wasn't a big fan of the outside, but after being inside it it definitely grew on me. The library was last decorated in the 1970s and is a concrete building, so there is not as much sunlight, and there are some bright bold colors used in the decorating scheme! One cool building is the environmental building which is a very green building. I guess the main quad is infront of the library and surrounded by the student union and some humanities buildings. The science building is big and new though I don't remember much about it.
The Dorms: The dorm we went into was kind of dark and stuffy, and the hallway carpeted. The room I saw was a separated double which was really nice because it was big, but I guess fairly rare. However, the state of the rooms is I guess the worse there is so I would assume there must be some nice dorms because even these weren't too bad for dorms. There are also houses and the only thing I remember about that is that freshman can live in them too.<br>
Student Life: Oberlin brings in a lot of entertainment, especially music-wise. My tour guide said that she actually did more here than at her home-town city, and there was always something to do, so I guess that's hope for a city girl like me. There are many student clubs and club sports too.
Academics: I think studying several different topics is encouraged here, and double-majoring seems to be popular. A note that conservatory and college admissions are separate, so you'd need to apply to both. I think there is a core, but I kind of forget right now.<br>
Music: All I can say is WOW! The conservatory is awesome. Today they were bringing in brand new harpsichords. There are practice rooms equipped with organs for the organ majors. They even have a Steinways in every room, and many grand pianos too. There is also a nice modern music library. Case also had a music library which seemed older, but the building was closing so I couldn't look around. For those who can't get into a conservatory like me, the college has a music major (no minor though) that shares classes with the conservatory and lessons are free, but you must audition for them.
Notes: Well, I enjoyed Oberlin and it seemed to have a neat intellectual feel and it had a pretty small-town campus, not so much rural as cute town. It seemed as if students were pretty opinionated and any loud problems in dorms seemed to be from students having late-night philosophical debates. I think Oberlin is also pretty diverse and liberal.</p>
<p>The Location: Wooster. I didn't drive around town very much because my mom didn't want us to get lost, but it seems to be a nice area right around the college. We heard references to a downtown area, but this is a town, so it was probably a nice little town center. We passed many housing developments and many shopping strips close to campus. I'm not sure how much there is right next to campus though.
The Campus: Again, very pretty. There is a science group of buildings, then a big humanities building at the end. It looked to be nice on the inside (it was a nice style and the windows were huge so I would suspect the classrooms to atleast have tall ceilings), but it was undergoing renovation so we couldn't go inside. There is an art museum on campus like Oberlin in which there is another green infront of. Behind that is the quad, a big lawn and the dorms are around this. The campus is very green with lots of space. Across the main street are many sports fields and some other buildings. However, I like the layout a lot. I must mention to, that all the buildings I've seen on all 3 campuses have been well maintained and nice on the inside. Wooster also has a TON of squirrels. Oh, and I don't know how many eating options are right on campus. There are two little places besides the dining halls, but again, there are not many shops on campus.
The Dorms: I think Wooster had the biggest I've seen so far. The one dorm I went into was in a big old place, and the one lounge had all this beautiful woodwork and a fireplace and piano in it. I heard there was another lounge in that dorm too. There seem to be many program house options also, so if you're interested take a look at all of the housing options
Student Life: What more to say. Like every school there are student groups. Greek life is present, but I guess not overly. The guide said that there are parties but stressed that it there was a lot of stuff to do outside of partying and that she got by fine without drinking alcohol.
Academics: There is a core. Also, there is a big project one must complete as a senior called independent study in which they do a ton of research and write a paper. Double-majors seem to be less popular here. I guess one really strong program here is chemistry, though there are others too.
Music: Practice rooms cost $5 at the beginning of the year and that's it. I should mention that at Case and Oberlin anyone can use dorms also, though they are free. $5 isn't a big deal though. Music lessons are free for music majors and minors. I heard the music program has graduated some good musicians, though I did hear one unpleasant review of it.
Notes: I liked Wooster, though I couldn't really figure out a campus personality to it at all. The campus is very nice though. The campus is currently becoming much more wireless, and I think Oberlin and Case are more-so right now. I think it is worth a look though, and is a good choice as a safety for many CCers I'm sure since everyone here seems to be so smart. </p>
<p>So, these are my trip impressions. Overall, the tours went well. Case's really covered a ton of ground and info. Oberlin's was alright, since I unknowingly came on an open house day, so the tour group was huge, along with having a bit of a reduced tour to fit in the conservatory tour. Wooster's was small, and the tour guide kind of personalized it a bit to our interests and what buildings we went inside of. I may think of some more information later, but feel free to ask any questions. Again, if anyone can describe the feel with students on campus please do. Now I need to go recover from my trip!</p>
<p>Never visited any of the schools, but Wooster had the funniest, entertaining brochures of any school ever! If that is an indication of the campus culture, it is hysterical!!!!!</p>
<p>Thank you, estargrl88!! My rising jr D will visit all three campuses in the spring and this is such a good summary for her to begin with. I attended grad school at Case ages ago and haven't seen the new library but so well remember the wonderful 'circle' of museums etc near the campus, and Cleveland is a much better city than popularly reported. I enjoyed my yr there despite the cold snowy winter, which in retrospect was no worse than Chicago's. I do remember that Case had a decidely 'eastern' vs midwestern feel and population. I look forward to any future trips/reports you share!</p>
<p>Oh! I meant to ask: did you deliberately pass on Kenyon and, if so, why, or did you just not have time on this trip? I've always thought of all 4 in one thought, not just the 3. However, although it is also a liberal LAC, I have always felt rightly or wrongly that Kenyon is a bit more preppy/Greek-oriented than the other 3.</p>
<p>Oberlin is one of those schools you just have to see when its in session.The student body is diverse,to say the least...others would say downright quirky.A different atmosphere from other places. DD was impressed by the conservatory (she attended a summer program and was an unsuccessful Performance applicant) but its a tight fit..overcrowded.As faras I know the dorms havent been updated in a loooooooong time,housing doesnt seem a big priority for their budget and amenities that other schools seem to tout,like Fitness centers arent on their radar.The special interest houses and coops are nice though.D thought the town was cute too but perhaps a little claustrophobic..ie: there's one of this and one of that...and w/o a car its hard to get anywhere else,there's no public transit.
At the time it was her first choice due to the Flute faculty but after all was said and done (4 years and a graduation later) she's happier she landed in a larger, more urban setting.</p>
<p>Actually, I wouldn't mind going to visit Kenyon, though I know that I'm not looking for Greek stuff which is probably why I didn't go there this trip. However, I wouldn't have had enough time to begin with. I've heard from my friends that it is a very small town, which I guess made me think against it, but you made me realize that I just visited two other small town colleges and liked them!</p>
<p>Cathy, you're right about the town. I could feel it getting old kind of fast. I know there were some times when I thought it's good now since it's new but would I get bored of it? I am actually a flute player, so were you very impressed by the teachers/did they seem nice?</p>
<p>"However, I was a little disheartened to pick up a school newspaper, actually the last issue from April, which graded parts of the University. The grades are: student government-F, activities board-A, dorms-C, food-D, administration-B, security-C."</p>
<p>Undergrad dissatisfaction has been an issue for quite a while at Case. To give them the benefit of a doubt, it seems from what I've read on different college review sites, "techie" schools (and Case is one, for sure)generally seem to have a lot of unhappy folks. Maybe it's their nature, or the nature of the grinding schedule of students in majors such as engineering.</p>
<p>We visited Wooster last spring. From the student tour guides we spoke with, it sounds as if the students keep to the campus, and rarely have reason to go into Wooster. They regarded the town as having nothing to offer them. Those with cars head out to a cinema in a strip mall, and the nearby WalMart. I think when Wooster kids leave campus, they leave for places some distance away. We know several kids who've graduated from there recently. Seems like a group of happy campers at Wooster overall.</p>
<p>Bookmom, are you sure we aren't sharing the same kid? My daughter has Case on her list, and she may be adding Wooster. We're actually heading there tomorrow to take in a performance of "Man of La Mancha" by the Ohio Light Opera Company and to do a drive around of the campus. If the campus passes muster, we'll be heading back in the fall. I had originally wanted to do a full campus visit there next week and take in the Case open house on the 5th, but my daughter isn't snapping back from her knee surgery as fast as I had hoped, so a lot of walking isn't an option yet.</p>
<p>Estargrl, thanks for the report...it gives me hope that Wooster will meet the drive-by test for my daughter. (She'll love the information about the squirrels!) An interesting factoid I found from the Wooster website is that they actually have an endowment specifically for the maintenance of their trees, including a grove of very old oaks (kind of explains the squirrel population). Look for my report in the fall when (I'm hoping) we go to both Case and Wooster.</p>
<p>i can't wait to hear the reports from your visits, especially since you'll be going in the fall and may get an in session experience</p>
<p>Estargrl88,
My DH and S visited Oberlin, Denison, and Kenyon over our Spring break this year. My DH wrote up an extensive CC review of all 8 colleges visited on their whirlwind college campus tour. The name of the thread was "The Grand Am transatlantic boogie" by doddsdad.</p>
<p>After the visits Kenyon became #1 on my very non-preppy, non-greek, S's list and Oberlin was taken off his list altogether.</p>
<p>Estargrl-
Flute professor at Oberlin is probably amongst the top #5 in the US...Michel DeBost. D loved him and would have given anything to study with him.Unfortunately as you already know Performance admits are very competitive and acceptances are few..each conservatory takes in what they need or what the faculty deems needed for their studio that year,one year it could be 5 the next 1 or even none.
Mr DeBost's wife also teaches with him but not full time,Kathleen Chastaine (not sure of the spelling).
D was waitlisted there..they took in three that year. Not sure what the situation is with non music majors getting lessons with him but if you get the chance to attend a summer institute D thought it was invaluable.</p>
<p>Denison's campus and rising academic standing made it a standout in comparison to Kenyon and Wooster. No school can touch OBERLIN if music rules the decison but for all-around appeal Denison excels and is
gaining the recognition it deserves since changing Presidents in 1998.</p>
<p>Case's new library is really a knock out. I think of all the schools on your rounds it will have the most "technical" student body. Also, comparing Oberlin conservatory to Case probably isn't a good comparison. It should probably be compared to Cleveland Institute of Music. </p>
<p>My son is a musician (non-major) and looked at Case, Kenyon, Oberlin, and Denison in Ohio (among other schools as well). He didn't feel like Case was "warm" enough and he didn't like the frat presence. Oberlin he didn't like at all for a number of reasons. (Too granola student body being the main one. For some reason, my son is pretty main stream.) He liked Kenyon (he has lots of legacy there - father, great uncle, cousin, grandfather) but I couldn't stomach the price tag. He loved Denison for its personal approach and will be attending there this fall. (Gulp - next week.) He will be doing a performance certificate or music minor and got an additional small scholarship for that plus free music lessons. (He also got a merit scholarship which Denison is great about.) The music dept seems excited to have him and a biology professor even asked him to audition for a community wind ensemble that he claims is fantastic. Frats at Denison are no longer allowed to live together, which sort of wrecks that scene (good) and the campus was actually the prettiest of every one we visited.</p>
<p>By the way your school reports are great. Good job!</p>
<p>Did anyone visit OHIO University in Athens OH? Their campus is stunning and I felt that the college town was great. They seem to have a lot of new initiatives and their housing from what we saw (and have heard) was great. I was definitely impressed by the school.</p>
<p>I liked the size - it wasn't as overwhelming as OSU and it didn't feel as unsafe as Case Western. It seemed like it had more to offer socially than schools like Kenyon or Oberlin which is nice. Those two felt quite small.</p>
<p>Did anyone else visit OU?</p>
<p>Estragirl, Great trip reports, thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>You said: "I liked Wooster, though I couldn't really figure out a campus personality to it at all." That's kind of how I feel. I want to like Wooster - I can tell from their website and what I've read elsewhere that it is a good solid school. But try as I might I just can't get my arms around what the campus personality is all about.</p>
<p>To me, Wooster's culture is one of kids who are comfortable and at ease with themselves...whatever their interest is. It's a relaxed campus of smiling, contented kids studying their heart's desires. It's a campus of tolerance of kids comfortable in their own skins and comfortable with other kids in their own skins. I know this is a bit vague, but it's the best I can do. These kids are smart and content.</p>