personality diversity??

Colleges and Universities A-Z Oberlin College
1

<p>Hello,
I am an arsty, liberal student and I really love Oberlin- I felt like I could fit in during my visit and just really like the school in general. However, I'm a little worried about the diversity in "types" of people at the school-can anyone attest to whether or not there is a good mix of both "alternative" students as well as conservatives, preppy students, or just less extreme artsy types than the school has the reputation for having? Any input helps!
Obviously, no population of 3000 students can all be the same; I'm just looking for some reassurance that I'll find a diverse range of people (or to be told otherwise!)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I suggest reading the blogs, which represent a good cross-section of Oberlin students. I think you’ll see considerable diversity, but judge for yourself:</p>

<p>[Oberlin</a> Blogs](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/)</p>

3

<p>Some magazine ranking tabbed Oberlin as one of the “Top Ten Hipster” colleges, but rankings, academic and otherwise, should be taken with a grain of salt. However, directionally, I would say Oberlin is more Hipster than Preppie or Hippie, but you will see and possibly meet all kinds of people, personalities, etc., including the rare conservative. :slight_smile: But if what you really want is an even distribution of all of the above, I don’t believe such a school exists. Most U.S. colleges skew one direction or another. Washington and Lee will be conservative and heavy Greek life; Lehigh U will be center-right and heavy Greek life; Oberlin, Wesleyan, Swarthmore, Brown, will be overwhelmingly liberal. Penn State-University Park would come closest from my experience to being a predominantly “moderate” campus culture, with everyone from lefties to hard right wingers and plenty of centrist types in-between. </p>

<p>If you are looking only at LACs, the majority are going to at least lean left of center. But the W&Ls and Wheatons (Ill.) exist too.</p>