Hi everyone. Less than a month ago, I decided to go to UW Madison with a full tuition + book stipend scholarship. But throughout the month of May, my mind kept wandering back to Oberlin. I am an introvert, and combining that with the fact that all through high school I’ve wanted to get away from my peers, led me to think I have made the wrong decision. I simply feel that I would fit better as a person at Oberlin. I would have to live restricted, to keep my debt under 20k. I would have to live + eat in a co op, have an on campus job, and work through all of my summers. Do you think I should ask Oberlin if they’ll still have me, or do you think I should stick with Madison? Or will Oberlin even take me? In theory, Madison is better for me academically (has the international relations major and the southeast asian studies major) and financially (will graduate with under 5k debt) but something about Oberlin is sticking with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I think you should contact the admissions officeright away. They may have already given away your spot.
Why not stick with UW Madison? Most people who are at a college like that for a year decide it’s right for them and stay for all four.
If, after a year, you still pine for Oberlin then you can transfer. You’ll even have saved a year of tuition.
As another poster mentioned, your seat likely has been given away. Unless you had a strong reason for changing back they’d likely think you are just being fickle and might not consider you. If you wait a year they will likely welcome you with open arms.
Michelle Obama was the commencement speaker at Oberlin last Monday. I think her speech is one of the finest commencements speeches I have ever read, and really presents the essence of Oberlin. You can find it online. I think you would agree that if you can still get in, you should go.
@gratefulalum @Troyus thank you for your advice. they reconsidered my acceptance, are only charging me $100 instead of $300 for the matriculation fee, and are even looking at my financial aid package again in an attempt to give me more aid. they really are an outstanding and caring college, and even if i don’t choose them i will be forever grateful for what they’ve done to help me through this process.
Please go to the Oberlin.edu website and go into the College of Arts and Sciences link. Then, you should looks at the courses in the Politics and East Asian Studies departments. There are many international relations courses and courses about Asia. A large number of Oberlin students also travel overseas for the one month Winter Term, a semester, or a year.