I am accepted into Neuroscience programs at many colleges but Reed and Oberlin are my top 2 at this point. I want to be involved in research from the first semester and ultimately do a Ph.D. (or maybe MD/Ph.D.). I am attracted to LAC education so eliminating the other schools.
My focus is research so would like insights into which of these two colleges would be a good fit and better chances of going to Ph.D after undergrad. Thanks in advance.
These are 2 good choices since both send a lot of students on to PhD programs. Reed probably sends more students in neuroscience and life sciences in general.
Thank you! One of the rankings sites showed Kenyon as a better option than these 2. Is that right? I am admitted there too but thought these two were better. Have not visited any yet. PLan to in April but appreciate thoughts and feedback till I can go and get the feel.
Kenyon is a pretty special school. My son is going for biology.
You will be able to do undergrad research at all 3 schools you mentioned, and likely at all the schools you have been accepted to. Have you researched the type of research the neuro profs are doing? If so, do any seem more in line with your interests?
What aspects of Reed and Oberlin appeal to you? Both are what I call âfitâ schoolsâŠthey are not for everyone. I encourage you to read Fiske and Princeton Review guides to understand what student life may be like there. I strongly encourage you to visit each before committing. I would not eliminate Kenyon from consideration.
Are costs a part of your decision? Are costs similar among these schools?
Lastly re: Oberlin, their covid policies have been relatively more restrictive than many schools. Something to consider, whether thatâs a positive or negative to you.
Is that really true about oberlin having more restrictive COVID policies? That was absolutely not our experience as a family looking at SLAC in the spring of 2021. They were one of the very first to open up to in-person visits (In April 2021) and although we werenât technically allowed in any buildings at that point we did go inside one with a professor who met with my daughter as well as the admissions office (I.e., in practice they werenât that strict about the no inside thing). There were students on campus all year last year (though they did change the schedule so all years werenât on campus at the same time, similar to what schools like Brown did). All students have been on campus all year this year. I donât know what the specific restrictions were this year, though, so you may be right that they were stricter. They were also one of the last SLAC to require vaccinations to the point where I was concerned about that (most of the school was vaccinated but it was still voluntary until the EAU was lifted). I should add we absolutely loved Oberlin and it stayed high on my daughterâs list until she was admitted ED to her first choice.
My daughter is a sophomore at Kenyon and loves it. Sheâs a humanities major, but two of her close friends are biology majors/pre-med, and theyâre very happy with the coursework and research opportunities there. My daughter chose Kenyon over Oberlin (and a bunch of other LACs, including higher-ranked Grinnell), but this had to do partly with the better financial package she got from Kenyon and partly because it was a better fit for her interests. But all three are great schools.
Yes, absolutely. In the Fall semester, masks were required OUTSIDE for the first 3 weeks or so of school (of course inside as well). Dining was grab and go only for quite awhile, and there were problems with students being able to get enough food.
This semester, they just went to in-person dining on March 7, and capacity is still restricted. Masks are still required indoors everywhere but your own dorm room. If you have friends in your dorm room, all must be masked. Starting this Monday, students donât have to wear masks in the gyms. April 21 is the target date for loosening indoor masking restrictions, depending on cases (that will likely be when the US is experiencing a BA2 wave).
If you want to know more you can PM me.
No Iâm all set since my daughter is attending another school but thatâs super interesting compared to our experience as a prospective student! Compared to say, smith, which my D had to take off her list unseen - they were fully remote I believe for the entire 20-21 school year, didnât open up for tours until well after other schools and then restricted those tours so dramatically that it was impossible to get a slot (And communicated terribly about it, setting up a wait list and then just randomly sending out an email saying never mind, weâve done away with the wait list, no slots for you). But absolutely the experience of a prospective student will be different that that of an attending one and I canât speak to that.
Those 3 are all great . . . and all different.
Yes, I wouldnât worry about the ranking for those threeâtheyâre peer institutions. See what you think after you visit, what their neuroscience programs offer, whether you like the location, culture, etc. (assuming the cost is similar or itâs not an issue).
Thank you for responding. Can you let me know what makes it special for him as a Bio student?
I love the learning for learning sake philosophy of Reed and Oberlin. Something I missed in high school where classes were taught with AP exams in mind, not for knowledge. Have not heard the same thing about Kenyon so not sure.
Costs work out with an acceptable range for all three. I may think of appealing once I decide.
Happy to know the Covid approach @ Oberlin. Thanks for sharing.
Glad she is happy at Kenyon. Could you elaborate on a âbetter fit for her interestsâ? and yes happy to have options of great schools but that makes it harder to decide 
My DD goes there and their management of Covid has been exemplary. Student vaccination rate is 98%, Staff vaccination is 97% and staff is at 91%. This is why they were able to ease restrictions. Because they are a small school and I believe their Covid policy is 100% guided by science, they are able to adapt quickly and respond correctly and proactively to covid changes. Parents get a Obiesafe update weekly on stats and developments.
Although my DD had her heart set on Oberlin regardless, we felt strongly that if offered the best Covid policy of any school we looked at.
I just sent you a personal message.