Money is no issue but Oberlin is 10k$ per year cheaper since I also got merit aid.
I am an international student from India. I am not interested in greek life, hardcore partying or sports. I definitely prefer better academics. I am a square peg kind of guy who has a hard time fitting in. Not particularly political but I guess I am sort of on the left. I don’t like dressing well or wearing fancy clothing(I go to malls and restaurants in tracks).
My intended major is: Physics + Philosophy
As you can see, I am leaning towards Oberlin except I feel I am unfairly rejecting Colgate University. Colgate seems to have a way better reputation and better academics.
It is unfortunate that I will not be able to visit the two campuses. Both places seem to be extremely remote so I can’t really judge them on that. I seem to be liking the Oberlin crowd way more than the Colgate Crowd but that doesn’t have to mean anything as I have only talked to them online.
My parents are preferring Colgate because it fairs better on the rankings and the fact that their grads earn more money but that is just because they major more for finance degrees right?
I heard about the Colgate alumni network being really helpful but I don’t know what that means.
One thing that bothers me about Oberlin is that sometimes it can take the activism way too far… I also feel I am making my college decision on really weird criteria(as if I am going to college to have fun). Can that affect my employment?
If it is any help, Reed College was my top choice before they rejected me.
If you want to study philosophy, Oberlin counts among its alumni one of the giants of the 20th century analytic philosophers, Willard Van Quine. Oberlin is also unusually strong in sciences. In fact, Quine studies mathematics at Oberlin before turning to mathematical logic.
Based on what you posted, I think Oberlin is a better fit and I would prefer Oberlin for my kid. Even if the $ was equal – and for you Oberlin is cheaper. I would ignore the ranking difference, as both are top-notch. My only question about Oberlin is that I read about some financial issues (budget shortfall last year) due at least in part to a lower enrollment in 2017. I am not up on that issue, but I would look into it. And Colgate is an outstanding school. So you have good options.
Personally, I’d choose Oberlin. It’s quirkier and for a self-described “square peg,” I think you’ll have a whole lot more fun. Plus, if you hadn’t told me that Colgate was ranked higher, I’d certainly have said that Oberlin was the higher ranked.
Colgate offers truly top-notch science facilities in a beautiful, authentically rural setting. By personal attributes, you might fit in better at Oberlin though.
Just so you know, Oberlin is a very PC school. If you don’t toe the line and follow the prevailing progressive social justice belief system there, it may be a bad fit.
I wish you could visit. Oberlin is caricatured by some right-wing critics. It’s definitely left-wing, but it would be nice if you could see it for yourself to get a better feel for whether you personally would feel out of place.
As an international, you will have challenges related to finding a job back home, so be sure to consider the reputation and alumni network of each school in India.