Smith vs. Oberlin (vs. Mount Holyoke?)

College Search & Selection
1

I have narrowed down my options to these two schools, but I have not declined Mount Holyoke’s offer. So far I have visited Smith (and MoHo) twice, and I have never visited Oberlin, but I am trying to plan a last minute trip out there. I am interested in studying biology. I also want to participate in choir, folk music, and outdoor activities. I received a large science scholarship from Oberlin that requires me to major in the natural sciences and I received the presidential scholarship and a need-based grant from Smith. Oberlin is only 1K more in terms of our expected family contribution.

Smith has become more and more appealing to me because of it’s science (and engineering) offerings, the town of Northampton (I’m from a west coast city), the dining hall options (I have food allergies), the open curriculum, and the dedicated alumni network. If I had to choose a school right now, I would choose Smith, but I feel like I am not giving Oberlin a fair shot.

I know on paper, Oberlin looks like a great fit for me… they have a great science program, contra dancing, and tons of music. I’ve heard some really great things about Oberlin from people who loved it, but I’ve also heard really harsh criticism, and a few visit horror stories. I am trying to figure out if I am one of those people who would love it there, and without visiting, I am having a difficult time. I don’t drink or do drugs, and I don’t plan on using substances in college. Would I be a rarity on campus? I would love to hear any insight about the student body at Oberlin.

One reason why I haven’t declined MoHo is because of the super friendly people I met on my visit. I met nice people when I attended Open Campus at Smith too, but I didn’t get as much of that friendly vibe at Smith. I know there are going to be a wide range of people at every school, and I know I will find friends at all, but I don’t want to go to a school where people aren’t cordial to each other.

Thank you for your time and help!

2

You are choosing a college that you’ll spend the next four years at. You are under no obligation to give every choice on your list a “fair shot.” You seem to like so many things about Smith, and are only abstractly interested in Oberlin. The “on paper” description only matters so much. If you love Smith and that’s where you want go, then go there!

And there’s nothing wrong with making a choice for Smith without having visited Oberlin. I get the impetus; I’m a maximizer too. I feel like I have to research every option down to the last detail to accurately make a choice. But the thing is - you kind of don’t. You can be happy and successful no matter which one you chose (really, you could roll a die and be fine). So if you like Smith because you’ve gotten the opportunity to visit and most things about it make you really happy, there’s nothing wrong with choosing it even if you don’t have 100% of the information about Oberlin.

Similar with Mount Holyoke. There are several things you have named about Smith that you love and only one reason that you haven’t declined Mount Holyoke. I’m sure there are friendly people at Smith. Was anyone not cordial to you there? There’s a difference between cordial and “super friendly.” Also, consider whether your desire for Mount Holyoke’s super friendly students overrides everything else that you really love about Smith.