<p>Oberlin has been my first choice school for a long time; when I was accepted, I was ecstatic. I just got back from my visit, and now I'm wondering if it's what I really want. I had always heard that Obies were quirky and fun-loving, and I naively thought that that meant their definition of fun was synonymous with mine: hanging out with a small, intimate group and doing stuff besides throwing loud parties with alcohol (after attending one of those parties, I now definitely know that college parties are not my thing). I'm not saying I believe all Obies are like that, but I was just a little surprised by it (although I know it's to be expected of all colleges, no matter where you go). But...there are a good number of people at Oberlin like me, right? Who prefer quieter and more personal social activities?</p>
<p>Another thing that I worry about is if I would really fit in with the rest of the student body. I appreciate everything artistic, and I've always considered myself to be one of those quirky alternative types, but I think most Oberlin students out-quirk me. From my experience at All Roads, I've learned that there's the Oberlin students' version of alternative-bolder and more outgoing-and there's my version of alternative-subtler and less obvious. I'm sorry if this doesn't really make sense; it's hard for me to describe the difference. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Oberlin students are more open with their weirdness, ie in the way they act and such, whereas a person wouldn't get a sense of quirky from me unless they talked to me/got to know me. </p>
<p>I wonder if Grinnell would be a better fit for me (if I could get better financial aid from them)? The thing is, Oberlin has strong departments in all the things I'm interested in (mainly English and theater), and I know that Grinnell cannot necessarily say the same thing. Your input would be highly appreciated. I apologize for the obnoxious overuse of parentheses.</p>
<p>I'm just a parent, but my kid is more like you than some of the students you describe -- I can assure you that there are lots of different kinds of students at Oberlin, as there are no doubt at Grinnell. The two schools are probably more like each other socially than, say, many of the Northeast liberal arts colleges. My kid loves it at Oberlin, finds it intellectually challenging and enjoys the social life. It is easy to avoid parties you don't like, and plenty of other things to do. But you should also try to visit Grinnell if you can to get a feel for the place.</p>
<p>I second mamenyu. There are lots of kids at Oberlin who would describe themselves very much as you do. If you don't like loud parties, you don't have to attend them--students find many different ways of having fun at Oberlin. You will definitely find loud parties at Grinnell too. And if the "bolder and more outgoing" students stood out during your visit, well, that's probably because they're bolder and more outgoing. The quieter, subtler kids are definitely present in significant numbers--I would say they're actually in the majority--and in my experience they do just fine.</p>
<p>You're right about their standing out, dave72. I was discussing this with another prospie who wasn't into the partying and we both agreed that people like us, since they're a little more reserved, are sort of hard to find when you first visit.</p>
<p>I just visited Grinnell, and can back up dave72--they've got their fair share of loud, raucous parties as well (there was other stuff to do, though).</p>
<p>My sense is that All Roads doesn't have much in the way of planned activities for the prospective students -- leaving them to their hosts, who may not all be sensitive to the interests of their guests -- I would hope that Oberlin admissions will give this some attention! It is a pity to see kids turned off by a party they are taken to; it is a more valuable experience to attend classes and get a sense of how the professors and students interact (for example, at parent weekend, I was impressed by the English and Comp. Lit. courses I attended, and by a lecture I heard about a poem by Wallace Stevens (you can see that I am a former English major!) and the music rehearsals I observed), go to the art museum and see the latest exhibit, see a student play or concert -- raucous, loud parties are probably pretty much the same everywhere, but what makes Oberlin special is the learning environment.</p>
<p>Oh I enjoyed the class I visited (Comic/Animation/American Film Culture) and I was totally gung ho about going to Oberlin until the party. Our host said we were welcome to go off and do something else if we weren't interested in partying, but due to some unlucky circumstances (ie, my losing my swipecard so I couldn't go off by myself and not having any cash to pay for events), I had to stick with the group.</p>
<p>I attended All Roads as well and had a similar experience. I'm not into partying and would rather spend time chilling with a small group of friends. I would describe myself as being similar to you. But, I don't think it's fair to make a judgement on an entire student body with a small sample size. I met other prospective students who also were not into partying and seemed more "chill", so I hope that's a good omen as well. I agree with one of the above posters who stated that the boldest always stick out the most in any environment. There will be party animals at any school, but I don't think Oberlin is strictly a party school. Plus, with ~700 you're bond to find a good mix of preferences (Grinnell's student body is about ~400). You'll be fine at either school though and will find students like yourself.</p>
<p>Angel_Sushi a lot of people summed it up, but as an actual Oberlin student, I only go to parties maybe once a semester. It's funny because the party scene is almost out of my consciousness. It is there, but it is very easy to avoid (though a lot of people do like to go, especially as first years). There are always so many other things to do here that I enjoy better and so you will have many options (concerts, plays, just talking with people), though sometimes less for late at night. I have at times felt apart from the louder/outgoing thing as a rather quiet person myself, but what it comes down to is making the right friends. I really resonate with your concerns and it might be a bit tough finding the right people to hang out with at first (that happened with me), but I think that you'll be OK here!!</p>
<p>While I think what the posters say here is correct about there being all types at Oberlin, I also think Oberlin has a deserved reputation for being somewhat more agressively non-conformist than Grinnell-they take a positive pride in that 'differentness.' If you have the opportunity, you should check out Grinnell and then go with your gut. </p>
<p>Really, you can't go wrong here. Oberlin was S's second choice (after Grinnell). There were several reasons but one was that he felt just a bit less 'at home.'</p>
<p>It totally depends on the people that you hang out with. Some people go party, but that's by no means everyone. Just because those were some of the people you were with shouldn't cloud your decision.</p>
<p>Angel_Sushi I know exactly how you feel. I'm only a junior but I think I have a good sense of and feel for a bunch of schools. I too am not a fan of parties or alcohol at all, though I love running around town in small groups of people, going to shows (a.k.a. gigs, "rock music concerts"--what is rock anyways?--indie shows, what have you) and having intellectual conversations. I'm visiting next monday and hopefully there are plenty of opportunities for people who are like you and I.
However, there is one major dilemma for the more subtly artsy kids (I'm not quite sure where I fall; I have a lot more motivation than many artsy kids I know, they aren't really "doers"): should you be the quirk in the traditional, number-based school or the serious one at the artsy, free-thinking school?
In the end, I guess it is all what you make of it. I'm looking at mostly schools that value academic prestige equally with academic freedom. I am one of the few intellectuals in my large public school, and just naturally tend to be a nonconformist. But I'm worried that going somewhere too quirky will make me want to be more normal, and vice versa.
I think, however, that Oberlin seems like one of the few schools that bridge the gap; they produce real success stories and those people are probably the ones who were able to actually wield their creative minds into something useful, not the ones who excel at incoherent artistic rambling. I'm hoping to run into people who are really passionate about LEARNING, not just jaded hipster/faux-intellectuals who want to chill and say they went to Oberlin.
Hopefully this post isn't just incoherent rambling.
Anyways, the English and Fine Arts at Oberlin are fantastic--if I end up getting in I'll probably shoot for the creative writing major. You seem like the perfect type for the school, though. All of the hyper-quirky people I know are my best friends but they can be quite lazy, and all of the potential artsy types seem to be very driven and open-minded, and this school could be exactly what you are looking for.
Hope that helps</p>
<p>It most definitely depends on the people you hang out with. And a lot of all roads hosts are first and second years who, in my experience, tend to be a little rowdier in the first place (the first and second years that is, not necessarily the hosts). Granted, I'm a second year but me "partying" basically involves cooking dinner with friends, baking midnight snacks, watching movies and playing catch phrase. I've really only been to one "college" party, and that was a rugby party, so that's enough said.</p>
<p>Anyways, don't let one bad party experience throw Oberlin out the window for you. And you really only notice the "bolder" quirkier people because they're more in your face and well, bolder.</p>
<p>Well I'm glad you're attending Oberlin, but here's my two cents:</p>
<p>I've never been to a party. I never plan to go to a party. I know exactly what you mean about the quieter, subtler kind of quirky that you are - that's me, as well. I also host prospies, though, and I'm always terrified that they'll think I'm a square and think there's nothing at Oberlin to do, because my idea of socialising is sitting and talking with a couple of people, or maybe going to a performance. Usually hosts find things to do that they wouldn't be doing normally to entertain prospies :). I definitely do that.</p>
<p>"But I'm worried that going somewhere too quirky will make me want to be more normal, and vice versa."</p>
<p>oh my, I know just what you are talking about! I can't stand to see everyone jumping on the normal/mainstream bandwagon, but I can't stand to see everyone jumping on the quirky bandwagon either.
I'm probably going to go to Oberlin, so this should be interesting. Imagine me defending mainstream-ness. It's a strange idea, but it may happen.</p>
<p>BTW--do these parties of which we are speaking ever/often involve any live music? it is oberlin after all, so I'm hoping...</p>
<p>Every party I've ever gone to at Oberlin has involved live bands, or kickin good dj-ing. </p>
<p>This is the Standard Saturday Night conversation:
Obie 1: What're you doing tonight?
Obie 2: Dude, party on West Lorain. The Pianos and the Sauce are playing. You wanna come?
1: Sweet! I heard about the Diplomat CD release party on Elm. I'm going after Julie's recital.
etc...</p>