<p>I know this may seem like choosing between apples and oranges - and in many ways it is! - but this is what my son is down to: Tufts engineering and Oberlin. He's interested in Computer Science, Physics and Chemistry - a typical math and science kid from birth - but also loves history, politics etc. As such he applied to LAC's with good CS/ science programs and medium LAC-like universities. The best two acceptances are Tufts and Oberlin.</p>
<p>He doesn't really care about location - he says it's all about the people and the academics. He's a quiet and quirky with a subversive sense of humor and a bright analytical mind. My feeling is that Tufts might be a better academic fit (more tech courses) while Oberlin might be a better social fit. If so, social fit is probably the winner here, as it's the key ingredient to his happiness. We'll know more when we visit both this month, but in the meatime, I'd love some input on the campus culture/ students at Tufts and Oberlin?</p>
<p>My IR guy is quiet and quirky with a subversive sense of humor and a bright analytical mind, so he might fit right in. I have not been to Oberlin, but my sense is that there is perhaps a little more of a mindset about being a bit quirky, while there is more variety at Tufts. My son’s freshman year roommate who was in engineering gave the impression of being a surfer dude type. Liked soft rock had a guitar. His closest friends seem to be internationals from all over the globe, or pre-meds double majoring in IR and planning to work on global health issues. My son felt Tufts was a place where no one would care if his hair was shoulder length which it was (he cut it for his junior year abroad sadly.) I’d say if there’s any type at Tufts, it’s that there’s a notion you can start changing the world now, you don’t have to wait till you have graduated. It’s a bit more action oriented and a bit less theoretical than some schools. Has he visited both? Because if it’s all about the social fit that is what I’d recommend.</p>
<p>Personally I’d much rather be in Boston than in a more rural location.</p>
<p>I would say Tufts is the better choice for your son. He can major in engineering and either do a second major or minor in whatever interests him. I feel pretty confident that such an approach would put him in a far better position to have a good job after college than going to Oberlin.
Also, there really is no comparison in terms of location. If he likes the idea of an LAC campus, and is content to stay in that community, then Oberlin is fine. But if he wants the option of an LAC atmosphere or venturing into a really fun and exciting urban area, then Tufts is the much better choice on that front as well.</p>
<p>Obviously, he’s not going to go wrong, and an overnight at each school might clarify things.</p>
<p>I was an engineer with a second major in the liberal arts; several engineers likewise had a second major or minor, in a totally unrelated field. </p>
<p>The job opportunities available for computer engineers are not the same as they are for chemists and physicists. If I could do it all over again, had any aptitude at all for EE - i.e. my lab group wasn’t the one there poking at a breadboard like fish hitting their heads against the aquarium glass - I would be a EE. In a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Oberlin is a fine fine school, however, given all factors, as mentioned above, i would choose Tufts…</p>
<p>Don’t mean to be dense, but why would he be in such a better position in terms of getting a job after graduation at Tufts?</p>
<p>I’m also more of an engineering/science guy who wants the liberal arts experience, and Tufts is my top choice right now. I think the balance between LA/eng is much better at Tufts than smaller LACs like Swarthmore and Oberlin. The engineering school is (obviously) bigger here because the school is bigger, which means there is a lot more class diversity in selection. As far as social-fit goes, Tufts seems really laid back, far more so than Oberlin which felt kind of pretentious to me.</p>
<p>Well the results are in and my son chose Oberlin. As predicted it was about fit with campus culture. Both were great but Oberlin just felt like a better social fit. Besides, my son was ditched by his overnight host, who left to go to a frat orientation. And then ditched by his roommate, and left to wander with a group of prospies that were also on their own! A strange and not very friendly experience. In any case, he’s happy - especially as he found out Oberlin has a much stronger CS department than he expected. In the end we decided that as a CS majors he’s relatively employable and can take the risk of going to a LAC if he wants.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your son–glad that he’s happy with his choice!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I’m giving a death-ray parental glare to those horrid overnight hosts. Grrrr! :mad:</p>
<p>Oh Dear! </p>
<p>I am a Tufts alum that is in the computer industry, and your son will be fine with his choice.</p>
<p>Tufts offers one of the top CS programs in the country along with a LAC feel (see parts of my Northwestern post). It is too bad that we were not able to convey that feel on the visit.</p>
<p>Thanks for reporting back.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>As an alum, it bothers me that the overnight hosts did such a poor job of representing Tufts! Did you consider reporting it to the admissions office? Maybe there needs to be enhanced screening of hosts or better training or better monitoring or something???</p>