Want to Know More about Oberlin

<p>Have they accepted Jan SAT results before? I did take the Dec SAT but with my 2100, I am kinda unsure of my chances. Do u people think the competition is stiffer this year?</p>

<p>Noir.stork
U are taking neuroscience right? So can u like give me a general outline how is the typical course is, wht kind of classes u take, how heavy the course load is? And if possible a typical day of a neuroscience student.
I read tht Obi's neuroscience is one of the best, is tht true? Is there any part of the course where we are required to work with live animals? I know tht is a weird question, but I saw a neuroscience website where the students are doing experimentations with live animals so I was wondering.</p>

<p>SkyGal-</p>

<p>While I'm not a major, I have taken neuroclasses and live with 3 neuro majors. So, neuro classes can go from "regular" to "oh-jeez-i'm-gonna-die." Depends on the professor. Intro Neuro (201 or 204) is a big class, and not too hard if you know how to study for exams. Intro Neuro Lab is an easy, fun lab. You bond with your rat, you do ICSS, you do marvelously. Otherwise, classes are about 20 people, with good teachers and difficult exams. I've heard neuroanatomy is hella tricky, but Braford, the prof, is adorable. Labs are long and intense, but teach students how to do research, both designing experiments and carrying through, often with very sensitive materials.
Honors projects, which require hours and hours of work, may lead to publishing, and give students real experience for grad school. The senior seminar is, basically, a grad school course.</p>

<p>Labs, which are required, do use live animals (rats, mice, snails). If you have moral qualms about that, it's <em>really</em> hard to do research. </p>

<p>Average neuro student's day?
9:00 Wake up.
10:00 Neuroanatomy with Braford
12:20 Lunch at Keep! om nom nom!
1:30 Islamic Perspectives with Mahallati
2:30 Abnormal Psychology with Porterfield, learn about OCD
4:30 Go to the gym, lift heavy things
5:40 Shower, do Abnormal Psych reading
6:20 Dinner at Keep! Om nom nom!
7:00 Swing Dance Exco
9:00 Work on anatomy at Azaria's cafe (coffee!), color in the pituitary (anterior-pink, posterior-blue), do Islamic Perspective readings, swing dance with Possible Significant Other in lounge. Check obiemail. Check gmail. Eat a pear.
12:30 Argue with your roommate about poetry and linguistics. Listen to Radiohead, fall asleep.</p>

<p>Noir.stork,
Thanks for answering my questions! I can't wait to start college right now :). I don't have moral qualms working with live animals, its more like getting a bit scared when dealing with live animals. I have to get over my fears I guess, because I really want to study neuroscience :)</p>

<p>A college student day sounds great! I love Radiohead too!</p>

<p>SkyGirl-</p>

<p>No prob. In Intro Lab, there's bonding time with your rat, so it trusts you before you do wacky stuff to its brain. Most neuro students I know have some moral qualms, especially if they do research with a lot of...er... killing. Fortunately, there isn't too much of that in Oberlin labs. In most lab groups, one partner takes the lead in surgery, while the other documents data. So, you might be paired up with a surgeon-type... though to do research, you will need to (I think), learn to be cool with it.</p>

<p>Awesome! They're the all-around Oberlin favorite.</p>

<p>Hope to see you soon!</p>

<p>Does anyone know when admission starts to make their decisions? This month or next month?</p>