My child, who is interested in studying theater, is considering these two schools – any one accepted to these schools and who chose one over the other want to give feedback on why you chose which school, and how it all worked out for you?
Do not know the specifics about the theater department at either school, but if all other things are equal, Wesleyan’s proximity to NYC might give it an edge.
We visited both and my daughter applied to both - interested in studying theater (she got into Northwestern ED and rescinded her apps.) I think if she’d gotten into both, she would’ve gone to Wesleyan. Stronger academics and what seemed to be a little more of a vibrant theater community. She liked Oberlin a lot but it’s location left something to be desired as well. Does your child feel that either is a better fit? Wesleyan has a mix of the preppy/jock vibe and artsy/quirky whereas Oberlin definitely leans more artsy/quirky.
Thank you for your comment - helpful.
I have a thespian family member on her way to Wesleyan in the fall! There was no other option in her eyes. I can’t speak to Oberlin, but I can say that I’ve heard a LOT about the virtues of Wesleyan’s theater program and have been very impressed. Both excellent schools; congratulations. Good luck to your daughter as she makes her choice!
Wesleyan has vibrant summer stock theater nearby at several venues with seasons that last up to 8-9 months. Sometimes there are opportunities for non-equity people to get involved with productions. It would be a good question to pose to a Wesleyan rep to ask if there are ever opportunities for students at places like Godspeed Opera House, Terris Theater, or Ivoryton Playhouse.
FWIW–I know one person who was from NYC and attended Oberlin for its theater program – found it great. But that’s just one person’s perspective, esp as this person knew they were coming back to NYC to live. They didn’t require the NYC connection as much as others perhaps
You also might want to research the schools’ respective financial conditions. Their endowments are similar (Wes with a small edge), but I thought I heard that Oberlin had some financial issues in the past few years, including a budget deficit. If so, any such problems will be made worse by COVID-19.
I am unsure from your post if you have visited both schools and I can provide a little insight - (basically opinions), as my daughter visited Oberlin and Wes this past February, along with 5 other schools.
She visited Oberlin first and wasn’t introduced or interviewed by anyone with a connection to theater. (her interest too). She attended a class, ate lunch with a student and interviewed. The town had several former retail buildings boarded up and seemed “sad” along with some campus building also in need of TLC. My husband walked away from this tour thinking that if she remained interested in this school (it is off her list), he would dig deeper into their financial picture. (all pre-covid too). Her tour was very geared toward a lot of political correct behaviors on campus and “how it will be hard when we leave here”. One of her good friends toured a week later and the school remains on her list - so always good to visit! It is just not a right fit for my daughter and the purpose of this trip was for her to start to shorten her list.
She also visited Kenyon and had the opposite experience. At lunch with 8 theater kids, tour guide introduced her to other students and the professor from the class had her actively participate. Tiny town with nice coffee shop and a few other options plus more foot traffic. Well maintained campus and very friendly students.
For Wes, the town is walkable with a distinct downtown. Students and local families are out and about and even though access to NYC takes a bit of coordination - the option exists. The tour was full, so not a lot of individual attention at any of the New England schools she visited - but the guide was engaged. A current Wes sophomore that attended my daughter’s current school HS met her for lunch and took her around a bit more after the standard tour. The tour guide mentioned they always have one “big protest” a year and students are very politically aware. She left Wes feeling like she would be surrounded by creative students and have lots of options for involvement in the arts. The students did feel a bit more “edgy” (her word) vs more “laid back” at Oberlin. The current Wes student from her HS did say it can be hard to get classes fresh/soph year and if you are not proactive - you will have to take several classes that you are not interested in to meet your credits.
Is you daughter also thinking about Vassar ?
Again, just opinions of a 17 year old and so happy she was able to visit these schools in February. Now waiting to figure out when/if she can see the last few on her list before ED next Fall.
Wishing your daughter well in her search - love these theater kids 
For those of you who considered Oberlin and Wesleyan and are interested in theater and the arts, did you also visit Vassar, any of the Five College Consortium schools, Carleton or Macalaster?
@coffeeat3 Funny, my kid visited Wes, Oberlin, and Kenyon and had completely different impressions and personal rankings. It shows how campus visits are important and choice is subjective!
@curiousmom78 Both schools are excellent for theater. Campus vibe is also pretty similar. Are there meaningful differences with respect to price, ease of getting there, etc? My kid enrolled at Oberlin for many reasons, one of which was a merit scholarship. Message me if you have any more questions.
As someone who lives in Ohio, as a graduating high school senior, Oberlin has had a really bad reputation over the past couple of years. I would heavily consider Kenyon over Oberlin if you have interest in coming here.
I’m sure it has a bad reputation among conservatively leaning folks, related to the well-publicized episode involving shoplifting, the school reaction to it, and the trial ending with a huge monetary award against the college.
Is this relevant to the discussed topic? I’m not sure. But I think it is a little gossipy to say “bad reputation” without any specifics whatsoever, isn’t it?
By the way, my wife and daughter visited Oberlin. They were very impressed with the personal attention they received, how easy it was to talk to professors who interested D, and with classes she attended.
Kenyon has a much higher percentage of very wealthy kids. It is far less socioeconomically diverse than other schools mentioned in this thread. For kids in that demographic, it is a more comfortable choice.
@InterLoki - My daughter has Vassar high on her list, but has not visited yet and no touchpoints. ie: Vassar didn’t visit her high school or present in our area, cancelled tour due to Covid and no virtual info sessions scheduled plus we don’t know any current student. This will be her first trip in the Fall - if school is back in session along with touring Brown. She also looked at Wellesley for creative writing and theater and it remains on her list. She has removed Wesleyan for a myraid of reasons - some valid, some not.
She did tour Carleton and Macalester in the Fall and had met the reps previously at her high school, knows a few people at both from our area and Carleton is still at the top of her list. She loves the little town of Northfield and even though the area around Mac is wonderful, she didn’t seem to care about having access to shops and more restaurants. For me, I thought it would be a great place to visit for parent’s weekend - but my opinion is not highly sought out
I think the shiny arts building at Carleton made a big impression and Mac just seemed too small - I don’t think student count wise, but the footprint of the school. Carleton felt more like a “typical” east coast LAC, tree lined paths, building design and the trimester calendar appealed to my daughter too.
We also had a low energy tour guide at Mac and a very high energy guide at Carleton - we know that is not the best way to judge - but for a 17 year old it can’t be helped. Also, we had a very domineering parent on our Mac tour (it was only 3 families). Our area rep from Mac is wonderful and he reached out for feedback after our tour. My daughter did sit into a theater class and loved it - but she is that kind of kid.
She did not get as much personal insight into the creative arts at either school compared to Kenyon and Oberlin. The Carleton tour was big and if it remains on her list, she will need to dig deeper into the creative side. Carleton assigned the mandatory freshman seminar class to attend vs letting you pick.
I keep thinking Vassar will fit the “just right” piece. Hoping not Brown, as the odds of admittance are slim with no hook except being a strong student and an all around nice kid.
Sorry to hijack this tread and veer away from the original - but not sure how else to answer your question.
@coffeeat3: Based on your daughter’s interest in creative writing, she may want to consider schools from these articles:
https://contently.net/2014/11/06/resources/10-best-colleges-creative-writers/amp/
https://www.flavorwire.com/409437/the-25-most-literary-colleges-in-america
Thank you - she has visited several on those 2 lists, eliminated some and really likes a couple. She also has no interest in my alma mater or my husbands (both on that list) to apply ED for legacy consideration. She will not change her mind and I agree that both of those schools are not really her vibe.
She has a pretty good list with a couple reaches, targets and 2 schools that let in a larger number of applicants. A couple more to visit and she would like to apply ED to one - but may be hard if she doesn’t get to visit in the Fall. She will be fine and it is me feeling like I am missing out on the time with her to look at schools - but we are all healthy and she is excited about going away so I shouldn’t complain!
Your daughter sounds nicely decisive in her preferences, @coffeeat3. Wishing your family continued good health throughout her search!
Wesleyan’s deadline for making a deposit was May 1st. Is the OP still looking for advice?