<p>so, I am applying to Wesleyan, Oberlin, and Vassar through the Questbridge program, and I have to rank these three schools in order of preference. Vassar is definitely number 3, but I am having trouble figuring out whether Wesleyan or Oberlin should be my first choice.</p>
<p>Wesleyan seems like it is in a town with more-to-do than Oberlin, and I think that's important to me because I come from Los Angeles, and I am used to always having something to do when I'm not in school.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I've heard that some Wesleyan students come off as really pretentious and overly politically-correct. I want to meet great people when I go to college.</p>
<p>I am definitely interested in pursuing fine arts, and I know both schools are artistically-leaning, but can anybody evaluate the quality of the art programs individually?</p>
<p>but it sounds like oberlin then wesleyan would be a match.
otherwise i would have said,
vassar(only because you can go to nyc on the weekends and it's very artsy)
oberlin
wesleyan</p>
<p>oberlin has a music conservatory. wesleyan's music scene is more free-floating and diverse. Everyone seems to play an instrument. Both Wesleyan and Vassar have excellent Film studies programs (though, personally, I would give the edge to Wesleyan.) I think all three would be fine in terms of studio art, art history and dance.</p>
<p>Oberlin's art museum is widely regarded as among the top five college/university museums in the country. And it's debatable whether there's more to do in Middletown than in Oberlin--most people I know think there's always more going on in Oberlin than one person could possibly ever take advantage of. It's definitely not a city, but you don't need a city to find lots to do.</p>
<p>Both schools attract excellent, intellectual students. But Oberlin is a college and it's more focused on art/music. Wesleyan is a university and is more politically oriented, and while I don't know what you mean by "PC", I can tell you it's very very liberal. I don't know much about Oberlin's setting. I do know that for a person from Los Angeles Wesleyan will feel 'out in the middle of nowhere.' But considering it's fairly close to NYC, what does that matter? ;)</p>
<p>If you can, you should try to visit one or more of these schools. Academics at all three are excellent, and all three are "liberal" and "artsy." But each has its own distinctive "feel." At the very least, explore their websites. None is in a city or, as a practical matter, all that close to one. You will probably find more than enough to do that is stimulating and fun and any one of them.</p>
<p>ls47, I would give the edge to Wesleyan. The students are overtly politically correct, but in a positive and friendly sense.</p>
<p>I would rate all three of these schools as good for art history, but only Wesleyan as focused on studio art. If you're looking for studio art in a small LAC setting I'd suggest Williams, Hamilton, Kenyon, Skidmore, Conn College. Smith if you are female.</p>
<p>Now, the urban part is somewhat problematic for just about every one of those colleges in the above list. Will you be able to visit to see for yourself how you feel about the location?</p>
<p>Williams has an excellent art studio + art history program and three world-class museums on or near campus. Whether your LA sensibilities would thrive or wither in the bucolic setting is a question only you could answer, but for sure you'd make great art-world connections.</p>
<p>Might I suggest Haverford? They just joined Questbridge this year, but the school is a great addition. It's located just outside of Philadelphia. It as a very, very good studio art and photography program. The College also has a unique cooperative relationship with Bryn Mawr, and HC students can major in BMC's world-renown history of art program. Access to all the wonderful arts that Philadelphia has to offer.</p>
<p>Haverford is a good suggestion. My son eliminated it because he didn't like the idea of schlepping to BMC for art history, but no doubt but that Haverford has an excellent studio program.</p>
<p>Between Wesleyan and Oberlin -- as noted above, Oberlin has a world-class small art museum (I don't know of anything comparable at Wesleyan or Haverford; Cleveland also has a major art museum) and excellent art history faculty; studio art is moving into new, bigger studio space this year.</p>