<p>Reading the EA thread and other threads, I got curious: what other schools are you considering in addition to Ohio Wesleyan? Also, what are the pros and cons of each against Wesleyan as you see them as of now?</p>
<p>My daughter applied EA to Washington College (MD) in addition to OWU. She also applied RD to Wesleyan University, Lafayette College, Kenyon and the College of William and Mary. Her top choice changes weekly, which is a positive in that she can envision herself happily attending any of the schools she applied to. I would defer to her the task of answering your second question. However, she has studiously avoided CC so you won't be hearing from her.</p>
<p>I would say that her biggest concern about OWU at the moment is that she won't be able to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology there. The other schools on her list all give the option of either the B.A. or the B.S. She understands that she can take the same courses at OWU that would be required to earn the B.S. at one of the other schools, but she is concerned that the lack of the B.S. might prove an impediment when she applies to medical/veterinary/graduate school. Do you have any idea why OWU's science departments only offer the B.A.?</p>
<p>Other serious schools? Kenyon, which is her #1 choice at the moment and Oberlin. She will go to one of the three. As this is the OWU forum, I’ll differentiate OWU from the other schools.</p>
<p>Pros about Kenyon and Oberlin: they are absolute literate schools that will challenge her in all ways. Gambier and Oberlin are absolute ivory towers. I think she would thrive academically at either place. She relishes high expectations. As she would not be near the top of either of those classes (based on test scores and the profiles of the tour guides and student interviewers ,) she would be part of a vibrantly bright thinking community. Gambier and Oberlin would be nicer places to live than Delaware. They are downright beautiful campuses. Also, no one goes home on weekends. Not so sure I could say the same for OWU. </p>
<p>Pros about Ohio Wesleyan: Being at the top of a class can get you noticed for internships and research opportunities in a way that she might not be at the other schools. There is absolute school spirit at OWU; something I think she would miss at the other institutions (although Oberlin seems to have a bit more than Kenyon, as their students actually go to games.) They offer extremely good scholarships. There will be little external academic pressure. She inflicts so much on herself that a lower pressure environment could help let her focus on learning and not on achievement. Honors seminars that look like they would be engaging and fun. The honor's dorm is very nice, and there are work out facilities just across the street from where she would live.</p>
<p>Cons about Kenyon and Oberlin: Expense even BEFORE considering that graduate school will come after the BA. Adjusting to NOT being the “best and brightest” because everyone is. D does not consider herself a writer; although she is a good writer, she does not like writing. Kenyon is a writer’s school. Con with Oberlin: music at Oberlin is quite serious; D needs it to be fun. She will get great music opportunities at Kenyon or OWU.</p>
<p>Con with OWU: Biggest con is that she knows some of the kids admitted to the school for her class. One received a very good merit scholarship. D’s comment on finding that out was, “ If __ got THAT much money, do I REALLY want to go there?” I have to agree. I am a bit concerned that she will not be academically challenged. There is something to be said about reaching for the top of the class.</p>
<p>Ideally, take Kenyon's campus, facilities and classes, Oberlin's politics and embrace of individual difference... combine it with the scholarships available at OWU.... put her at the 75th percentile and life would be perfect.</p>
<p>I am not sure what to make out of the last comment. To be honest, it seems somewhat superficial (or maybe acadademically elitist...not sure what exactly it is supposed to convey?) to me to be judging someone without mentioning anything else about his application, character, EC, athletic record or talents. Rest assured the OWU discount rate (basically taking the percent of tuition paid once all merit aid is taken into account is 48% this year) is pretty comparable to that at Denison, Wooster and Kenyon. At Oberlin, if I recall the percent is in the low 40%s but then the percent of students on Pell grants at Oberlin is higher than Denison's, Wooster's and OWU's, so the substituion between different sources of aid makes up for it.</p>
<p>This is a bit off-topic but this thread seems to have a good bit of knowledge about some of the schools my son has applied to (OWU, Wooster, Kenyon, Denison). We're trying to plan a trip to re-visit several but it occurs to me it'd be nice to know first where he has (or hasn't) been accepted. He had complete applications (common app + supplements + high school report + teacher recs) in to all of them by 1/15. Will he really not hear until 4/1? Anybody out there know? (I was pleasantly surprised to hear from Wabash that they'll send out a letter by 1/31, even though he applied RD.)</p>
<p>My son is a soph at OWU. When he applied he heard from OWU in early Dec., Wooster in early Feb., Denison in late Feb. and Kenyon in mid-March. Accepted to all of them :) Good luck</p>