Macalester or Oberlin?

lotsofquestions · 02-13-2008, 05:43 PM

My daughter, who's a high school junior, is looking into International Studies as a possible major and both Oberlin and Macalester offer this option. We're thinking of visiting one or the other in April during her vacation, but since we live in New England we're most likely going to have to choose between flying into Cleveland and seeing Oberlin (and probably Kenyon since we'll be close) or flying into Minneapolis and visiting Macalester (and probably St. Olaf and Carleton). Could anyone comment on the similarities/differences between Oberlin and Macalester? We're especially interested in the "feel" of the campuses - what are the student bodies like? She's into music (sings in an a cappella group at school), community activism, and international issues. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Katja · 02-13-2008, 06:08 PM

Sounds like we're looking at the same schools, & what I've found is that we can do a "circle trip"--meaning we can fly to Cleveland, then on to Minneapolis, & then back home and the cost is not much more than a round trip. I have a guess about how the colleges are different in terms of "feel", but can let you know after our March trip.
Kat

dntw8up · 02-13-2008, 06:23 PM

One huge difference is that Macalester is urban and Oberlin is rural. Oberlin has a conservatory, so music there is dominated by pre-professionals, whereas St. Olaf has an outstanding choir that is more open to non-music majors.

woohoo!!!!!! · 02-13-2008, 08:12 PM

well, for me, Mac was so much more appealing then oberlin. i visted both on gorgeous fall days, so the weather didn't have much sway on my opinion. at Mac, i found the students to be MUCH more happy. they actually approached me and my friends and wanted to know if we had any questions about mac, i was invited to a class by a complete stranger. Even though i hadn't been accepted, i felt wanted. Macalester also has a very strong internationalism thing going on.(i'm not sure if oberlin has the same thing.

At oberlin, i just didnt feel as happy when i left the campus as i did with mac. i went to a boring class that completely turned me off. but there is an amazing yarn store in the little down town...

my feelings about these schools have everything to do with me, both are great, well respected schools. (as i'm sure you know)

emma problema · 02-21-2008, 12:16 PM

Well, I'm applying to both schools but I've only visited Oberlin. I'm going to have to contradict, woohoo's post however because Oberlin around #1 for me and I loved visiting. If your daughter is at all excited about being involved and politically active, oberlin is great. I loved the co-ops and every single person I talked to was doing things in the community even though it's fairly rural which it doesn't even seem like. It is more "college town" than "rural".
As far as Macalester goes, if what your daughter wants is international that's a great place. That's why I'm applying. There's a great appeal to a place right off the big city with people from tons of different countries. I'm looking into an anthro major so that works really well for me. Only disadvantage: FREEZING (which I guess applies in some sense to both). But if she doesn't mind the cold and is open minded she will be happy at either. Oh, also, they are both very liberal campuses and known for good relations with gay student populations. So if she's extremely religious or conservative I'd have to say no.
But anyway, have fun on your college visits and stay overnight or your not really getting the full deal. Overnights are really good at either making or breaking the deal. Yet, at the same time, it really depends on who you're staying with. Good luck!

MidwestMom2Kids_ · 02-22-2008, 07:10 PM

I'm pretty familiar with both and they are quite different. Go for the 3-stop plane ticket - home to CLE to MSP to home. Seriously.

Oberlin and Kenyon are so different. If you like schools like say Swarthmore, Kenyon is not your cup of tea. It is a good college - nothing against Kenyon - but not a great spot for young liberals interested in international studies IMHO.

I like the neighborhood around Macalester and the bus lines along Snelling and ESPECIALLY along University that can get you to the U or M or downtown Minneapolis or downtown St. Paul in a snap. The Twin Cities get somewhat cold but it is sunny in the winter.

I really like Oberlin a lot and I think that Oberlin is better if you are trying to add music or if liberal politics are a huge part of your life. If you are Black or gay and a bit militant, you will love Oberlin. (Is that okay to say?)

From some cities you can fly to CAK (the Akron airport) instead of the Cleveland airport. Consider that if the 3-stop ticket is expensive.

My daughter's planned major didn't let her seriously consider either Oberlin or Macalester... Disappointing... I love these schools. And my son is thinking engineering. These are two of my favorites.

If you can't do all three, the Macalester/Carleton/St Olaf trip is good. St Olaf should get more consideration on CC.

lotsofquestions · 02-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I was able to use frequent flier miles to book tickets to Minneapolis during our April school vacation, so we'll be visiting Macalester, Carleton, and St. Olaf. We thought about adding a Cleveland stop to the trip but it felt like it was more time than we wanted to spend that week. Maybe another time. My daughter is so interested in International Studies at this point that we thought Macalester should be the first priority. I'm also curious about the Twin Cities area since it's a part of the country I've never visited (we live in Vermont). I'm guessing that there must be some good musical groups on the Macalester campus? Any good suggestions for hotels in the area?

ChiSquare · 02-25-2008, 09:50 AM

Hi Lotof -
I'm responding both as Mom of a D researching similar schools, and a St Paul resident. In fact, I live just a couple of blocks from Mac - I walk my dogs there. What kind of accommodations would you be looking for? Cheap, nice hotel, B&B? If you'd like to contact me privately, I can offer suggestions for your visit.

I *love* Mac. I'm disappointed that my daughter won't consider it, but it's just too darned close, which I understand. It is very liberal and very international, and the Twin Cities are a wonderful place (albeit cold) to spend a couple of years. Someone mentioned the gay acceptance - quite true. In fact, a Mac grad and friend/coworker of mine started a scholarship there for gay students.

MidwestMom2Kids_ · 02-29-2008, 02:41 PM

Hotels:
Macalester is a very short trip from the Mall of America. Really - a few in town miles and then a few freeway miles. There are a lot of nice hotels near the Mall of America. And you'd be close to the airport and close to the freeway for when you venture off to Northfield.

ThoughtProvoking · 03-11-2008, 11:47 AM

Mac is really great for International Relations/Studies. Let us know how your trips go!

collmom-08 · 04-03-2008, 07:02 PM

I am new here. S got accepted into Mac and Oberlin. He is leaning toward Mac and I am to oberlin though we have never visited both schools. Can any one give some advices? Thanks.

eyeball · 04-04-2008, 11:23 AM

My oldest child just graduated from Oberlin and my second oldest is a sophomore at Macalester. Comparison/Contrast from what I've gleaned from my kids: Both are excellent schools. Oberlin, of course, has the music thing going but my son at Macalester (who is also musical but doesn't want to major in music) has completely blossomed musically at Mac. Oberlin is a lovely campus in a fairly rural area. Cleveland isn't far but Oberlin students don't seem to go there much. There is a lot to do on campus! My son at Macalester takes a lot of advantage of the Twin Cities and really likes them. Mac is cold but my Oberlin kid said it's cold there too (and cloudy a lot). Hope this helps!

collmom-08 · 04-04-2008, 10:18 PM

Thanks,eyeball. Glad to hear from some one who can offer views from both schools. What is the atmosphere in terns of social scene?

mom958 · 04-07-2008, 07:59 PM

Eyeball,
Does your son participate in an instrumental ensemble at Mac? Please tell me about it.
I'm also interested on your comments re the social scene there.

Thanks.

banditmag · 04-14-2008, 02:21 PM

Mom958, I cannot comment on the music program but what, specifically, are you looking for in regards to the social scene at Mac? It is a typical college, lots of parties. The school does a good job of having something going on nearly every weekend such as a dance, improv show etc..