I have to decide between two schools in 10 days. Please help!

<p>“Despite this question being posted dozens of times, I have yet to see any thread with substance.”</p>

<p>I’m not sure what you’re expecting from College Confidential. You’ve elected to create this make-or-break decision, that only you can decide. Grinnell and Oberlin share a lot in common. You could find ardent defenders of either college, but what will that answer? Presumably, you’ve visited both schools, combed through their websites, and talked with as many people about the two colleges as you can find. Think about what attracts you to each college and try to prioritize what’s really important to you.</p>

<p>I don’t have first-hand experience with Grinnell (and this is in no way meant to knock it). However, there is an obvious difference in location. While both are in rural communities, the suburbs of Cleveland are now pretty close to Oberlin. Oberlin is a small town, but it is not isolated. Having two kids go to colleges far away from home, I can tell you that taking flights home, making connections, especially in bad weather, or during busy holiday periods, can be expensive, prolonged and really stressful. Getting rides and flights home from Oberlin,(the Cleveland airport is about a 35 minute ride from campus), was pretty easy. On at least one occasion, students banded together to hire a bus to take them to NYC to come home for a break. From there, it was easy for kids from the east coast to get bus or train connections home. </p>

<p>Oberlin is a dynamic and creative place - in part that’s due to the Conservatory. It has great academics and a thriving art scene. But in the end you have to decide.</p>