Is my child making the right choice? He loved Ithaca Park school when we visited. He was set on attending, was accepted with substantial scholarship making it close to in state tuition at public university. He thinks he wants to study film but applied to Park Pathways to explore. He also applied to Oberlin because I thought it would also be a good fit for his interests and personality. I did not think he would get accepted. Well he did! Oberlin offered him 27k in scholarship but price is still 62k. To me Oberlin is a more well known school with more prestige. He loves Ithaca and especially loved the tour of the Park school. He wants to go to Ithaca. Will he regret not choosing Oberlin? Anyone here who chose Park school over another school please let me know how you feel after your decision. I am ok with him choosing Ithaca I just dont want him regretting his decision. Are the students at Park intellectual? He is not interested in sports or greek life mostly film, history maybe business. Not a partier.
Is he an incoming first year, or transfer student? If incoming first year, did he apply ED to Oberlin? (Thatās the only round of admission at Oberlin where incoming first years have their results at this point.)
I would strongly recommend he visit Oberlin, it is a āfitā school. What I mean by that, is that the school generally appeals to certain students more so than others and a visit will help clarify this. Oberlin has one cinema and media major, while Ithaca has several majors in this area, including a Film BFAā¦is that the program he thinks he might ultimately do at Ithaca? Ithaca is an elite film school, and IMO that program is stronger than Oberlinās (not that Oberlinās cinema and media major is bad or weak.) How does Ithacaās price compare to Oberlinās? Are they both affordable?
He did not apply ED but they sent a letter saying since you applied early we are giving decision early. I think he submitted his application in October or maybe November. He has yet to visit.
With the merrit he received Ithak is approximately 36K and Oberlin is 62K.
Iām even more confused. If your student is an incoming freshmanā¦Ithaca has only early action with decisions released about February 1.
Soā¦how do you know the admissions results from Ithaca?
I am writing to say that Ithaca has already released EA decisions for some applicants. My son was also admitted to Ithaca early with generous merit.
So what kind of decision did the student get from Oberlin? Is it a regular decision that was just sent earlyā¦or what?
To the OP, what does your son want? You said you thought Oberlin would be better for him, but what does he think. He has to be there for four years. Does he prefer Ithaca?
This is general advice, but I would look very closely at the financials of any small LAC. Look at any news from the last couple of years, and compare endowments and endowment trends.
He just sent his applications in early I have no idea why Oberlin and Ithaca both sent him acceptances this past weekend. He has yet to visit Oberlin. Ithaca is 3.5 hour drive, Oberlin is a 12 hour drive or a short flight. He wants Ithaca because he felt like those were his people when we attended the open house. He was especially impressed with the tour of the Park School. I will probably make him visit Oberlin just to see it but he seems pretty set on Ithaca.
I recommend visiting Oberlin before making any decisions. Then let him choose what he feels fits him best.
He absolutely should visit Oberlin before making his decision. But it sounds like Ithaca was his choice anyway. So congratulations to him.
I would make sure he didnāt apply ED to Oberlin. I have not heard of them sending out early RD notices, especially around the same time as ED notifications.
Regardless, I also recommend a visit for the reasons I listed above. An Ithaca film degree is top tier, if that is part of your issue. Overall, Oberlin has students of higher stats on average but their film program is different and not as well regarded as Ithacaās. Ithaca has plenty of smart, intellectual students.
He definitely did not apply ED. The acceptance letter says āWhile we typically release Regular Decision results in March, you are part of a select group of applicants receiving this early notification because you completed your application well in advance of our deadline.ā
You mean did not apply ED?
Thats kind of what I wanted to hear. That there will be other smart intelectual students.
Right he did NOT apply ED.
I think both places are āfit schoolsā. Ithaca a tiny bit less just because Ithaca itself is more of a college town with Cornell so there are more social/arts/volunteer opportunities.
So visiting Oberlin-- if the finances are workable- should be part of the decision-making. Some kids love it, some kids say āNot for meā after spending a day on campus.
Wil your son choose Ithaca? Is he accepted to Park?
Neither of these schools have any financial issues.
He applied Park Pathways and thatās what he was accepted to.