Oberlin vs. Occidental for Theater (acting)

Brillig
Sun, 16 Apr 2023 16:02:16 +0000

My daughter has some great choices among her acceptances, but it seems to be coming down mostly to either Oberlin or Occidental. Here are the considerations:

She plans to major in theater. Her main focus is acting, and she wants a rigorous acting training, but she also wants the opportunity to do and study directing and playwriting.

She loves the feel of a small school. (I worry about the limited opportunities, with less going on, at the smaller schools, but she likes the small-pond feel.)

She’s transgender, and we want to make sure she’s in a place that will be supportive and safe. Not just the campus, but the surrounding area and the state laws. (For instance, I know Oberlin is a very supportive campus, but Ohio, not so much.)

We live in Seattle, so the ability and ease of coming home is a factor.

We want her to be in a place with a diverse student body.

We’re kind of agonizing over this decision, as each school has elements she wants. If she could take Oberlin’s academics, acting program, and reputation, combined with Oxy’s location, access to opportunities beyond campus, and diversity, that would be perfect. But alas, we cannot. Here’s a list of pros & cons I started:

OBERLIN
PROS

Very good academics

Wonderful musical environment

Creative, artistic environment

Excellent reputation

Alumni network

Low cost of living

CONS

Not very diverse

In small-town Ohio

Nearest city doesn’t have a lot of cultural/other opportunities

School & students don’t seem to engage with the city much

Theater department’s connections seem to be mostly with Cleveland/Pittsburgh regional theater

Long, cold winter

OCCIDENTAL
PROS

Beautiful campus

Connections in Los Angeles, broad range of opportunities

Emphasis on study abroad

More diverse

Good academics

Daughter likes the small size

CONS

Because it’s so small, less opportunity for different friends, branching out

Theater department seems less rigorous, less focused on actor training

Seems like less happening on campus, not much evidence of student theater groups, etc.

I’ll add that one of her acceptances that we haven’t had a chance to visit is George Washington, where she was offered a Corcoran Scholarship. I’m wondering if we should try to get out there (very difficult cost-wise and schedule-wise, given that time is so short now). She isn’t a fan of their urban campus, FWIW.

If you’ve read this far, thank you! I’d love any thoughts or insight that I haven’t considered or that could tip the balance. Thanks for any input!