Oberlin vs Swarthmore for engineering?

I’m unable to visit the schools, so I don’t know what the environment for either is like.

Which school offers better academics?
What’s the life like (in terms of stress) for aspiring engineers at both schools?

They both have excellent academics, but I don’t think that Oberlin has an engineering major.

Swarthmore has a general engineering program, that is still Liberal Arts focused and more general than the typical engineering program.

Is there a reason that you are considering those two schools for Engineering? They are both very good schools in general, with Swarthmore considered to be academically elite, but those are two of the last schools I would consider if I was going into Engineering.

Neither.

I agree with the above, I wouldn’t choose either for engineering and Oberlin only has a 2/3 program.

Agree, if you are serious about engineering, I’d look elsewhere. Especially not Oberlin (they don’t offer the major, and 3/2 programs are problematic for reasons discussed on many other threads). What are your stats and fins oak situation? Why do you like those two schools?

One more vote for - choose other schools. We have no information about your age, grades, scores, location, financial situation, so cant help much other than to say these wouldnt be first choice for engineering.

Neither of these schools have a reputation for engineering.

Oberlin is known for liberal activism, political correctness, and their strong music conservatory.

Swarthmore is also known for it’s liberal activism and political correctness, among other things.

Both are great schools for other subjects. They are on the liberal end of the school spectrum, which may or may not bother you. But academically, your focus is on an area that isn’t their strength.

You should look at ABET accredited engineering programs (according to my spouse who is a PhD, PE, SE).

Here’s a link to find accredited programs http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx

Here’s a link about becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe

Swarthmore students have recently chosen economics (10%), biology (9%), engineering (9%) and computer science (9%) as their most common majors. Those inside Swarthmore seem to regard engineering as one of the school’s more attractive programs.

Swarthmore is ABET accredited, and while the degree is general engineering, @merc81 is correct that it is a popular major. Swat is also in the middle of a huge construction project of a new Biology, Psychology, and Engineering building. So don’t just write it off as a niche major there. https://www.swarthmore.edu/facilities-management/biology-engineering-and-psychology

If a student wanted a small school with strong engineering, there are better choices. Swat is a fabulous school. And it offers great opportunities. This poster should insider schools like Rice or Harvey Mudd.

Sigh— autocorrect. The OP should consider schools (not insider schools)

While Swarthmore’s Engineering program wouldn’t be confused with Georgia Tech’s, Stanford’s, Berkeley’s, MIT’s, Caltech’s, Michigan’s or Purdue’s, it is ABET-accredited – and that seems to be the benchmark for quality in the field. And in terms of undergraduate academic quality overall, I don’t think it gets any better than what Swarthmore offers. Not even at HYPSM, UChicago, Columbia, or at other elite LACs like Williams and Amherst. Swat’s academic rep and (we think…) quality are that lofty.

Swat’s vibe is one of academic rigor – you probably won’t be expected to work harder anywhere else, not even at UChicago or Reed, two other schools known for their rigor.

As a student at Swat, you would have the opportunity to take some classes at the other schools in the Quaker Consortium: UPenn, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr.

Oberlin is also a very good school. It doesn’t quite have Swat’s rep for rigorous academics or academic quality overall, but it is no slouch, and it’s world-class in the arts, especially in music. But the road to an Engineering degree would take longer there and be less convenient than at Swat, as it is a 3/2 program requiring you to take the actual Engineering courses at another school.

Neither is particularly known for Engineering, but they are known for their undergraduate academic quality… especially Swat, and Swat does offer the advantage of completing an Engineering degree on campus.

So between the two, I would recommend Swarthmore for Engineering.

Oberlin has faced a lot of controversy in recent years, and has had a drop in enrollment and subsequent financial challenges. Would be mindful of these concerns.

@jym626 if by recent, you mean the last 50 years, then yes Oberlin has faced controversy. I believe, this year they are oversubscribed. Oberlin got a little aggressive with their acceptance rate and their yield slipped in the past few years. Likely tried to rely too heavily on their WL to keep the acceptance rate down.

No @Eeyore123, it’s pretty obvious I don’t mean the past 50 years.

That is not consistent with the reports of several years of Oberlin’s under enrollment and missing butdget goals and having to make cuts https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/12/oberlin-faces-budget-crunch-due-missed-enrollment-targets

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/01/oberlin_colleges_new_president.html

and lawsuits https://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2018/02/another-negative-court-decision-for-oberlin-college-as-financial-woes-mount/

and sexual misconduct charges alleged against a faculty member https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/08/27/oberlin-professor-resigns-amid-investigation

and the string of issues/scandals that led to the previous president’s resignation http://www.thetower.org/3882-embattled-oberlin-president-announces-resignation-after-string-of-scandals/