@mtrosemom what were her stats to get in there it kind of seems amazing to be one of 40 kids. What GPA is needed to keep the scholarship?
** Oberlin campus report: **
We drove to Oberlin from Kenyon through Amish country, via Millersburg and Wooster. If you like pretty farm country and antiquing, this is a great region. It’s a two-lane rural 55 MPH highway but moves pretty quickly as most towns involve only slowing down, not stopping. We did take time to drive by the Wooster campus. Alas the dance offerings seem too limited for D17, but it has a lot to offer academically and we were sorry to see it move down the list. We decided not to do a formal tour but poked around a bit. The campus is beautiful and expansive with most of the buildings in a unified style built from the local yellow stone. It is nicely landscaped with lots of mature trees. The college is located maybe 1-1.5 miles from the downtown, separated by a residential area. The downtown area is cute with coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries, antique shops, churches, etc.
The population of Oberlin is about 10,000 (without the students) and the downtown consists of restaurants, coffee shops, antique shops, galleries, a ballet company (!), and basic services, all picturesque not not crossing the line into impossibly precious. Hospital and IGA supermarket within an easy distance. There is a large park, Tappan Square, that serves as the interface between community and campus. Campus is a mix of architectural styles with mature trees. Leafy residential neighborhoods with late 19th to mid 20th century architecture abound. There is a campus-owned arboretum consisting of a small pond ringed with trails and a very good art museum. The area is very walkable/bikeable. The local restaurants were good and reasonably priced. There are Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, Asian Fusion, pub style, and multiple vegetarian/vegan options, all fairly priced for students.
The Oberlin information session rose above the norm. The admissions officer spoke about Oberlin’s more unique qualities (historic commitment to inclusion, political activism, and environmentalism, the structured Winter term, passionate and engaged students, varied and abundant music scene associated with the conservatory, etc.) A student provided her perspective on study abroad and other aspects of her college experience. She seemed very genuine and unpretentious. The presentation felt relaxed and less scripted than others I have seen.
The campus tour was good - our student guide was a two-season athlete, clog-wearing vegan from Massachusetts. She was a nice, articulate girl who clearly loves her school and takes advantage of what it has to offer. Most of the tour took place outdoors but we did get to see a “typical” dorm room – about average – and the “living machine” - a greenhouse full of jungle vegetation that filters water for non-potable use in their state of the art environmental science center. Families were split among a few tour guides so there was only one other family in our group. It was easy to hear and get personalized information. The science facilities look great. The library lacks charm (at least the part we saw) but is functional.
The interview with a student was non-evaluative and my daughter enjoyed it. They chatted for a bit more after its conclusion and the student from the information session came out of her office and joined us. All of the students we met were smart, well-spoken, and down to earth.
Cleveland is about 45 minutes away and there are also Mega Buses that go to Chicago and New York, if one wants to do an urban trip farther afield.
My kid was beaming the entire time. Rarely have I seen her so relaxed and happy. Yes, I am aware of the recent PC/safe space controversies on campus. For the moment, that’s the only potential down side I see.
@itsgettingreal17 wrote: “I wish colleges would stop telling students not to worry about the money…”
But the marketing is soooo clever, isn’t it? Don’t worry about the cost. Our university is worth it! You’ve worked hard! If you earn a spot in our incoming class, you’ll find a way to make it work!
There was collective Kool-Aid drinking during application season last year, and I will admit to falling under the drunken spell for several days. Huh, how much can I get for this kidney?
I swear, the guidance counselor at D16’s school seemed out of touch re: financial restraints. Ditto most of D’s peers. Ditto my husband’s business partner (hullo! you know what we make!). And ditto others in the peanut gallery.
Stay strong Parents of HS Class of 2017! Stick to your budget!
^^But I just cut nice little windows in the box the refrigerator came in-that’s our next house. 
Man, I’m getting nervous about our trip to Pitt on Friday/Saturday. How can I live up to recent campus visit reports? They seem to be getting more detailed. @mamaedefamilia yours are nicely packaged. So, we stopped by Oberlin on a frigid February day, so I’m thinking “PC spaces” refers to “Pretty Cold” spaces?
@2muchquan I firmly believe that you will find the hilarity somewhere in the trip report and that it will be awesome on its own merits.
Ok, I am procrastinating on my final project so I’m going to go put myself in a digital corner.
Summer activities here are much the same as the past couple summers with DS training and competing in his sport and working in his research lab every day. One exciting development is that he recently learned the paper on which he is coauthor was accepted for publication. No summer camps here.
He has plugged along on some essays, including the Common AP essay which is thankfully done, and with approval by his GC. She wasn’t so thrilled about the UChicago essay however which is essentially being scrapped.
Tomorrow we head out on our last foray east to clarify which if any SCEA or ED apps will happen. Hopefully feelings can be confirmed, one way or the other.
Oh, and one note on Kenyon, DS did a sports camp there a few years ago and loved the physical character of the campus buildings…kind of a mini Princeton…agree with the Hogwarts analogy with the dining hall…even had a memorable magnificent “whomping willow” (in truth actually a grand weeping european beech).
yes, @2muchquan - We are too lazy to make college trips, so waiting for your report on PITT, just kidding 
Have a good trip. My friend is visiting in second week and I have asked him to get info on Bioinformatics (He is also an IS/IT guy). By that time, we will have our application in, but good to have the information.
We are gearing up for our east coast college touraganza beginning this Friday. Smith, Wesleyan, Brown, Wellesley, Holyoke, etc. She will have already done Amherst, U Mass and Hampshire as part of her Smith summer program. I will try to provide visit reports for those who want them. I will have to write stuff down anyway to keep them from all blurring together by the end. Thankfully I have friends in the area who have offered a place stay! That will make the visit much more affordable and fun. Anyone on this board have specific things they want to know about any of these colleges? Let me know.
Other than the summer program at Smith she’s at now, my D17 hasn’t done any summer programs. She worked last year for a landscaping business and swam swim team the previous two summers. We also raise hogs for 4H and show them at the county fair, which also kind of counts as a summer job in my book. Frankly the idea of summer programs never really entered my head until about March of this year. I think she’s enjoyed her time at Smith (was in the Young Women’s Writing Program for two weeks, and now in the College Admissions prep week). I mostly value the experience she’s had of living at a college, navigating a relatively big (for us) town/city and making a couple of good friends. She needed to expand her horizons and realize what’s out there. So, mission accomplished, I think!
I feel like I’ve raised hogs sometimes.
@2muchquan No idea what that means, but you really made me laugh hard. Thanks, I needed that.
@TimEnchanter – good luck on the wisdom teeth - my DS is getting them out i a couple of weeks – send any tips you have our way - we have the blender ready too.
D had wisdom teeth taken out earlier this year. Cue the Netflix and the couch and good luck to all the kids getting them out! It went really smooth for D thank goodness. Our oral surgeon is a wise wise man and sends home anti-nausea meds in a little packet (don’t even have to go to the pharmacy). D had a few bites of applesauce, mashed potatoes, 1/2 Phenergan and then a pain pill and she was sleeping “the best sleep of my life.” :)) .
It is it pathetic to say I actually enjoyed our time together? For a full three days she did nothing but sleep, watch movies and just relax. It was soooooo nice!
@carachel2 It breaks our hearts when our kids aren’t feeling well, but there’s something nice to be said about their mushy, needy, snuggly, calm personalities when they are under the weather.
Senior yearbook pics came back. So hard to choose. She picks each one apart.
Well, DD finished her second application today! Nice to have 2 done. Now we wait for the LOR’s and Transcripts to be sent in…I am sure the LOR’s will not happen until September at the earliest and I am still hoping that our GC office will have official transcripts ready next week. I am not holding my breath, but it would be nice. I just want my DD to get into her first choice and be done with this.
It’s just starting!! =)) What will you do without us??
Has anyone signed up for collegeessayorganizer upgrade services?
We haven’t started working on the applications at all.
My goal is 12-14 schools.
My worry is that after the first few apps, S17 will declare Done with this $#!%. ^#(^
Filling app order will become very important in what schools stay in the List and not. 8-X
@carachel2 – did you D have the gas or was she fully knocked out? My S14 is having two removed next month with just the gas.