Tufts vs. Oberlin

jennigarden
Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:55:00 +0000

I know this may seem like choosing between apples and oranges - and in many ways it is! - but this is what my son is down to: Tufts engineering and Oberlin. He’s interested in Computer Science, Physics and Chemistry - a typical math and science kid from birth - but also loves history, politics etc. As such he applied to LAC’s with good CS/ science programs and medium LAC-like universities. The best two acceptances are Tufts and Oberlin.

He doesn’t really care about location - he says it’s all about the people and the academics. He’s a quiet and quirky with a subversive sense of humor and a bright analytical mind. My feeling is that Tufts might be a better academic fit (more tech courses) while Oberlin might be a better social fit. If so, social fit is probably the winner here, as it’s the key ingredient to his happiness. We’ll know more when we visit both this month, but in the meatime, I’d love some input on the campus culture/ students at Tufts and Oberlin?