Student Profile
Chris
- Class: Senior
- Major: Sociology
- Gender: M
- High School: Oberlin Senior High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
The best thing about Oberlin College is it allows you to be you. It allows you to figure out what you want to be and who you want to be. I would change the way athletics are viewed. Athletics are a positive, not a negative. I like the size of Oberlin because you meet a lot of different people. Bigger schools allow you to make small groups of friends but Oberlin allows you to interact with more people, while learning more about a person as well. A lot of people react in a favorable way when I tell them about Oberlin College. its very well known academically, but then you also have the close-minded people who believe its a "gay" campus. I'd say I spend most of my time on campus out and about. I have classes, workouts, work, meetings, so I'm all over the place. I'm a gym rat, so we'll say that. Its definitely a college town. Its a part of Oberlin and everything is within walking distance, which makes it great. Oberlin College's administration try to do the best they can and they do a great job. Oberlin is known for getting people out in 4 years and they certainly do. The biggest recent controversy would have to be the presidential race. Nothing crazy has happened but politics are especially big on a campus where people speak out, no matter the cause. There is a lot of school pride academically. Athletically it has been on the rise in the past few years, but until we can get the entire campus to see athletics as a positive, it's still in question. Oberlin is an unusual place because of the people who make it up. Its very diverse and you meet people from everywhere and all walks of life. Its very different then what the movies portray. I'll always remember my experiences playing football on Saturdays, going out that night and living it up. Most frequent student complaints would be parties. There are always parties, but you just gotta know where to look, if not, it can be pretty boring sometimes.
Academic Life
Professors know you by name if you show effort in their class. If they see you working towards achieving that A, they will put their best effort in to get you that A. My favorite class would have to be Surveillance & Society Since 9/11 and my least favorite would be Modern European History. Students study time all depends on majors. Biology majors seem to always be working, along with Economics majors, but History and Sociology majors have more papers, which allows more free time. Class participation depends on the class. Some are pure lecture, some are lecture/discussion, and some are pure discussion, it all depends on the class. I'd like to think about 95% of the time Oberlin students have intellectual conversations because you have 3000 of the best students in the world. Students are competitive, but moreso with themselves then others. The most unique class I've taken would have to be Earth's Environments because I never knew rocks were so interesting. The Sociology Department is great. Its made up of some of the greatest professors who really know their stuff. Its fun learning from people like that because it makes it more fun. Very personable staff as well. I spend a little time with Professors if I need help, but there are some that go to Professor Beers, where a student goes to grab a drink with a professor to talk about class, life, etc. The requirements are great because there is no set curriculum. You have some requirements but your schedule is who you want it to be, which makes it fun and interesting. The education at Oberlin is geared to learning for its own sake as well as getting a job. Oberlin College speaks volumes on a resume' so it really helps when you're getting a job.
Student Body
I have had many experiences with a lot of different people. Its a campus that allows all walks of life to live as one. I have friend who I would never have thought I would have in a million year. Sexual preference, skin color, ethnicity, etc. don't matter. Get to meet the person. A very close-minded person would feel out of place. You gotta be able to open up and learn new things. You've got to learn to accept people for who they are. Students wear clothing for whatever the weather is. You've got hipsters, jocks, vegans, neat freaks, so sometimes walking to class can be interesting. Once again, Oberlin College is a perfect place for different types of students to interact, because it helps one to learn about different people. The four tables are made up of all different people. You have a real variety when checking out the dining hall. Most students on the campus are from New York, California or Ohio. Pretty affluent backgrounds tend to walk the sidewalks of Oberlin College, but you've got some from every other aspect as well. Very politically aware and very politically active. Predominantly left, right and center. Students talk a lot about how much they hope to earn, and being at Oberlin College, you can bet it will be some good money.
The Best Things
Its diversity. It gets you ready for the real world. No fake ***.
The Worst Things
How Athletics are viewed.
