Oberlin College

Date: Nov 16 2008
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
This is a college that really stands out, and for some it will stand out negatively, not positively. Oberlin requires a great deal of academic work from students, and most are bound for post-graduate work such as PhD programs, law, MBA programs, and medicine. Admission is competitive, but not so outlandish as at Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford. In contrast with the Ivy League schools, Oberlin seems to have a higher percentage that did not fit the standard mold in their high school careers, although some certainly did. A good performance at Oberlin can put them on track with graduates of the most competitive schools.

Oberlin really does stand out in the percentage of PhD scholars it produces. Of course, PhD degrees are less remunerative than other professional degrees, but Oberlin really achieves its influence in the numbers of University researchers and professors that began with an Oberlin undergraduate degree. Many Oberlin students also stand out as journalists, authors, artists, musicians, and more (including some in electronic media).

Oberlin students have a great deal of contact with professors, and also with other students, many of whom are competitive and high achievers. Much of the learning at Oberlin comes from the high expectations it creates. By junior and senior year, a paper is expected to be a serious paper, a model for something one would write at a leading graduate school. These expectations can cause a lot of anxiety, and grading is serious, although not harsh.

If you are the right prospective student for Oberlin College, you will get a lot out of it.