Oberlin Cover Letter: Fill & Download for Free

I applied to University of New Mexico, because it was free and my school made me.My ‘first choice’ was Columbia University. I mostly just wanted to get out of my state, and I didn’t really care beyond that. I applied to Columbia mostly because it was covered by my low income voucher, and so I thought I might as well. I got the application done early, so I submitted ED and didn’t think about it ever again.These two schools out of the way, I started applying to the ones I was most likely to end up at. I applied to Oberlin, NYU, UMichigan, USC, Carleton, and a few other liberal arts schools. I applied to about 8 schools in total.The schools on my list had to be far away from New Mexico, midsize, and willing to cover all demonstrated need. I also wanted to be in a city.All my applications were in by late November, because my jobs upped my hours for the holidays. Literally the day after I’d stayed up to submit all my apps, I was at work and I got an email from Columbia. I thought it was just one of the incessant promo emails. I was mopping with one hand, on my phone with the other. Then I saw ‘update to your application’, and I thought “guess i forgot something?” I clicked the link, saw an acceptance letter, and actually screamed.When it came down to it, I chose Columbia because it met my 4 preferences. My school happened to be more ‘prestigious’ than most, but I think the easiest way to get through the season is to decide what actual qualities are important to you. Then find schools of different tiers to apply to, and go to the one that you can afford.

To build off of Aaron’s response, there are core difference that marketing (quite frankly) tries to cover up (as I’ve learned in my 15 year career working at four colleges):Size- its more than how many students you have in your classroom, but the sense of belonging. There is a reason why all the Ivies remain the size that they are and are residential. They could easily grow with the demand but they don’t because these colleges believe that a high quality education goes beyond small classes, but opportunities to interact closely with faculty and your classmates, always being able to find space in the library to study and facilities to do your research or explore an idea. Also, at smaller institutions there are fewer rules. Very few Ivy League students will say that they couldn’t do something (academic or extra-curricular) on their campuses, because these institutions provide ACCESS to all undergraduates to explore them.Privilege- You’ll rich kids on every college campus. But, you’ll see more at Ivy league institutions. Having a higher percentage of students from private schools at Ivy Leagues, these colleges feel more confident to approach their faculty, ask for opportunities outside of class and network with alumni. You just don’t learn this in public school, nor does a state university do a good job to infuse this sense of privilege to their students. At Ivies, students feel this way once they get their acceptance letters.Administrators treat Ivy League students better. Colleges and Universities are significant contributors to a local economy. After working at four institutions (two of them Ivies), what I’ve found is that administrators at Ivy league colleges know that they have high standards to uphold because their colleagues at other institutions look up to them. On the flip side, at state universities I’ve been too, I’ve seen campus administrators working there because “its the best job in the area.” There are notable exceptions, of course, but this is another way that Ivy league institutions feel different from State Universities.Sports- Big State schools invest tons of resources on them. It is common for members of the athletic department to get paid more than professors. This is not the case at an Ivy League school.Overall, there is a sense among all members of an Ivy League community that they want to be there, have a strong commitment to that institution’s brand and creating an experience that is distinctive. I also see this at liberal arts colleges, so this is not distinct to Ivies. But, to confirm what Aaron said, I’ll share the quote that I heard from an Oberlin professor.College is not about what happens from 9 am to 5 pm; but what happens from 5 pm to 9 pm.Using that metric, you’ll see how Ivies and other prestigious, small residential colleges, are different from large state universities (if you want to see American higher education in those large brushstrokes).

Oh, no. Sophisticated people know the US can neverf be seen to do anything noble.Here’s the thing: Aboltion, anti slavery laws, the Underground Railroad, lehargic enforcment of Fugitive Slave Act (even the undergrads at Oberlin fought off the slave catchers)FCotton monoculture wears out the soil. The plantation owners needed more, which is why the filiburster to Nicaragua. Bleeding Kansas demonstrated there would be no more states admitted to the Union. The election of 1860 demonstrated the same, plus indicated that the relentless attacks on slavery would have political cover.Hence secession. Most of the states, in their declaration of secession, referenced keeping slavery.See de Voto “1846: The Year of Decision”. And Chandra Manning “What This Cruel War Was Over”. She goes into letters from the troops, both sides, and other sources. Said she was surprised to find so much interest in or concern about slavery.