<p>In looking at different colleges and thinking about "narrowing the list" I find myself in a dilemma. Many schools I like because of its academics -- I know they have great professors, great classes, and are intellectual powerhouses. Others, while still having great professors, amazing classes, etc., are a much better social and overall fit IMO.</p>
<p>So the question is, when it comes down to it, what is more important, academics or how you fit into the school?</p>
<p>Academics are more important than social factors. It is hard to know the social life at a school until you go there. You can make it what you want.</p>
<p>On what basis are you determining "fit?" At the time I went to college, my identity was still such a work in progress that I couldn't have known what factors might fit me better than others.</p>
<p>If the academics, especially in the fields you're interested in, are rather comparable, go with the one that "fits" you more.</p>
<p>It depends on how important academics are to you. Actually, for most students, it doesn't really matter at all. A comfortable (whatever that means for that student) learning environment is more important than the "academic strength" (whatever that means) of the institution.</p>
<p>It is very difficult, if not impossible, to offer any kind of meaningful advice on these open-ended hypothetical questions.</p>
<p>To even make it worth replying, you would have to give us a little bit about you and examples of the kinds of schools you are talking about.</p>
<p>There is no need to sacrifice one in favor of the other. There is the right academic AND social fit at every level.</p>
<p>"It is hard to know the social life at a school until you go there." I'm agree.</p>
<p>How to determine social fit into college? Based on one day visit? College books?</p>
<p>Its pretty easy. Read the fiske guide or Princeton Review. Pretty accurate</p>
<p>As for the OP. There are many social top colleges. </p>
<p>Among the top ten:
Dartmouth, Princeton, Brown, Stanford, Penn, Duke (to a lesser degree Yale and Cornell)</p>
<p>Among the top 20
Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Emory, michigan, Notre Dame (if its your thing)</p>
<p>Among the top 25
UCLA, UNC, Tufts</p>
<p>If your definition of "social" mean heavy drinking. If it means something else then your list may be awful choices. </p>
<p>That's why I say that we really need a little detail to even answer a question like that.</p>
<p>Pretty much active on the weekends, people stay on campus, parties, laid-back friendly students, not overtly intense people</p>
<p>I apologize for not being more specific. By social fit I mean a fun place (meaning parties, not necessarily heavy drinking, but relaxing, fun parties, etc., good extracurriculars, nice people, etc.). By overrall fit, I meant a place where I felt an automatic comfort walking on campus (which I guess you guys can't really assess because you wouldn't know). But I am asking the importance of the fit vs. academics.</p>
<p>The places I am considering applying to are Yale, Princeton, Duke, University of Chicago, Stanford, UPenn, Columbia (tentative list of course). The question basically came from the fact that I am in LOVE with Yale. As soon as I step on campus (twice already), I felt as if I was already a student and could see myself there for 4 years. However Princeton has some professors who I would LOVE to take classes with and have available just to have a meaningful discussion. However, when I went to visit campus, although I liked the place, I didn't feel as a l'aise as I did at Yale.</p>
<p>
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By social fit I mean a fun place (meaning parties, not necessarily heavy drinking, but relaxing, fun parties, etc., good extracurriculars, nice people, etc.).
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<p>That's every college on earth. College kids have fun. You don't think they dress 'em up in prison uniforms, attach a ball and chain, and send students out to chip away at the rock pile, do you?</p>
<p>As for deciding between Yale and Princeton, the best thing to do is just sit tight until you have an acceptance letter in your hand from both and then worry about it!</p>
<p>
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As for deciding between Yale and Princeton, the best thing to do is just sit tight until you have an acceptance letter in your hand from both and then worry about it!
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<p>Well, OP seems to be trying to decide whether to even apply to Princeton, or wherever, since he thinks it might not be a good "fit".</p>
<p>What you are suggesting, and I agree with, is that if you are talking about these super-selective colleges, you have to cast your net wide. If you are actually competitive for these types of places, you should apply to quite a few, then worry about fit once you have the acceptance in hand. </p>
<p>For less selective schools (more match schools) you really should be focusing more on fit, since you have a much higher chance of actually being accepted.</p>
<p>Yeah, that makes sense. I am totally hung up on college (my friends make fun of me for that all the time). It's just that I am REALLY tired of high school and really want to move on already. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>
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What you are suggesting, and I agree with, is that if you are talking about these super-selective colleges, you have to cast your net wide. If you are actually competitive for these types of places, you should apply to quite a few...
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<p>I don't necessarily agree with that. In fact, I think many, many students screw up their college searches by fixating on extreme reaches. That's a different issue.</p>
<p>I would just say that it is very presumptive to worry about what to do with an acceptance from both Yale and Princeton. This student better have one whale of an application.</p>
<p>I've run across very few applicants in five years on CC who would sensibly be able to justify the list of colleges the original poster is contemplating. When you've got UChicago as your safety, you are taking a pretty big bite fo the apple.</p>
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<blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Columbia and Chicago.</p> </blockquote> </blockquote>
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<p>Not exactly the most "fun" places...in fact probably the least social schools in the top 15.</p>
<p>Routing back to the OP, I chose my school (Chicago) primarily for fit. I assumed that every school I was considering had strong academics, in that the selections in the course catalogs all looked interesting and I knew I could initiate contact with profs no problem.</p>
<p>To me, there's nothing more exciting than being around a lot of people who, like me, love school and are pretty good at it. I wasn't into the idea of going to parties, and though I go to some, it's really not my thing, so one could even say that lack of a "fun" atmosphere was an important thing for me. (Indeed Chicago and all the other school I drooled over were criticized for not being "fun" in strictly the party sense).</p>
<p>But what's important "fit" wise for you? Everybody has different ideas of what's right.</p>
<p>I was choosing between Northwestern and Notre Dame a couple weeks ago and had a similar issue. Northwestern's chemistry and economics departments are some of the finest in the nation, whereas Notre Dame's are not quite as renowned. However, I made my ultimate choice (ND) based on fit and not perceived strength of academic programs, since both schools are about as academically good as any student could ever ask for, even though NU might have a slight edge over ND.</p>
<p>Based on the way you described yourself, I think in the college search and application process you should focus on applying to the best academic schools possible that appeal to you and that you believe you have a good shot at (i.e. you are at least in the 50th percentile of SAT scores), and when it comes down to making a final college selection after you've been accepted, you should examine the less tangible characteristics such as social scene, atmosphere, and "fit," I guess.</p>
<p>Having gone through this whole college admissions process for the past 9 months, I think that's the best answer to your question. Also, once you are accepted, don't underestimate the mental deliberation needed to make a final decision; choosing between two or more top schools is an arduous, taxing process that can last weeks.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Wow, interesteddad, you're nice.</p>
<p>The list I gave was the list my college counselor at school told me to consider. I never said UChicago, or any of those schools on that list, were my safeties. That would be ridiculous. As a matter of fact, after having been on this board and read how "selective" these colleges are, I had that very issue with the list of colleges that my counselor gave. I saw no safeties in his list and was concerned. However, he circled those schools for a reason.</p>
<p>indiejimmy, thanks a lot for your advice. I really appreciate it.</p>