<p>Definitely not limited to Harvard folks, but to ALL Ivies and also Georgetown, Northwestern, Tufts, CMU and Rice:</p>
<p>I'm currently looking around at colleges and trying to decide which ones fit my personality and which ones I might want to apply to. I've heard great things (obviously) about schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton, but I want to know how current undergrad students (or recent undergad students) feel about the atmosphere. </p>
<p>I've heard SO many different things about Harvard: Harvard is laid back, Harvard students are helpful, the students are really cutthroat and competitive, the students are anti-social, the classes are really hard, the classes are awesome even if an A seems almost out of reach...</p>
<p>What do you folks think about the atmosphere at your school? Collaborative? Competitive? Hostile? Amiable? Your opinions, please.</p>
<p>Here’s a summary from Princeton Review, based on survey responses from multiple Harvard students:</p>
<p>Harvard Students Say…</p>
<p>Most students have resolved their study habits by the time they get to Harvard, so “studying becomes routine, and there is a vibrant social atmosphere on campus and between students and the local community.” In Cambridge and Boston, there’s always something to do, whether it’s “go see a play, a concert, hit up a party, go to the movies, or dine out.” The new pub on campus is an excellent place to hang out and see people, “especially if you want to play a game of pool or have a reasonably priced drink,” drinking also occurs on weekends at parties or at Harvard’s finals clubs, though it is by no means a prevalent part of social life here. In addition to school-sponsored events such as panels and film screenings, the number of student organizations is staggering. “Basically, if you want to do it, Harvard either has it or has the money to give to you so you can start it,” says a student. “Boredom does not exist here. There are endless opportunities and endless passionate people to do them with.” During freshman year, the school organizes a lot of holiday/special event parties for people to get to know one another, and conversations are rarely surface-level and “often incorporate some sort of debate or interesting/important topic.”</p>
<p>^That’s a little idealized…“boredom does not exist here”…but more or less accurate I guess. Though everyone overestimates how often people go “out” into Boston; most days most people stay on campus for meals/events.</p>
<p>But based on the list you provided, you’re looking at a limited cluster of colleges that are fairly similar to each other in a variety of ways. Looks like you’ve already decided what kind of college “fits your personality”.</p>
<p>Sorry if that my original post was misleading. I have a list of 8-10 matches and safeties that I’m really liking (I’ve visited most of them, mostly publics with a handful of privates). I’m trying to find a few good reaches to put on my list as well, that’s all.</p>
<p>@ xrCalico - I disagree, djakes’ schools might all be top-quality institutions, but they are not all that similar in feel and atmosphere</p>
<p>I attend Penn and everyone I know who goes here loves it! There is plenty of social interaction and parties (why we’re called the Party Ivy!), but the other students I know are (for the most part) still intelligent and intellectual. Some departments are terrible (<em>cough</em> <em>math</em>) but I’m a history major, and the department is phenomenal! I have some of the most famous historians in the world leading 10-15 discussion based classes! The benefit of it being on the larger side is that there’s a vast array of people and groups - you’ll absolutely find something you’re interested in. And, having just visited Boston and Havard last weekend, I can tell you that Penn is much closer to downtown Philadelphia than Harvard is to Boston. People often visit Center City to go clubbing, shopping, or eating. </p>
<p>I truly ADORE Penn and can’t have imagined going anywhere else. This is after three years here and having also been accepted at: Yale, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, Rice, WashU, Boston C, William & Mary (and nine others - yes, I applied to 18 schools…)</p>