Case Western- Northeastern- WPI- UMaryland -UMass
Any thoughts on student happiness amongst these? I feel like all great schools but are any of them known for students that are happy and for great student life?
I think it will depend on what makes you happy. None of these would be a top choice for everyone.
Only visited Case and WPI. The WPI students seemed palpably upbeat. We felt this on several campuses and it informed my son’s final decision.
We just came back from WPI and I fell in love with the students. They were all unapologetically themselves. Absolutely no pretenses. As my son is considering joining a fraternity, I looked up the ones on campus and they all just have the nicest things to say about each other. While they don’t have the major my son is looking for, I’d be really happy if that’s where he landed.
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My son is very happy at WPI!
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Devine happiness - in regards to best student life, Niche (and it’s just one ranking source) rates them like this:
CWRU - 518 of 1612
UMD 81 of 1612
UMASS 55 of 1612
NEU 56 of 1612
WPI 228 of 1612
Obviously different things lead to happiness for different kids. Already, you have different schools - the mid size WPI to the mid-size CWRU which is within spitting distance of the big sports and all that Cleveland has to offer. UMASS is small town and in a college area. UMD will eventually be connected by train to DC. UMD will have big time sports and UMASS will also have D1 sports while NEU, CWRU, and UMD will have access to professional sports.
So what matters to your student? My son was concerned with dorms - and a rating again doesn’t mean they only have good or they’re only bad - but can give you an indication.
Others care about food - and I’ll say this - both my kids have complained more about food than anything - and ring up restaurant bills - and others have mentioned food a problem on the CC, even at some elite schools. So here are dorm/food grades from Niche…again, just one source…and where does this rank for you?
CWRU C+ Dorms, C+ Food
UMD C-/B-
UMASS B+/A+ (#3 in food)
NEU B / B
WPI C / C-
Ultimately, your student needs to know the inputs that would be most satisfactory from size to weather to environment to class size to as @eyemgh often points out the types of curriculum or school schedule (quarter vs. semester vs. I know WPI has even shorter terms).
Good luck.
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I can only compare Case and NU. We visited Case in the dead of winter on a cold snowy day and an empty campus. My student still liked it enough to apply, but it was lower on the list. I think it was mainly because it seemed too serious (just a perception). After 4-yr grind in HS, I think some kids want more out of college.
Now at NU - joined a fraternity and an academic club, spectated the Boston marathon, attended Bean Pot hockey semi-finals game and a Red Sox game, went to St. Patrick’s parade today, has friends in other Boston schools, has built a large network of friends at NU, went on Spring break trip with friends, and is on the Deans list. Comfortable with public transport and making social plans as well as charting academic and co-op goals. Seems like a well-balanced college life with a lot of personal growth.
I think you could say this about kids in any school. It doesn’t matter where they go, as long as they take ownership over their happiness and make it work.
Good luck with the decision!
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Thanks all for inputs it’s helpful especially to hear from people who have those satisfied students or not satisfied students because it feels real.
I also found this in case it’s helpful to anyone it has multiple questions asked to students about how happy they are after choosing