<p>Marsden, I have to disagree there. I think Washington and Lee is easily the most intense (socially and probably academically) & bubble-like college environment I've experienced or heard about (compared with friends' schools). Though I know some people who are extremely happy at W&L, I think it is a very difficult place to adjust to for many people. Every other school I've been to (including my new school) is much more laid-back and comfortable for a wider range of people.</p>
<p>OMG... obviously there are bound to be some unhappy people at any campus. But W&L is hardly a pressure cooker like Swarthmore. I know so many students and recent grads at W&L. They are uniformly happy and positive people. Some have gripes, sure, but the only really negative ones I've ever encountered are right here on this forum. So I wonder about that.</p>
<p>Yes, of course there are unhappy people at every school. Listen, I applied early decision to W&L. When I read negative posts on here I thought the people were crazy. But now that I'm actually in the thick of it (Soph year is really different from frosh), I see exactly where they are coming from and I'm offering my view on the situation. I'm not trying to be extremely negative; I have said before that W&L is almost perfect, but has a couple big steps to make before it can get there. </p>
<p>And bmulez: I am referring to both the way it affects other people (including many who are on the surface very happy) and the way it has affected me. Marsden, you have to understand that it is natural for people to try to appear happy, no matter how unhappy they really are. There's a reason this year's Day of Dialogue topic is depression--it was requested by the student body because they do see it as a problem at our school.</p>