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I don't know if this is relevant, but I would personally get angry if I went to a top school and everytime I told someone where I graduated they would say "oh..I've never heard of it".
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This is not an unusual attitude, and I think it actually does affect the "personality" of top universities vs. top LACs.</p>
<p>The top private universities (such the Ivies or Duke) and the top LACs (such as Williams or Swarthmore) are comparably selective, yet the universities obviously have far greater general name recognition. This fact generates very different reactions from equally smart, well-qualified people. Some people attach great significance to the “name brand.” Others simply shrug. </p>
<p>You can find both types of people at both types of school, but not surprisingly, the “name-droppers” gravitate to the universities -- particularly the Ivies -- instead of the LACs. My (admittedly subjective) impression is that there are more social climbers and snobs at Ivies; there are more down-to-earth people, with a greater sense of community, at the LACs. </p>
<p>For example, it's pretty obvious that exclusive social clubs (Greek houses, secret societies, eating clubs, final clubs, etc.) with elaborate screening procedures (bicker, punch process, rush, etc.) play a much more conspicuous role at the Ivies. Such clubs are typically discouraged (or banned outright) at LACs. Student organizations at LACs are typically wide open to any interested party.</p>
<p>I stress again that both types of schools attract equally smart and well-qualified applicants. But your personality may predispose you towards one or the other.</p>