<p>To anyone who is in college now or has already graduated, I have a few questions. A lot of college brochures guarantee 'intellectual stimulation at a new level,' 'rigorous courses' and 'lots of discussion.' I've been wondering whether this actually exists and was interested in seeing if any of them offer a true intellectual environment where the students are motivated to attain knowledge for knowledge's sake [since many are concerned more with parties, getting a high-paying job etc]</p>
<p>So-are any of you at a place where debates and discussion outside of class are frequent?
Are people really excited about what they are learning?
Are there many who will willingly share their views?
Is it possible to learn many new philosophies/worldviews?</p>
<p>I don't know if a college exists out there where the majority of the students value the pursuit of information that much...but just wondering. I really want to learn in college.</p>
<p>Call me an idealistic moron, but I'm in high school. What else can you expect? :)</p>
<p>Check out the dorm configurations. My cousin went to UNC and there was no sitting in the hallways talking till two am b/c there was no hallway. Just a concrete walkway outside between rooms. Felt more like a 1971 Holiday Inn than a college dorm.</p>
<p>Also freshmen that get stuck ina quad with upper classmen will have a different experience than a freshman dorm. Another friend had this at UNC as well.</p>
<p>LACs are mostly conducive to that "intellectual" feel that you are searching for.</p>
<p>You should look at the University of Chicago. Sounds like a real match. It's a match academically and has the campus/dorm setup that you seem to want.</p>
<p>As OneMom says, the University of Chicago is a good bet. They have a Hogwarts-type house system there with common rooms, so it's fairly usual for people to sit around discussing this or that. Since first-years often take similar classes, because of the core requirements, it's my understanding from the child I currently have there that it's very common to get into deep conversations that go to 3 a.m. or so.</p>
<p>There are some other schools with this reputation. St. John's Annapolis, Reed, and Swarthmore come to mind.</p>