Just lookin' for a prestigious uni with a good sense of community...

College Search & Selection
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<p>(preferably strong in undergraduate computer sci, and private)</p>

<p>Here's how I'll introduce my ideal university(ies):</p>

<p>I just want to go to a school where everyone's fun, and focused, and can still be relaxed. basically a social environment where it's easy to make friends (who aren't geeky/antisocial, and aren't party animals either). I consider myself the compromise between the two and seek a good balance. A sense of good community is what i'm lookin for i guess, and preferably not a huge greek scene or party school.</p>

<p>So to sum it up, I want a university where the people know how to discuss both random, crazy things AND intellectual/philosophical matters. A school where different races tend not to segregate as much, and where there aren't that many defined "cliques" (nerd, party animal, etc). Just a place where everyone knows how to relax, not be too competitive, and has a good sense of community.</p>

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<p>you may want to think about LACs like Williams, Amherst, or Swarthmore if your looking for prestige and sense of community.</p>

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<p>er, i was actually referring to a bigger college, probably not as bit as UT Austin, but let’s say probably bigger than harvey mudd, amherst, etc</p>

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<p>here’s possibilites (although i have no idea what the social scenes are like at these schools):</p>

<p>upenn
cornell
princeton
stanford
duke
rice
northwestern
washu
yale</p>

<p>here are some i’m not really looking forward to:
CMU (heard it’s really antisocial)
USC (heard it’s mostly about partying)
NYU (heard there’s no campus/community)</p>

<p>get my drift?</p>

5

<p>Rice sounds right on target.</p>

6

<p>You should also add Brown (wow that’s probably the first time I’ve actually recommended Brown to anyone!) </p>

<p>I think your list seems pretty on target for what you’re looking for, mostly.</p>

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<p>this is what i looked for in a school back when i applied.</p>

<p>i fell in love with stanford, duke, and penn. i would also look into dartmouth.</p>

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<p>

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<p>MIT is perfect according to your needs</p>

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<p>Stanford, Brown, and Dartmouth. All super laid back, super fun, super academic students. The most balanced colleges.</p>

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<p>thanks for all the responses, everybody.</p>

<p>eatsalot, what college did you eventually end up going to?</p>

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<p>Chicago/MIT/Stanford/Rice</p>

<p>granted, if you want a student body that’s totally relaxed, you’ll have to sacrifice prestige</p>

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<p>chicago… hm… kind of reminds me of cmu in a way</p>

<p>also, a school where the guys and girls look after their appearances would be nice</p>

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<p>I almost just died in shock.</p>

<p>Brown is a clear choice, I’m just amazed ilovebagels beat me to it…</p>

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<p>Duke, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Davidson.</p>

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<p>what do you think about baylor?</p>

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<p>i’m proud duke kid, mang :)</p>

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<p>Vanderbilt!! Its unofficial motto is “Work hard, play hard.” Stanford/Duke-esque, but near a major city, image-conscious without being fake, and they LOVE promoting a sense of community (freshmen can’t have cars, all freshmen are put in the Commons, no off-campus housing).</p>

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<p>student01, Baylor is basically the antithesis of prestige ■■■■■. All the kids at the bottom of my class (in Texas) are going there. Just sayin’.</p>

<p>I second Duke (for obvious reasons :p)! Vanderbilt, as well. I was accepted to both, and was looking for something much the same as you, so Duke and Vandy rose to the top of my consideration list. I eventually went with Duke, but Vandy’s obviously a great school.</p>

<p>Davidson is similar, but smotheringly tiny.</p>

<p>If you want a place where people “take care of their appearance,” Rice/MIT/UofC are probably not for you. Those schools aren’t exactly well-known for really social, “cool” kids haha.</p>

<p>So yeah, I vote Duke, Vandy, Stanford, and throw in Dartmouth.</p>

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<p>The OP perfectly described Carleton, Pomona, William & Mary, and Brown.</p>

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<p>I agree with adamonkey; MIT sounds about right.</p>