<p>I'm looking for schools with strong academics, students whose main focus is on academics, and less of a party atmosphere. The school doesn't have to have no social life at all, but academics should be paramount. Thanks.</p>
<p>Reed, Swarthmore, Caltech, to a lesser extent UChicago.</p>
<p>What separates Chicago from the other three? It seems a perfect match for his conditions.</p>
<p>Yea, it is, but I think to a lesser extent than the other three. I've met several students from each of these Universities and talked to several students at UChicago that decided not to go to one of the other three. The impression I've gotten is that students at Reed and Swarthmore are endlessly studying and double majoring, while students at Caltech are forever burdened by math and science problem sets along with extracurriculars that take a lot of time; not the vibe I get from most students that I've met at Chicago. That's not to say it isn't very academically focused, just not as much as the other three.</p>
<p>Look into St. Olaf College.</p>
<p>mit
10char</p>
<p>Cornell is pretty serious. Johns Hopkins, definitely.</p>
<p>For a "safer" school admissions-wise, I've heard Earlham meets your qualifications.</p>
<p>georgia tech</p>
<p>There's a good amount of drinking at all schools, even MIT. If you absolutely hate the partying scene, as many students do, you should look into schools that are not as sports dominant. </p>
<p>Schools like Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Chicago are probably good for you, but more than anything you should look for a good academic fit. What kind of things you want to do in college, socially and academically?</p>
<p>Maybe also look into schools closer to large cities, NYU/Case Western Reserve type of schools where the greek scene isn't as dominant as somewhere like Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>i should also add that just because student party, doesn't mean academics aren't serious and paramount. There are a lot of schools there fit into this category:</p>
<p>Boston College
Cornell
Dartmouth
Duke
Michigan
Vanderbilt
UCLA/Berkeley</p>
<p>Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, and Duke have a huge emphasis on partying though. Perhaps a bit more than the OP would like. </p>
<p>The others on the list should be okay.</p>
<p>If you don't want a lot of partying, Cal Tech only has ONE party per year.</p>
<p>But it's a big one...</p>
<p>Dartmouth is definitely NOT the place to go if you're not too into the party scene. Animal House, anyone?</p>
<p>Ha, Animal House. I second striking Dartmouth off the list.</p>
<p>In my experience, Cornell was a big party school.... Fraternity row and all that...</p>
<p>I think if you don't want to be around partying, you should either go to a commuter school. If it really turns you off, you should reconsider college all together.</p>
<p>Chicago, Reed, Swarthmore, Haverford.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins, MIT, CalTech and Chicago if you are a top student. Swarthmore also comes to mind. Brandeis also has very serious students and is a bit easier to get into.</p>
<p>a convent haha</p>