<p>Browsing through universities, I find that a lot of them seem to blend together. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes it seems hard to differentiate between different schools. In the case of hypsm & other similarly selective schools, they all have great academics, a diverse range of clubs and activities, etc.
I thought it might be helpful if those of you more familiar with these schools shared what makes one school so "special" compared to the others. In other words, what in particular sets School A apart from School B? Please share your observations!</p>
<p>Well, the academics are not all the same. Take a look at the majors offered and the general education requirements for starters.</p>
<p>Culture is really what makes them different. Each school seems to have their own identity. Schools may be similar but really it is the culture and other things that make them unique. This is why visiting a school is so important. When you walk on campus and start talking to people you get a real sense of that school.</p>
<p>Well, Harvard is what I call “boho chic.” I didn’t go to Harvard, but I went to a school across the river, had friends at Harvard (undergrad and grad/PhD) and spent some time in Cambridge. The personality of the campus is very artistic (but whip smart, obvs), a little crunchy granola but in an East Coast way. Harvard kids are understandably a wee bit intense. Cambridge (the place) is basically boho-genius-hipster. (interestingly MIT is right next door but has a very different culture… way less boho and hipster… a bit more serious. They also party a lot TRUFAX. And the slightly-less-elite schools in Boston proper are totally different)</p>
<p>Agree completely with Pinnum–you need to visit campus, talk to students. If you can’t physically visit, watch video, talk to current or former students on the Internet. They’ll be able to tell you what the general vibe is. School culture is so essential… I’m always surprised at the kids who apply to ALL the Ivys b/c they are so different. You might be happy at one but miserable at another. </p>
<p>And academics are definitely not all the same! Depending on what you want to major in, certain schools have an edge over others. I was a journalism major, for instance, and some of the Ivys/top elites just didn’t have sufficient (or sufficiently competitive) journalism programs. The top schools aren’t always the best for the thing you want to study. (in point of fact, the top j-schools aren’t even Ivys) </p>
<p>Culture definitely differs between schools. The other thing that varies is the interaction between professors and students. Frankly, that can vary among departments within a college or university. This is why it is important to visit a college and look closely at the department(s) that might interest you.</p>
<p>The eight Ivies are different from each other, some more than others.</p>
<p>Also I agree that you need to look at your major, and see if the department is really popular (thus hard to get into) or not so popular but meets your needs (thus perhaps a bit easier to get into).</p>
<p>My son just went to a talk where students were recommending no matter what your intended major, apply to the college of arts and sciences, and transfer into whatever you want once you are admitted. This is only possible at some schools, not all, but needs to be considered.</p>