<p>I originally thought I'd apply to a lot of the "most selective" schools in the country for superior academics and opportunities and financial aid - everything basically. But recently I heard a guy from my school just dropped out of Harvard because he couldn't handle the stressful, cutthroat environment. I'm stressed out from schoolwork, but want to be challenged and have a good balance between interesting/engaging academics and a social life and downtime.
Are top schools (ivies and other very selective schools) not going to have a sane balance between the two? I don't want to be stressed like I am in high school, but I want to get a good education. Hopefully I'm making sense..thanks!!</p>
<p>IMO non elite schools, particularly publics which educate a good deal of low income students are far more stressful than their elite school counterparts. Work study expectations are far lower (at Emory a financial aid student can expect to work 10 hours a week vs 22+ at many other institutions), professors are more available, and there are more resources for struggling students. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that it’s very unusual to drop out of top schools. At most top 20 schools (other than ones like West Point and Cal Tech) >90% of students graduate.</p>
<p>It really depends on the person more than the school. You can be stressed at any school and not be super stressed at any school. Just know how much you can handle. It also depends on what major you’re in. Some majors require a lot more labs and overall a lot more work than others. </p>
<p>Some people go overboard and take over 20 credits and work 20 hours and they can’t handle that. Some people can handle that, but most can’t. Know your limits. I’m taking 15 academic credits, working one work-study job with a set schedule each week (7 hours) and one other job for extra cash when I need it. I’ve found this is manageable and I am much less stressed than some other people around me, but I am still getting an amazing education. </p>