<p>According to my kids, it’s rare to see squirrels in Hyde Park (Chicago), notwithstanding that the University of Chicago has several unofficial t-shirts comparing the attractiveness of its squirrels to its students.</p>
<p>Miami University had a lot of squirrels. On a recent visit/tour D and I took to pointing them out to each other every chance we got.</p>
<p>Fun thread. Son would never tell us anything but he enjoyed my alma mater- U of Wisconsin- Madison. From the posts it has just about everything most want. Location/weather outweighed by many other “trivial” factors. Yes, there is an orchestra for those casual (non music majors) players, stem cell research, great dorm food (run by Res Halls, not an outside place). Greeks- they exist but don’t get in the way of 90% of the students (wanting more than 30% Greek doesn’t insure affordability, just snobbery).</p>
<p>Big state U’s are likely to meet more criteria than small LACs- more diversity. Perhaps easier for HS students to choose them than need to figure out if the limited amenities of small schools include those they want. </p>
<p>Subways? Why not just state you are confined to NYC?</p>
<p>What is “bubble tea”? Never heard of it. Finally learned what sweet tea is- horribly sweet from what I hear (no amount of sugar can take away the bitterness for me).</p>
<p>Summer in Seattle- son did an REU there the year temps were often in the 100’s- NO A/C- even in academic buildings (exception- comp sci, they finally moved their math program there), and of course not the student apt he shared- didn’t/couldn’t even take his fan.</p>
<p>I imagine a good running campus was on son’s list. For us parents that meant U of Chicago was out because we were afraid son would run in the nearby bad neighborhoods. At that age- 16- he wouldn’t have listened to safety concerns and head to the Lakeshore.</p>
<p>Bubble tea is tea with sugar and tapioca pearls. It is quite a thing in some places for some young people. I’m not sure why. Don’t get the hookah joints either. My D is not a big fan of either, but she is happy to partake. Many of her friends really love these things. My guess is that it’s a nice social outlet.</p>
<p>I love the Haverford plush squirrel. I almost want one, though I am not a big fan of squirrels. I have so many in my yard, and they’re fearless. Almost as aggressive as the raccoons.</p>
<p>Wow Wis75-I don’t know what summer your S was in Seattle, but trust me, regular temps in the 100’s is record-breakingly rare. I believe it has yet to pass 80 so far this summer. Mostly, it rains-a lot-until July and August. And that’s why one of D’s trivial factors is “somewhere the weather isn’t like here”.</p>
<p>There are also subways or similar public transportation in DC, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston, to name a few. Seattle is attempting to finally installing light rail but it’s decades behind other cities in that respect. </p>
<p>Bubble tea is…unique and an acquired taste. I haven’t managed to acquire it. It involves little balls of chewy tapioca and various tea or fruit flavored drink. Can I just say-YUCK!</p>
<p>80? We would be happy with 70!
It has not ever been 100 in Seattle in recent memory. It probably just feels that way because not everyone has air conditioning.
[History</a> | Weather Underground](<a href=“Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground”>Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground)
In 2006, it was in the 90’s for four days, in July. Of course this was the exact period of time that I was in eastern Washington at the Gorge, where it was 116. :p</p>
<p>We do have bubble tea here, theres a place in the Udistrict D likes to go to if she can’t get over to Capitol Hill & the Dur- Dur cafe.</p>
<p>My mothers family was from Mo & drank sweet tea. It was very good. They made sun tea then put sugar in it. Not bitter at all.</p>
<p>We have Squirrels- grey from the east coast that are crowding out our native chipmunks and red squirrels. At older Ds school they had nutria- but now also have river otters!</p>
<p>It was over 100 in Seattle in late July, 2009. I remember the misery well.</p>
<p>I stand corrected Studential. It was 103 on July 29th. I must have been some place else! Although I admit, I am outside all the time and have learned to ignore the weather.
Just dress in layers! ;)</p>
<p>wis75, since we looked at a ton of schools with Greek life, I can tell you that once you get past 30% you start to see kids in Greek life that would never have gone through recruitment at a large public school. Where my son will attend has Greek life that hovers between 50-70% and it is not about prestige. After all, when everyone is doing it, it isn’t a snob thing. But to each his own :)</p>
<p>Ah yes, Studential, that was literally the day we moved into our new house. I thought I was going to die. Apparently it’s a requirement when I move into a new home-when my ex and I bought our new home back in NH 25 years ago, it was 101 the day we moved in THERE. But at least in NH you expect that in July.</p>
<p>If you don’t like squirrels, consider schools in higher elevations. They seem to be much less prevalent. Although, then you may have to contend with this [WCU</a> Bear Encounter October 26, 2011 - YouTube](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dCNtipXX-s]WCU”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dCNtipXX-s)</p>
<p>
Point of pride that was mentioned on Appalachian State’s campus tour: For the past three years, the SGA has voted down proposals to open a Starbucks in the Student Union. Students prefer the organic, fair-trade coffee brewed by the student-run coffee house. I expect this probably has Starbucks officials involved in shock.</p>
<p>Mine would probably had to be…
- Division I sports
- decent academic potential/academics in my major (polisci)
- good campus environment
- some social life at the school
- good housing options (even tho freshmen don’t get to choose)
- a quiet campus for studying (as in not near a big city)
I’m going to UConn in the fall as a freshman from the south (Texas)…a long way, but I’m fine with it.</p>
<p>There are subways in Boston, DC, LA and San Francisco.</p>
<p>I think bubble tea shows up where there are a lot of students - maybe a lot of Asian students? (Yep looked it up, it was invented in Taiwan.) There were lots of places in Pittsburgh - which is the first place I ever saw it.
I’ve never been a fan of tapioca pudding - fish eggs in glue IMO - so sticking them in tea never seemed like an improvement. </p>
<p>Also lots of hookah bars in Pittsburgh. My Jordanian bound son is trying to figure out what to do about hookah bars in Jordan. He doesn’t want to get addicted, but does think it’s a part of the culture he may need to take part in. Hopefully he’ll learn how not to inhale.</p>
<p>
Sweet tea is beautiful! It’s not the same as pouring sugar packets into your iced tea because it’s brewed with the sugar already in it, which makes it uniformly sweet. I’ve been back to the north since moving to NC, the tea just doesn’t compare. Kids I know who went to Yankee territory for college mourn the loss of their sweet tea.</p>
<p>wis75, bubble tea is somewhat popular in Madison. There was a place called Bubble Island in the Lucky building that didn’t make it, and several Asian restaurants have it. I think it’s kind of strange but my kids like it.</p>
<p>If you do like squirrels, the University of Michigan has an official student organization called the Squirrel Club, “dedicated to the feeding and welfare of the squirrels on campus.” At last report it was over 400 strong. (Students, that is, not squirrels. I don’t know how many squirrels; maybe someone at the Squirrel Club could tell you).</p>
<p>[The</a> Squirrel Club—University of Michigan, Ann Arbor About Us](<a href=“http://www.michigansquirrels.com/about/]The”>http://www.michigansquirrels.com/about/)</p>
<p>The squirrels on the diag at U of Michigan in Ann Arbor are fearless. I wrote an essay in Freshman English on the topic many moons ago there. 
We were back there just last week, and I almost stepped on one by accident. They are also very fat.</p>
<p>I was at East Carolina University’s campus, and I swear you could have walked up and pet a squirrel if you wanted to. It’s crazy, I’m used to them being easily frightened little things.</p>
<p>I think it is funny how many people want squirrels at college, I wasnt expecting that :)</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T959V using CC</p>
<p>Personally I am not so fond of them. They bury acorns which then try growing into trees that I have to pull out.
They also were bothering the robins nest.</p>