<p>PRESTIGE:</p>
<p>Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth </p>
<p>CURRENT CLASS OF 2013 ACCEPTANCE RATE:</p>
<p>Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, Cornell </p>
<p>PERCEPTIONS:</p>
<p>Harvard - More of a graduate school focus. Students can become stressed and competitive. Name speaks for itself otherwise. Location is near other great colleges, if Harvardians get annoying. </p>
<p>Yale - More of an undergraduate focus than Harvard (ergo happier students), residential system, home of the United States’ best law school. Some say it’s in the ghetto, but that doesn’t detract from the enriching experience. </p>
<p>Princeton - Also focused on undergraduate studies. Location is a bit weak (small town), but it’s definitely a pretty campus. Students are happy, albeit somewhat cliquey. There’s grade deflation. </p>
<p>Columbia - It is it’s environment. New York is tough, but full of opportunities. Not the warmest college (or happiest students), and the core is very difficult, but it will prepare you. Very intellectual and independent. </p>
<p>Penn - Preppy, money-hungry Ivy in heart of Philadelphia. </p>
<p>Brown - most liberal, open Ivy. FREEDOM. Happy students. </p>
<p>Cornell - solid school, but not happiest kids. Big Ivy and location’s not great. </p>
<p>Dartmouth - drinking/greek scene kind of overplayed, but very happy students nevertheless. Location is great if you don’t want a city. Beautiful scenery. </p>
<p>I probably wouldn’t choose Penn, Cornell, Columbia, Harvard based on happiness/fit factor (I’m more laid-back). Prestige would tip me in their direction if accepted though, ha.</p>