Schools that aren’t grim but are still a good education

[Anonymous]

Are there any good schools left that are actually fun and aren’t relentlessly grim? By “fun,” I don’t mean just pure parties (though that’s part of it). I also mean really engaging intellectual stimulation, the ability to actually have debates as opposed to heavily censored speech, parties that don’t require signed releases at the door, dorms that aren’t as quiet as crypts, students that can hear an opinion they don’t like without having tantrums, and a diversity of smart quirky kids with widely varied interests, not just armies of ruthless Tracy Flicks. In other words, speaking as someone who went to Stanford back when it was actually fun, not this:

https://stanforddaily.com/2022/10/24/inside-stanfords-war-on-fun-tensions-mount-over-universitys-handling-of-social-life/

My kid is in 9th grade and although an excellent student in a hard school, does not have any interest in the hoops required for Stanford admission now (and I fully support that; Stanford is insufferable now from everything I hear). By the same token, the Ivies are out. But I would love my kid to find a place that is fun the way that college used to be fun: yes, hard work, yes challenging academics, but also just plain fun. Does that exist any more or has that concept for college been totally destroyed?

[Anonymous]

Large state schools are exactly as you described. Lots of different viewpoints, smart kids, many organizations to be a part of, challenging academics, and yes - fun.

I would never in a million years want my kids to attend Ivies, Stanford, etc. today. I want them to be exposed to a variety of viewpoints, other students who aren't precious coddled snowflakes, and lots of different opportunities to be involved.

[Anonymous]

Claremont McKenna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Claremont McKenna

Why?

[Anonymous]

A state school in a blue state. Where education is valued and they understand professors need to lead thought provoking discussions without the fear of being sued or fired.

[Anonymous]

University of Florida. Go Gators!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A state school in a blue state. Where education is valued and they understand professors need to lead thought provoking discussions without the fear of being sued or fired.

Michigan?
UCLA?
UC-B?
UVA?

[Anonymous]

My kid is the sort for whom a SLAC is fun. Those in the Midwest tend to be less popular with the Tracy Flicks.

[Anonymous]

Aren’t most colleges fun? Stanford is filled with grinder kids. So no, I would not expect it to be fun. And I would not expect its administration to have a light hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A state school in a blue state. Where education is valued and they understand professors need to lead thought provoking discussions without the fear of being sued or fired.

Michigan?
UCLA?
UC-B?
UVA?

Minnesota

[Anonymous]

OP. I’m in California. Cal and UCLA definitely don’t have reputations as being fun any more. But UCSB is still hanging on.

My kid is okay with going anywhere. DC is a smart kid with excellent grades who is very social, athletic (but not recruit level), loves debate, loves robotics, mostly loves having fun.

[Anonymous]

Davidson fits what you’re looking for to a T

[Anonymous]

Maybe one of the less intense SLACs? Middlebury, Bowdoin?

[Anonymous]

Tufts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any good schools left that are actually fun and aren’t relentlessly grim? By “fun,” I don’t mean just pure parties (though that’s part of it). I also mean really engaging intellectual stimulation, the ability to actually have debates as opposed to heavily censored speech, parties that don’t require signed releases at the door, dorms that aren’t as quiet as crypts, students that can hear an opinion they don’t like without having tantrums, and a diversity of smart quirky kids with widely varied interests, not just armies of ruthless Tracy Flicks. In other words, speaking as someone who went to Stanford back when it was actually fun, not this:

https://stanforddaily.com/2022/10/24/inside-stanfords-war-on-fun-tensions-mount-over-universitys-handling-of-social-life/

My kid is in 9th grade and although an excellent student in a hard school, does not have any interest in the hoops required for Stanford admission now (and I fully support that; Stanford is insufferable now from everything I hear). By the same token, the Ivies are out. But I would love my kid to find a place that is fun the way that college used to be fun: yes, hard work, yes challenging academics, but also just plain fun. Does that exist any more or has that concept for college been totally destroyed?

Did you have "fun" in college? How about your alma mater to start with?