top sports/weather trumps academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is going to Ivies for sports culture. There are small pockets of fun, but most are unattended. There are different sources of fun which is the draw for some. So, the weather seeking sports fan are looking for different things and that’s okay.

It did exist — very much so — in the not so distant past.

[Anonymous]

The Ivy athletes are great athletes and taking a break to enjoy some sunshine and a game is great for student wellness. I just wish they had more spirit and people other than their families showing up for games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Ivy athletes are great athletes and taking a break to enjoy some sunshine and a game is great for student wellness. I just wish they had more spirit and people other than their families showing up for games.

They are great athletes and students. But, that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and these top students largely grinding should unwind how they choose. I do feel bad for athletes, but they’ll do just fine in the end. Admittedly after many years living in UK, I find it weird how intertwined sports are.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Vandy and Duke academics are just as good as Ivy so a no brainer.

I agree with your comments on the academics. There are many schools with undergraduate academics just as strong as the Ivies.

However, the increased interest in the Southern schools isn't happening at the expense of elite NE schools. This is easy to see because applications at top NE schools aren't dropping in any significant manner as the applications to the Southern schools goes up. and, those getting into elite NE schools are far more likely to choose them over Southern schools. It is nice to see Vandy, Rice, and Duke get the recognition that they deserve but to think that they are in any way being favored relative to top NE schools is naive.

How “top” though? MIT and Yale, you’re probably right. Tufts, Cornell and Dartmouth? I respectfully disagree.

My n of 1 sample size — my kid — picked Vandy over Columbia. They do not regret this choice and are taking advantage of the excellent academic experience AND greek life and the fun music/ bar/party culture of Nashville

I agree with this. I have two kids that made similar choices. I don't think many students are saying no to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, or Princeton. But it's not a surprise that a lot of students prefer the southern alternatives to the Ivies. No one is giving up anything by choosing Duke, Vandy, or Rice over Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, or Penn. And sports and weather may very well be part of the calculation.

Why are you adding Rice? Culturally so much different than the premise of the thread.

NP how is Rice different culturally? Is it on par with Duke, Penn or Brown academically?

It has a kind, nerdy vibe. Like a slightly less intense UChicago or MIT mixed with a bit of SLAC softness.

This makes Rice sound pretty nice. Is Houston really that horrible? worse than Nashville and Durham?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Vandy and Duke academics are just as good as Ivy so a no brainer.

I agree with your comments on the academics. There are many schools with undergraduate academics just as strong as the Ivies.

However, the increased interest in the Southern schools isn't happening at the expense of elite NE schools. This is easy to see because applications at top NE schools aren't dropping in any significant manner as the applications to the Southern schools goes up. and, those getting into elite NE schools are far more likely to choose them over Southern schools. It is nice to see Vandy, Rice, and Duke get the recognition that they deserve but to think that they are in any way being favored relative to top NE schools is naive.

How “top” though? MIT and Yale, you’re probably right. Tufts, Cornell and Dartmouth? I respectfully disagree.

My n of 1 sample size — my kid — picked Vandy over Columbia. They do not regret this choice and are taking advantage of the excellent academic experience AND greek life and the fun music/ bar/party culture of Nashville

I agree with this. I have two kids that made similar choices. I don't think many students are saying no to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, or Princeton. But it's not a surprise that a lot of students prefer the southern alternatives to the Ivies. No one is giving up anything by choosing Duke, Vandy, or Rice over Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, or Penn. And sports and weather may very well be part of the calculation.

Why are you adding Rice? Culturally so much different than the premise of the thread.

NP how is Rice different culturally? Is it on par with Duke, Penn or Brown academically?

It has a kind, nerdy vibe. Like a slightly less intense UChicago or MIT mixed with a bit of SLAC softness.

This makes Rice sound pretty nice. Is Houston really that horrible? worse than Nashville and Durham?

Rice is lovely and in a nice neighborhood. Is it called the museum district or something?

[Anonymous]

Northwestern by any metric is not nearly as good as Duke and the horrible weather no thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is going to Ivies for sports culture. There are small pockets of fun, but most are unattended. There are different sources of fun which is the draw for some. So, the weather seeking sports fan are looking for different things and that’s okay.

It did exist — very much so — in the not so distant past.

Someone hasn’t been to a Harvard- Yale game in recent years. Btw, most years, Vandy and Duke football suck and no one goes. The last year or two for Vandy has been an aberration.

Duke has basketball, the Ivies have hockey, and all, except, Vandy, have lacrosse. Plenty for kids to cheer for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Vandy and Duke academics are just as good as Ivy so a no brainer.

I agree with your comments on the academics. There are many schools with undergraduate academics just as strong as the Ivies.

However, the increased interest in the Southern schools isn't happening at the expense of elite NE schools. This is easy to see because applications at top NE schools aren't dropping in any significant manner as the applications to the Southern schools goes up. and, those getting into elite NE schools are far more likely to choose them over Southern schools. It is nice to see Vandy, Rice, and Duke get the recognition that they deserve but to think that they are in any way being favored relative to top NE schools is naive.

How “top” though? MIT and Yale, you’re probably right. Tufts, Cornell and Dartmouth? I respectfully disagree.

My n of 1 sample size — my kid — picked Vandy over Columbia. They do not regret this choice and are taking advantage of the excellent academic experience AND greek life and the fun music/ bar/party culture of Nashville

I agree with this. I have two kids that made similar choices. I don't think many students are saying no to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, or Princeton. But it's not a surprise that a lot of students prefer the southern alternatives to the Ivies. No one is giving up anything by choosing Duke, Vandy, or Rice over Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, or Penn. And sports and weather may very well be part of the calculation.

Why are you adding Rice? Culturally so much different than the premise of the thread.

NP how is Rice different culturally? Is it on par with Duke, Penn or Brown academically?

It has a kind, nerdy vibe. Like a slightly less intense UChicago or MIT mixed with a bit of SLAC softness.

This makes Rice sound pretty nice. Is Houston really that horrible? worse than Nashville and Durham?

It’s a great pick for nerdy stem kids. Four year residential colleges help smooth out the awkwardness. Really has nothing in common with Duke and Vandy socially or sports wise, tho.

[Anonymous]

The Ivy League sports is horrible. Harvard home football attendance excluding Yale, is 5,000-8,000. Trend is getting worse. Duke has multiple great sports programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vandy and Duke academics are just as good as Ivy so a no brainer.

I agree with your comments on the academics. There are many schools with undergraduate academics just as strong as the Ivies.

However, the increased interest in the Southern schools isn't happening at the expense of elite NE schools. This is easy to see because applications at top NE schools aren't dropping in any significant manner as the applications to the Southern schools goes up. and, those getting into elite NE schools are far more likely to choose them over Southern schools. It is nice to see Vandy, Rice, and Duke get the recognition that they deserve but to think that they are in any way being favored relative to top NE schools is naive.

How “top” though? MIT and Yale, you’re probably right. Tufts, Cornell and Dartmouth? I respectfully disagree.

My n of 1 sample size — my kid — picked Vandy over Columbia. They do not regret this choice and are taking advantage of the excellent academic experience AND greek life and the fun music/ bar/party culture of Nashville

I agree with this. I have two kids that made similar choices. I don't think many students are saying no to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, or Princeton. But it's not a surprise that a lot of students prefer the southern alternatives to the Ivies. No one is giving up anything by choosing Duke, Vandy, or Rice over Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, or Penn. And sports and weather may very well be part of the calculation.

Why are you adding Rice? Culturally so much different than the premise of the thread.

NP how is Rice different culturally? Is it on par with Duke, Penn or Brown academically?

It has a kind, nerdy vibe. Like a slightly less intense UChicago or MIT mixed with a bit of SLAC softness.

This makes Rice sound pretty nice. Is Houston really that horrible? worse than Nashville and Durham?

It’s a great pick for nerdy stem kids. Four year residential colleges help smooth out the awkwardness. Really has nothing in common with Duke and Vandy socially or sports wise, tho.

Adding this isn’t a dig on Rice athletics, just that most kids chose it for its residential college system and a chance to be with their “people.” It’s for kids who want a more restrained kind of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Ivy League sports is horrible. Harvard home football attendance excluding Yale, is 5,000-8,000. Trend is getting worse. Duke has multiple great sports programs.

Harvard averaged 9000 attendees per game this past season, that’s a few thousand more than its total undergrad population.

[Anonymous]

Not at our private.

The big southern SEC fad kinda of got destroyed by MAGA/Trump. Less want to be in the southeast this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Ivy League sports is horrible. Harvard home football attendance excluding Yale, is 5,000-8,000. Trend is getting worse. Duke has multiple great sports programs.

+1
Attended a Princeton vs. Penn football game last season thinking it would be fun. The two teams + bands combined were 2x larger than the audience, and the audience was mostly students who were looking down at their phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The TikTok effect when it comes to college admissions is very real.

Yes, the dumbing down of our culture. The true academics aren’t wooed by sports and weather as a deciding factor. That being said, I see the appeal for less serious that want more balance. Spots and Greek life/parties aren’t everyone’s chosen fun though. I’d say the top students still want the usual suspects at our school.

Same ^^^. Ivies/T-10s/20s still reign supreme. No surprise there. It’s just that they are so hard to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Ivy League sports is horrible. Harvard home football attendance excluding Yale, is 5,000-8,000. Trend is getting worse. Duke has multiple great sports programs.

Harvard averaged 9000 attendees per game this past season, that’s a few thousand more than its total undergrad population.

Adding the Harvard Yale game was at Yale this year, so doesn’t factor into those numbers

52,000 attendees for the 2025 Harvard Yale game.