Colleges with happy kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VT, JMU

+100

JMU seemed like another NOVA high school on the tour. Grade 13 my DD says it’s called. I really am glad she didn’t end up there. Not sure about the happiness factor, but if your DC liked high school looks like a good continuation.

What HS has 720 acres and 20,000 students? If a kid goes to JMU and it feels like grade 13, that’s on them. It’s not a feature of the school.

+1
The PP is the usual malcontent who has some kind of weird hangup about JMU. It's a great school full of smart and nice students. I guess that annoys some people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts about misery and depression at CMU, Chicago, Cornell (all on my kids list btw) have me thinking...where are kids HAPPY? Besides Brown? (Ideally, a little easier to get into than Brown!)

JMU. Students are happy, Parents are happy, school staff super happy at all times....

Remember, It's cold up North, Colder weather brings misery and depression.

I know 3 boys that left due to mental health issues that weren’t there prior. It is an overwhelming alcohol scene.

Not everyone drinks. There is so much to do there, on campus and off.

Talk to your. Kids. Alcohol and drugs can be deadly, quick or slow.

We have a very happy senior at JMU. Professors and administrators are very supportive.

But as a parent, please talk to your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These posts about misery and depression at CMU, Chicago, Cornell (all on my kids list btw) have me thinking...where are kids HAPPY? Besides Brown? (Ideally, a little easier to get into than Brown!)

My kid is very happy at Penn and they have a great high school friend who is happy at Hopkins and another who is happy at William and Mary! Fit is key! Top schools are not for everyone YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ivies it's Brown and Dartmouth.

Dartmouth even specifically selects kids that they are sure will thrive there, not just the academically gifted.

Which is why you see some kids rejected by Dartmouth but accepted into HYPS.

The two most miserable ivy kids we know are a sophomore at Brown and a Junior at Dartmouth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts about misery and depression at CMU, Chicago, Cornell (all on my kids list btw) have me thinking...where are kids HAPPY? Besides Brown? (Ideally, a little easier to get into than Brown!)

My kid is very happy at Penn and they have a great high school friend who is happy at Hopkins and another who is happy at William and Mary! Fit is key! Top schools are not for everyone YMMV

you just named top schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ivies it's Brown and Dartmouth.

Dartmouth even specifically selects kids that they are sure will thrive there, not just the academically gifted.

Which is why you see some kids rejected by Dartmouth but accepted into HYPS.

The two most miserable ivy kids we know are a sophomore at Brown and a Junior at Dartmouth.

yes, know an unhappy (very lonely) Dartmouth kid who also just started her 3rd year. I don't know if this is just been luck of the draw or if it's something wider. She was previously very happy and social in high school but Dartmouth has not been her fit, at all.

I do think that it's a unique place that works for some and not for others--far more so that other universities/colleges.

[Anonymous]

Very happy student at Michigan (Engineering).

DC has come out his shell, very social, where he was not so much during HS. Classes are challenging but not too hard, has As. Loves the school spirit and sporting events (despite their poor football record this year). Happy and well adjusted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Small liberal arts colleges like Middlebury, Wesleyan, Haverford, Amherst.

This is very subjective. Some kids are just thrilled to be anywhere away. And some kids will be complainers no matter where they go.

I went to one of those schools and feel like it was the biggest mistake of my life. Overrated academics, too many wealthy brats, too small, boring, too pricey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ivies it's Brown and Dartmouth.

Dartmouth even specifically selects kids that they are sure will thrive there, not just the academically gifted.

Which is why you see some kids rejected by Dartmouth but accepted into HYPS.

The two most miserable ivy kids we know are a sophomore at Brown and a Junior at Dartmouth.

Why are they miserable?

[Anonymous]

My dc and his friends are extremely happy at McGill.

Dc’s Bff from high school is not loving Michigan which surprised me. I thought everyone loved it there.

But overall, most of the kids we know are fairly happy where they are. I think it has to do with managed expectations and not focusing on a ‘dream’ perfect school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts about misery and depression at CMU, Chicago, Cornell (all on my kids list btw) have me thinking...where are kids HAPPY? Besides Brown? (Ideally, a little easier to get into than Brown!)

My kid is very happy at Penn and they have a great high school friend who is happy at Hopkins and another who is happy at William and Mary! Fit is key! Top schools are not for everyone YMMV

you just named top schools

Hmm. One of those is not like the others.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts about misery and depression at CMU, Chicago, Cornell (all on my kids list btw) have me thinking...where are kids HAPPY? Besides Brown? (Ideally, a little easier to get into than Brown!)

JMU. Students are happy, Parents are happy, school staff super happy at all times....

Remember, It's cold up North, Colder weather brings misery and depression.

I know 3 boys that left due to mental health issues that weren’t there prior. It is an overwhelming alcohol scene.

Not everyone drinks. There is so much to do there, on campus and off.

Talk to your. Kids. Alcohol and drugs can be deadly, quick or slow.

We have a very happy senior at JMU. Professors and administrators are very supportive.

But as a parent, please talk to your kids.

+1
Very happy sophomore there.

[Anonymous]

Notre Dame
Never seen happier. It’s a little weird, in a good way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
Never seen happier. It’s a little weird, in a good way.

I went to Notre Dame and found it little good, in a weird way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VT, JMU

+100

JMU seemed like another NOVA high school on the tour. Grade 13 my DD says it’s called. I really am glad she didn’t end up there. Not sure about the happiness factor, but if your DC liked high school looks like a good continuation.

College is definitely NOT a Continuation of High School, academically or socially.

My son is at JMU and he found comforting and great for future Networking purposes meeting People from other NOVA schools.

I attended OOS myself and, long term, I came back home and didn't stay in touch with many of my College friends who were scattered around. Those that were In-state seemed to have more things in common. I wanted that for my son!

Also, during tour you see a lot of people that, like you, are just touring... you still need to get admitted, the numbers and faces will look different then....