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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:University of Florida. Go Gators!

Same. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP went to Stanford, which has lost its fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP went to Stanford, which has lost its fun.

Duh, I missed that part.

[Anonymous]

Schools with warm weather that are not soul crushing academically or prestige hunting. In other words, less Duke and Vandy, more UGA, UFL, some of the schools in CA and AZ.

Obviously 18-21yo students can have fun anywhere, but warmer weather means more options, more of the year. Same goes with small rural town vs more vibrant college town or city. There is a reason people like Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Austin TX, even Charlottesville VA, you get the idea.

[Anonymous]

ASU is underrated. Great education, great weather (aside from summer when students are gone), it’s what you make it.

- ASU alum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ASU is underrated. Great education, great weather (aside from summer when students are gone), it’s what you make it.

- ASU alum

The coeds there are in a class of their own. I'm talking a 5 at ASU is a 7 in the SEC and a 10 at Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Wake Forest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe one of the less intense SLACs? Middlebury, Bowdoin?

Colgate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP went to Stanford, which has lost its fun.

I am OP and yes, this is unfortunately correct.

I had such an amazing time there, but I recently visited Stanford and walked around the campus on a Friday night. I was absolutely shocked at how dead-quiet it was, not a single sound to be heard, nobody out and about. A crypt would have had more life.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools with warm weather that are not soul crushing academically or prestige hunting. In other words, less Duke and Vandy, more UGA, UFL, some of the schools in CA and AZ.

Obviously 18-21yo students can have fun anywhere, but warmer weather means more options, more of the year. Same goes with small rural town vs more vibrant college town or city. There is a reason people like Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Austin TX, even Charlottesville VA, you get the idea.

I’m OP and although I generally agree with your point, I am a little worried about weather being too much of a determinant because the weather in Palo Alto is essentially perfect but Stanford has crushed the joy out of student life. I guess Stanford is probably far along the prestige hunting axis of your response, though, to be fair.

[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?

9th grade? Come back in a couple of years.

[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?

I hear you about Stanford. It was the fun nerd school in the 90s. Didn't go myself, but lots of family did. Seems to be a pretty common refrain - not the same.

Similar with some Ivy League schools.

Mine go to Vanderbilt and Rice. Vanderbilt seems like a good, fun school. Definitely grinding during the week. But certainly a good time Thursday to Sunday. Nashville is fun at that age.

Rice is more particular. But they have a residential college system, which is good. Might be something cheesy like watching rom-coms or playing beach volleyball. But there's always something. It's nerdier than Vandy, but it's a good vibe.

From what what my kids say, their friends at Notre Dame and McGill are having a good time.

[Anonymous]

W&L is exactly as you describe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools with warm weather that are not soul crushing academically or prestige hunting. In other words, less Duke and Vandy, more UGA, UFL, some of the schools in CA and AZ.

Obviously 18-21yo students can have fun anywhere, but warmer weather means more options, more of the year. Same goes with small rural town vs more vibrant college town or city. There is a reason people like Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Austin TX, even Charlottesville VA, you get the idea.

I’m OP and although I generally agree with your point, I am a little worried about weather being too much of a determinant because the weather in Palo Alto is essentially perfect but Stanford has crushed the joy out of student life. I guess Stanford is probably far along the prestige hunting axis of your response, though, to be fair.

Sorry if that was too strong on the prestige part - I am sure Stanford is great. I actually think weather is under-rated as a determinant. Shorter winters if any mean more time outside, parties outside, more sports including club/intramural/pickup, just a fun vibe. To me the killer combo is nice weather combined with ambitious kids. So draw a line from Wake Forest across to Stanford and basically anything below that line that fits your student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools with warm weather that are not soul crushing academically or prestige hunting. In other words, less Duke and Vandy, more UGA, UFL, some of the schools in CA and AZ.

Obviously 18-21yo students can have fun anywhere, but warmer weather means more options, more of the year. Same goes with small rural town vs more vibrant college town or city. There is a reason people like Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Austin TX, even Charlottesville VA, you get the idea.

I’m OP and although I generally agree with your point, I am a little worried about weather being too much of a determinant because the weather in Palo Alto is essentially perfect but Stanford has crushed the joy out of student life. I guess Stanford is probably far along the prestige hunting axis of your response, though, to be fair.

Sorry if that was too strong on the prestige part - I am sure Stanford is great. I actually think weather is under-rated as a determinant. Shorter winters if any mean more time outside, parties outside, more sports including club/intramural/pickup, just a fun vibe. To me the killer combo is nice weather combined with ambitious kids. So draw a line from Wake Forest across to Stanford and basically anything below that line that fits your student.

Oh no need to apologize — you are absolutely correct and I was agreeing with you on the prestige issue.