Most social, fun and extroverted selective schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This still holds true for Northwestern, according to my very social (and equally brainy) niece who goes there now!

That is not its current reputation.

Agree. My kid went to Northwestern thinking it would be a great mix of brains & social life. Turned out to be full of nerds tripping on wokism.

Is Duke like this too?

Duke is not terribly "woke", at least not over any other T10. It has brains and social life: they almost all are intense and brainy yet a large group also like to go socialize in groups 1-2 nights a week. 3 is rare. It is similar to ivies, northwestern, and all the others as far as high % of super smart kids who study hard, have uber competitive and non-cut clubs, some gun for top med or law, and others for jane street et al, others go into nonprofit work or teach for america type things. Caveat: our relative at NU does not think it is "nerds tripping on wokism" so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This still holds true for Northwestern, according to my very social (and equally brainy) niece who goes there now!

That is not its current reputation.

+1 its a gunner school just like the rest of top 15 privates

Is NU a gunner school now?
Or just very international? Very Asian?
Lends a more serious vibe.

- I say this as an Asian American

A school can have intense and serious students who are also social and like to go out. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. NU has plenty of students who are social. Some of the social kids you might describe as gunners, although I’m not a fan of the term.

+1 on that note this thread should close

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brown

?really mine almost transferred out and so did their roommate due to no social life.

What do you mean by no social life? Hard to make friends or not enough partying? Or something else?

[Anonymous]

This whole thing is people defending their kids choices. Or is it their choice?
Why can’t anyone be honest?

“Yeah it was less social that kid hoped but everyone adjusted? It’s only 4 years etc. job outcomes great notwithstanding the fact that that kid was cut from every competitive club, freshman and sophomore year…and was devastated”

Why so defensive about your brilliant academic yet “social” kids who go out no more than 2x a week at xyz Ivy?

[Anonymous]

Claremont Mckenna is THE social, fun & extroverted school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Claremont Mckenna is THE social, fun & extroverted school.

Oooh
That’s interesting. And new to the discussion.

What makes it so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This still holds true for Northwestern, according to my very social (and equally brainy) niece who goes there now!

That is not its current reputation.

+1 its a gunner school just like the rest of top 15 privates

Is NU a gunner school now?
Or just very international? Very Asian?
Lends a more serious vibe.

- I say this as an Asian American

Now that it is ranked #6 be prepared for Northwestern to be even MORE intense and filled with more gunners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent graduate of the top school that conventional wisdom has declared FUN (Vanderbilt). This kid has a close friend attending the School Where Fun Goes to Die (Chicago) during the same years.

My kid, during many trips to stay with his friend on campus, found Chicago much more social, genuinely engaging and collaborative than Vanderbilt. People actually looked up from their phones and engaged and talked to each other and formed new clubs.

If however an elaborate tailgate scene is what you're actually asking, then yes, Vandy does well in that regard

Agree

Have heard the UChicago fun description a lot over last 2-3 years.

Is it still true today?

How do kids socialize? Downtown Chicago?

I had heard that Chicago kids were more mainstream, laid back but then we visited during their summer open house and 95% of our fellow prospective students appeared to be smart, quirky kids (nothing wrong with that but it was clearly a marked demographic).

honestly, I don't think you can avoid this at any top20 schools in 2025 except the state schools that are required to take smart but not super-gunner in-state students. The rest of their student bodies are primarily a grinder, geeky bunch. We toured a dozen top20 schools this summer and all the prospective student tours were filled with kids who looked like they don't leave their bedrooms except for school. Even Vanderbilt and Duke--it was no different there.

I know my post sounds highly critical of geeks but I actually was one (and married a guy who was even more of a science odd-ball (we met in an engineering program.) Unfortunately my kids (junior and senior) are pretty main-stream, very social but smart. They tour the top20 private schools in 2025 and feel like they don't see their people. They likely (fingers crossed) will end up at large state schools.

And my extremely bright yet social kid loved over half the t20s we toured and loves their ivy, and little sibling is aiming for a different ivy…to each their own i say! It is great yours realized that type of academic environment is not for them

No. Your kid is just nerdier than the previous poster’s kid and my own kid. And it’s OK.

Revel in their nerdiness, but let other people try to find their people too.
What’s the harm in them posting their opinion? Fii ok r a post about their kind of kid?

Glad your kid found their ppl - guess what. You’re not the target audience for this post. Read the title!

I read the title. My kid's "people" are soclal and extroverted just as they are. But at an ivy. Shocker there are socially extroverted brilliant kids too. The stereotype that they are all introverted , super nerdy, and do not leave the library is tiresome. The ivies and similar t15 provide the best of both worlds: unparalleled academics plus hundreds of clubs, performance arts, and more where brilliant kids have FUN and it is ok to care about intellectual things. We have been on campus many weekends and have seen the parties, and also heard about parties departments and professors have, for undergrads and grad students.
The whole "ivies are so nerdy" is mostly copium.

So you think parties hosted by academic departments and professors are fun and are examples of the vibrant social life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Claremont Mckenna is THE social, fun & extroverted school.

Oooh
That’s interesting. And new to the discussion.

What makes it so?

I’m old, but Claremont McKenna had this reputation even back in the 80s and 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole thing is people defending their kids choices. Or is it their choice?
Why can’t anyone be honest?

“Yeah it was less social that kid hoped but everyone adjusted? It’s only 4 years etc. job outcomes great notwithstanding the fact that that kid was cut from every competitive club, freshman and sophomore year…and was devastated”

Why so defensive about your brilliant academic yet “social” kids who go out no more than 2x a week at xyz Ivy?

NP to this thread. Maybe because xyz ivy is NOT less social than kid hoped? Maybe because yours is one of several which either imply or directly state that you do not believe ivy kids are social (you put social in quotes). I will grant you, it has been a lot of work: classes require many hours each, some 10hrs a week outside class, & grading on midterms seems harsh compared high school and compared to a family we know very well with one at a non-flagship. I have commiserated and agreed on the other thread with the stressed out kid at Pomona that it is a big step up and can lead to a lot of mental stress at times, for mine and their peers. They have so many approachable kind professors that it makes up for the occasional oddball who is not great at teaching. They blow off steam and go out with friends, pick out clothes for the various weekend theme parties, and have fun. That is a non-defensive accurate assessment of the ivy. They are a junior and have said numerous times that it is the most incredible place they have ever been and they are so thankful they got to go. They will likely still say the same after the unavoidable dissappointments there will be as they chase internships for next summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent graduate of the top school that conventional wisdom has declared FUN (Vanderbilt). This kid has a close friend attending the School Where Fun Goes to Die (Chicago) during the same years.

My kid, during many trips to stay with his friend on campus, found Chicago much more social, genuinely engaging and collaborative than Vanderbilt. People actually looked up from their phones and engaged and talked to each other and formed new clubs.

If however an elaborate tailgate scene is what you're actually asking, then yes, Vandy does well in that regard

Agree

Have heard the UChicago fun description a lot over last 2-3 years.

Is it still true today?

How do kids socialize? Downtown Chicago?

I had heard that Chicago kids were more mainstream, laid back but then we visited during their summer open house and 95% of our fellow prospective students appeared to be smart, quirky kids (nothing wrong with that but it was clearly a marked demographic).

honestly, I don't think you can avoid this at any top20 schools in 2025 except the state schools that are required to take smart but not super-gunner in-state students. The rest of their student bodies are primarily a grinder, geeky bunch. We toured a dozen top20 schools this summer and all the prospective student tours were filled with kids who looked like they don't leave their bedrooms except for school. Even Vanderbilt and Duke--it was no different there.

I know my post sounds highly critical of geeks but I actually was one (and married a guy who was even more of a science odd-ball (we met in an engineering program.) Unfortunately my kids (junior and senior) are pretty main-stream, very social but smart. They tour the top20 private schools in 2025 and feel like they don't see their people. They likely (fingers crossed) will end up at large state schools.

And my extremely bright yet social kid loved over half the t20s we toured and loves their ivy, and little sibling is aiming for a different ivy…to each their own i say! It is great yours realized that type of academic environment is not for them

No. Your kid is just nerdier than the previous poster’s kid and my own kid. And it’s OK.

Revel in their nerdiness, but let other people try to find their people too.
What’s the harm in them posting their opinion? Fii ok r a post about their kind of kid?

Glad your kid found their ppl - guess what. You’re not the target audience for this post. Read the title!

I read the title. My kid's "people" are soclal and extroverted just as they are. But at an ivy. Shocker there are socially extroverted brilliant kids too. The stereotype that they are all introverted , super nerdy, and do not leave the library is tiresome. The ivies and similar t15 provide the best of both worlds: unparalleled academics plus hundreds of clubs, performance arts, and more where brilliant kids have FUN and it is ok to care about intellectual things. We have been on campus many weekends and have seen the parties, and also heard about parties departments and professors have, for undergrads and grad students.
The whole "ivies are so nerdy" is mostly copium.

So you think parties hosted by academic departments and professors are fun and are examples of the vibrant social life?

Same NP as the previous but I happen to have just gotten pictures from a (large) department party for undergrad majors and grad students. It was an earth-wind-fire party and they played beer pong and ate pizza with grad and some professors came, dressed up, & played too. Most of them have ongoing research with some of these grad and profs too so spent the summer around them. I did not ask if 21 and up but in the past this has been the case if professors are invited. They had it at a house right near campus and had a DJ. It was definitely a fun party--students can have fun and socialize with people who are in different phases of life. It is odd to me you do not think that is possible? Last year this department hosted wine and cheese at a museum where they all dressed up and yes it was fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent graduate of the top school that conventional wisdom has declared FUN (Vanderbilt). This kid has a close friend attending the School Where Fun Goes to Die (Chicago) during the same years.

My kid, during many trips to stay with his friend on campus, found Chicago much more social, genuinely engaging and collaborative than Vanderbilt. People actually looked up from their phones and engaged and talked to each other and formed new clubs.

If however an elaborate tailgate scene is what you're actually asking, then yes, Vandy does well in that regard

Agree

Have heard the UChicago fun description a lot over last 2-3 years.

Is it still true today?

How do kids socialize? Downtown Chicago?

I had heard that Chicago kids were more mainstream, laid back but then we visited during their summer open house and 95% of our fellow prospective students appeared to be smart, quirky kids (nothing wrong with that but it was clearly a marked demographic).

honestly, I don't think you can avoid this at any top20 schools in 2025 except the state schools that are required to take smart but not super-gunner in-state students. The rest of their student bodies are primarily a grinder, geeky bunch. We toured a dozen top20 schools this summer and all the prospective student tours were filled with kids who looked like they don't leave their bedrooms except for school. Even Vanderbilt and Duke--it was no different there.

I know my post sounds highly critical of geeks but I actually was one (and married a guy who was even more of a science odd-ball (we met in an engineering program.) Unfortunately my kids (junior and senior) are pretty main-stream, very social but smart. They tour the top20 private schools in 2025 and feel like they don't see their people. They likely (fingers crossed) will end up at large state schools.

And my extremely bright yet social kid loved over half the t20s we toured and loves their ivy, and little sibling is aiming for a different ivy…to each their own i say! It is great yours realized that type of academic environment is not for them

No. Your kid is just nerdier than the previous poster’s kid and my own kid. And it’s OK.

Revel in their nerdiness, but let other people try to find their people too.
What’s the harm in them posting their opinion? Fii ok r a post about their kind of kid?

Glad your kid found their ppl - guess what. You’re not the target audience for this post. Read the title!

I read the title. My kid's "people" are soclal and extroverted just as they are. But at an ivy. Shocker there are socially extroverted brilliant kids too. The stereotype that they are all introverted , super nerdy, and do not leave the library is tiresome. The ivies and similar t15 provide the best of both worlds: unparalleled academics plus hundreds of clubs, performance arts, and more where brilliant kids have FUN and it is ok to care about intellectual things. We have been on campus many weekends and have seen the parties, and also heard about parties departments and professors have, for undergrads and grad students.
The whole "ivies are so nerdy" is mostly copium.

So you think parties hosted by academic departments and professors are fun and are examples of the vibrant social life?

Same NP as the previous but I happen to have just gotten pictures from a (large) department party for undergrad majors and grad students. It was an earth-wind-fire party and they played beer pong and ate pizza with grad and some professors came, dressed up, & played too. Most of them have ongoing research with some of these grad and profs too so spent the summer around them. I did not ask if 21 and up but in the past this has been the case if professors are invited. They had it at a house right near campus and had a DJ. It was definitely a fun party--students can have fun and socialize with people who are in different phases of life. It is odd to me you do not think that is possible? Last year this department hosted wine and cheese at a museum where they all dressed up and yes it was fun!

This is beyond nerd patrol.
My kid is at a T10 and this does not sound like fun.

The type of people who think this is fun are not the type of social this post is directed to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Claremont Mckenna is THE social, fun & extroverted school.

Oooh
That’s interesting. And new to the discussion.

What makes it so?

Drinking and coke. It’s been that way for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent graduate of the top school that conventional wisdom has declared FUN (Vanderbilt). This kid has a close friend attending the School Where Fun Goes to Die (Chicago) during the same years.

My kid, during many trips to stay with his friend on campus, found Chicago much more social, genuinely engaging and collaborative than Vanderbilt. People actually looked up from their phones and engaged and talked to each other and formed new clubs.

If however an elaborate tailgate scene is what you're actually asking, then yes, Vandy does well in that regard

Agree

Have heard the UChicago fun description a lot over last 2-3 years.

Is it still true today?

How do kids socialize? Downtown Chicago?

I had heard that Chicago kids were more mainstream, laid back but then we visited during their summer open house and 95% of our fellow prospective students appeared to be smart, quirky kids (nothing wrong with that but it was clearly a marked demographic).

honestly, I don't think you can avoid this at any top20 schools in 2025 except the state schools that are required to take smart but not super-gunner in-state students. The rest of their student bodies are primarily a grinder, geeky bunch. We toured a dozen top20 schools this summer and all the prospective student tours were filled with kids who looked like they don't leave their bedrooms except for school. Even Vanderbilt and Duke--it was no different there.

I know my post sounds highly critical of geeks but I actually was one (and married a guy who was even more of a science odd-ball (we met in an engineering program.) Unfortunately my kids (junior and senior) are pretty main-stream, very social but smart. They tour the top20 private schools in 2025 and feel like they don't see their people. They likely (fingers crossed) will end up at large state schools.

And my extremely bright yet social kid loved over half the t20s we toured and loves their ivy, and little sibling is aiming for a different ivy…to each their own i say! It is great yours realized that type of academic environment is not for them

No. Your kid is just nerdier than the previous poster’s kid and my own kid. And it’s OK.

Revel in their nerdiness, but let other people try to find their people too.
What’s the harm in them posting their opinion? Fii ok r a post about their kind of kid?

Glad your kid found their ppl - guess what. You’re not the target audience for this post. Read the title!

I read the title. My kid's "people" are soclal and extroverted just as they are. But at an ivy. Shocker there are socially extroverted brilliant kids too. The stereotype that they are all introverted , super nerdy, and do not leave the library is tiresome. The ivies and similar t15 provide the best of both worlds: unparalleled academics plus hundreds of clubs, performance arts, and more where brilliant kids have FUN and it is ok to care about intellectual things. We have been on campus many weekends and have seen the parties, and also heard about parties departments and professors have, for undergrads and grad students.
The whole "ivies are so nerdy" is mostly copium.

So you think parties hosted by academic departments and professors are fun and are examples of the vibrant social life?

lol

[Anonymous]

What’s more fun:
Vandy or Duke??

And if you had to rank these 4 - for a traditionally extroverted and social kid - whose idea of fun includes non-academic parties, bars, on and off-campus socializing, potentially also Greek life if available:

Stanford
Duke
Vanderbilt
Northwestern