Reply to What exactly is a “grind school” (undergraduate)?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]To me it means a school where there is no work life balance. Kids are overworked and living with a lot of anxiety; they are not learning for the sake of knowledge, discovery and innovation, but to get good grades and stay afloat. [/b]

I always wonder if these kids graduate to become leaders and bosses, or if they simply transition to become work horses in the work place. [/quote]

This is what I have in mind when I refer to a "grind school".

Obviously, all schools have a mix of kids. No school is all one thing or another.

And yes, the percentage of grindy kids often differs by major within the same school.

That said, I do feel some schools with really smart, hardworking kids don't feel like as much of a grind overall.

Two factors that I've noticed about the less grindy schools:

(1) They seem to attract and/or select enough kids who proactively balance their academics with some social ECs (not just additional resume-building clubs and activities); and 
 
(2) They offer kids big, communal experiences outside the classroom that add dimension and balance to their lives. This could be anything from sports to social clubs (could be Greek life but not necessarily) to regular campus events or festivals or concerts that regularly attract a ton of students, to an off-campus setting that affects the school culture and inspires kids to balance their academics with something else (a vibrant city, an accessible and interesting college town, gorgeous and accessible nature/outdoor activities.)

[/quote]

Cornell has all that you describe and is still grindy.[/quote]

Right?? I know!

Cornell is an interesting one. The reputation is definitely grindy, and the school seems to lean in to it, including with what it chooses to include on it's various IG pages. (We've been following all the schools DD is considering and have been struck by how different they are in what they choose to emphasize.)

And yet DD really liked it when she visited. The academics are an excellent fit in so many ways, and on the non-academic, social side, she loved the active, outdoorsy setting, the option of Greek life, and the size and range of athletic options (to watch and to play). I think it also helps that the kids she knows there from her high school are somewhat balanced and social and are happy there.

Maybe it helps that Cornell is such a big school? Even if the overall vibe is more grindy, there are just so many kids. So maybe there's truly a cohort and a bunch of communities for everyone?[/quote]

Yes. Cornell is big. So in terms of pure numbers, it has more grindy kids than many other schools. But that leaves plenty of room for others. I know a kid there who is your stereotypical work hard, play hard frat boy. And he has definitely found his people there. Very bright, doing well academically, good internships, but also having a blast. So the groups can co-exist.[/quote]

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