DD goes to Yale and she is ridiculously happy with her college experience. I've visited on drop off and pick-up weekends and all the kids I see seem to be genuinely happy and "work hard/play hard" types. From an outsiders point of view, they are friendly, helpful and if you ask them about Yale they will gush about their experiences there. As far as New Haven goes, I love the area around the school. I wish I could live there as it is filled with lots of fantastic restaurants and shops. You have to be smart when walking around at night but there are so many people out and about in the streets that I've never been scared, although I do read that muggings and assaults near the school are a reality. The only downside to the school would be the harsh weather. And the price although the financial aid offerings are very generous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

When were you last in New Haven? It has changed a lot in the last twenty years. Very yuppy and gentrified around the campus now. Still a city (as is Providence, RI), so you need to be smart, or course.

Hah, true. I went 20 years ago (I still remember Harlem when it was kind of rough too). Honestly, post recession, Providence maybe in worse shape than New Haven, honestly.

Are these equestrian colleges?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

I'm a Princeton grad btw, so my experience is mostly from visiting for watching football games. Princeton definitely not happiest, a bit to preppy I think but beautiful campus. Cornell campus beautiful too but there is some urban legends of students leaping off the gorges. Dartmouth too isolated and harsh winters. Yale and Harvard are the true Ivy rivals, and both set of students are very driven so being 'happy' may just be another competition. Columbia is in middle of NYC, enough said.

Brown was a bunch of hippies; I kind of wish I had gone there

Maybe consider Standord, Belkeley, and Claremont schools as options too?

OP here. Yes, those schools are on the list including a couple of other California schools. DC is realistic about the competition wherever applying. Happy DC is not a do or die kind of kid.

OP, another parent of a riding senior here, what qualifications do you think a student will need to be admitted to some of the schools being discussed?

I mean a rising senior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

I'm a Princeton grad btw, so my experience is mostly from visiting for watching football games. Princeton definitely not happiest, a bit to preppy I think but beautiful campus. Cornell campus beautiful too but there is some urban legends of students leaping off the gorges. Dartmouth too isolated and harsh winters. Yale and Harvard are the true Ivy rivals, and both set of students are very driven so being 'happy' may just be another competition. Columbia is in middle of NYC, enough said.

Brown was a bunch of hippies; I kind of wish I had gone there

Maybe consider Standord, Belkeley, and Claremont schools as options too?

OP here. Yes, those schools are on the list including a couple of other California schools. DC is realistic about the competition wherever applying. Happy DC is not a do or die kind of kid.

OP, another parent of a riding senior here, what qualifications do you think a student will need to be admitted to some of the schools being discussed?

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

When were you last in New Haven? It has changed a lot in the last twenty years. Very yuppy and gentrified around the campus now. Still a city (as is Providence, RI), so you need to be smart, or course.

Anonymous wrote:If it's good enough for Rory Gilmore and cutie Logan, then I'd say Yale's the best.

Who?

If it's good enough for Rory Gilmore and cutie Logan, then I'd say Yale's the best.

Oh god I loved Yale. You felt pressure to do well but it was mostly internal. The other students were wonderful. I made some lifelong friends, my best friend now is still my Yale roommate of 4 years. I went twenty years ago, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

I'm a Princeton grad btw, so my experience is mostly from visiting for watching football games. Princeton definitely not happiest, a bit to preppy I think but beautiful campus. Cornell campus beautiful too but there is some urban legends of students leaping off the gorges. Dartmouth too isolated and harsh winters. Yale and Harvard are the true Ivy rivals, and both set of students are very driven so being 'happy' may just be another competition. Columbia is in middle of NYC, enough said.

Brown was a bunch of hippies; I kind of wish I had gone there

Maybe consider Standord, Belkeley, and Claremont schools as options too?

OP here. Yes, those schools are on the list including a couple of other California schools. DC is realistic about the competition wherever applying. Happy DC is not a do or die kind of kid.

The idea that someone would rank the ivies from worst to best is hilarious.

Sorry forgot Penn. Really had no impression of that one.

Anonymous wrote:No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

I'm a Princeton grad btw, so my experience is mostly from visiting for watching football games. Princeton definitely not happiest, a bit to preppy I think but beautiful campus. Cornell campus beautiful too but there is some urban legends of students leaping off the gorges. Dartmouth too isolated and harsh winters. Yale and Harvard are the true Ivy rivals, and both set of students are very driven so being 'happy' may just be another competition. Columbia is in middle of NYC, enough said.

Brown was a bunch of hippies; I kind of wish I had gone there

Maybe consider Standord, Belkeley, and Claremont schools as options too?

No way, I think Brown would be happiest. Also New Haven as a town is kind of rough so there's that.

I was reading an article about the 'happiest' of the Ivy schools, and Yale won hands down. It is also the only Ivy that DC is interested in but also has a good mix of other schools to apply to.

If any Yale people would like to share their experiences, it would be appreciated.

Here's the article if interested.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-ivy-league-schools-ranked-2013-9