Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we visited Penn State, nearly every kid we saw was wearing Penn State gear and were plastered with smiles. They also claim to have happy cows that make the best ice cream.

If only it weren't in the middle of nowhere

Second Happy Valley!

Even though it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s an easy 3 hour ride from DMV which has been a saving grace for our family.

Third Happy Valley!!! I went there, met my husband there and all my best friends there and it is truly our “happy place.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a mom of a hs senior, I am also probing this question and trying to sift through contradictory info. We see emory listed as a school ranked high on having happy kids, but when we ask people with kids there now, they say there's a lot of high-pressure pre professional angst and that social life is dead and kids to go georgia tech for parties. What is the truth???

Emory is Niche, like Rice Tufts etc. Emory is enjoyable because it's in a Top 5 city for young people. There's 5 other colleges 30 min from each other at most so about 70k other undergrad students to interact with. If your child is willing to venture off campus and explore the city they will enjoy themselves and find their people.

+1 and Emory is also close enough to both UGA and GA Tech so if your kid want to enjoy a college football game…Emory is also very diverse, with many international students and students from all over the country. The main draw back I’ve seen is its reputation as an Ivy backup or 2nd choice, which isn’t always true. Not everyone at Emory was an Ivy/Duke/Vanderbilt/Ivy+ aspirant. However, that’s on the student to ignore that and appreciate and enjoy Emory for what it is.

I think the issue is no on campus social life; limited social options and lack of school spirit/student body bonding. Every Emory student leaves at graduation and doesn’t look back.

The fact that folks here are encouraging people to get out and “interact” w/ other college students from other schools or go to Georgia Tech for socialization confirms that

I am a NP. My DC is a freshman and I can assure you there is a social like for those that are looking for it. There is so much to do on campus and within Atlanta. We have been impressed with the amount of social offerings. I really don't understand why so many people think it is so lacking not to have a football team. We were there for parents weekend/homecoming and it was amazing!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we visited Penn State, nearly every kid we saw was wearing Penn State gear and were plastered with smiles. They also claim to have happy cows that make the best ice cream.

If only it weren't in the middle of nowhere

Second Happy Valley!

Even though it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s an easy 3 hour ride from DMV which has been a saving grace for our family.

Third Happy Valley!!! I went there, met my husband there and all my best friends there and it is truly our “happy place.”

My DD is interested in PSU but worried about it being in the middle of nowhere. I assume there are lots of stuff to do near the campus, no?

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.

Anonymous wrote:Our nephew is thoroughly enjoying Penn and our niece is miserable at Brown, looking to transfer. Our kid loves William and Mary, their high school friend hates WM. Our daughter is applying to CMU this cycle after hearing great feedback from acquaintances there now.
Each student needs to make the best decision they can and realize no school is perfect

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we visited Penn State, nearly every kid we saw was wearing Penn State gear and were plastered with smiles. They also claim to have happy cows that make the best ice cream.

If only it weren't in the middle of nowhere

Second Happy Valley!

Even though it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s an easy 3 hour ride from DMV which has been a saving grace for our family.

Third Happy Valley!!! I went there, met my husband there and all my best friends there and it is truly our “happy place.”

Anonymous wrote:Agree it's all about "fit," but problem is that not everyone's experience is the same, and the conventional wisdom about a school may not bear out for your kid.

My studious introvert is at a school widely known for its social fratty atmosphere, and he's happy as a clam. He found his people (not in a frat), and the other day he said his only complaint is that he has "too many friends" and he needs some rest. If I posted the name of the school and described my kid & asked if he should attend, the overwhelming consensus here would be no. But the reality is that going to a school that probably was out of his comfort zone has been the best possible thing for him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a mom of a hs senior, I am also probing this question and trying to sift through contradictory info. We see emory listed as a school ranked high on having happy kids, but when we ask people with kids there now, they say there's a lot of high-pressure pre professional angst and that social life is dead and kids to go georgia tech for parties. What is the truth???

Emory is Niche, like Rice Tufts etc. Emory is enjoyable because it's in a Top 5 city for young people. There's 5 other colleges 30 min from each other at most so about 70k other undergrad students to interact with. If your child is willing to venture off campus and explore the city they will enjoy themselves and find their people.

+1 and Emory is also close enough to both UGA and GA Tech so if your kid want to enjoy a college football game…Emory is also very diverse, with many international students and students from all over the country. The main draw back I’ve seen is its reputation as an Ivy backup or 2nd choice, which isn’t always true. Not everyone at Emory was an Ivy/Duke/Vanderbilt/Ivy+ aspirant. However, that’s on the student to ignore that and appreciate and enjoy Emory for what it is.

I think the issue is no on campus social life; limited social options and lack of school spirit/student body bonding. Every Emory student leaves at graduation and doesn’t look back.

The fact that folks here are encouraging people to get out and “interact” w/ other college students from other schools or go to Georgia Tech for socialization confirms that

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wesleyan is miserable - cliques galore, and non-stop sobbing since the election - athletes all targeted as republicans regardless of affiliation - lax bros beware

That does sound miserable. What is with these people?