Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 11:07     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/college-hopefuls-have-a-new-ultimate-dream-school-its-not-harvard.html

Top 10 'dream' colleges and universities in 2025
As named by students applying to college

The list shows the top 10 dream schools as named by students applying to college in 2025.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Harvard College Mass.
3. Stanford University Calif.
4. Princeton University N.J.
5. Yale University Conn.
6. Columbia University N.Y.
7. New York University
8. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
9. University of Pennsylvania
10. University of California–Los Angeles

Source: The Princeton Review’s 2025 College Hopes & Worries Survey
CNBC



I am not surprised by students wanting Michigan and UCLA. I am surprised by the inclusion of NYU and Columbia. We toured Columbia and it seemed depressing and stressful and unhappy. And NYU seemed very cold, like it mostly functions as a pied-a-terre for rich kids who want to live in the Village. But I guess the draw of NYC is very appealing to 18 year olds.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 09:53     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
There is pretty good research on this topic by Harvard, U Penn and Boston College professors.

A Revealed Preference Ranking of U.S. Colleges and Universities.

https://www.nber.org/papers/w10803

Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 09:47     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:What about uc berkley. That’s probably the best in terms of academics and intellectual vitality.


There is always perception vs. reality with Berkeley.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 08:35     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:I truly don't understand why Michigan is so hot. It's just another big state school. They're all so similar!


Virtually every program it offers is top 5-10 in the country. Most other state flagships do not have that kind of across the board excellence.

Not a Michigan person, but seriously, look it up. Add to it the winning sports culture and school spirit and anyone can understand why it would be a desirable place to spend 4 years.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 08:33     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:replace UCLA with USC


That’s nice, but inaccurate. Sorry your preference isn’t in agreement with the data.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 08:23     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
replace UCLA with USC
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 01:16     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
DC doesn’t have a dream school but MIT is definitely top 5. Along with Stanford Princeton Caltech and maybe Yale.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 00:30     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Hopkins has never been anyone's dream school.


Fine school, but that is probably true.


+1

Nice school, crappy Baltimore, but not a dream school.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2025 00:22     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I truly don't understand why Michigan is so hot. It's just another big state school. They're all so similar!


I don’t get it either, it’s so cold and far for most. I always think of Sasha Obama and Madonna’s dd transferring out.

Didn’t Madonna go there too, at least for a time?

Anyhow, this is a silly list. The hottest dream school this year, at least in these parts, is USC.


Agree.
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 23:45     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:What about uc berkley. That’s probably the best in terms of academics and intellectual vitality.


+10000
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 23:41     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:What about uc berkley. That’s probably the best in terms of academics and intellectual vitality. [/quote

Dangerous and no good housing. Nit the dream anymore.
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 23:22     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
What about uc berkley. That’s probably the best in terms of academics and intellectual vitality.
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 23:20     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Northeastern? Bucknell?
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 23:18     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:Hopkins has never been anyone's dream school.


Fine school, but that is probably true.
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2025 20:32     Subject: Top ten dream schools 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I truly don't understand why Michigan is so hot. It's just another big state school. They're all so similar!


I don’t get it either, it’s so cold and far for most. I always think of Sasha Obama and Madonna’s dd transferring out.


Far from DC you mean right? Michigan does just about everything very well. It offers the complete collegiate experience.


I wouldn't personally want UM, because of its weather, but agree here. For a kid who doesn't mind or even loves the cold, it sounds pretty ideal. Also, the network is huge. Duke and Stanford as well.