My kid still torn after NW day. No unwashed hair but vibe was not what he was expecting. Struggled to connect with kids in his program. He’s an outgoing friendly kid that can talk about anything so he’s really bummed.

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

Kid still torn after Vanderbilt anchor day (admitted students day).
Hearing stories of cliques. Socially competitive atmosphere at Vanderbilt among girls.

Can anyone confirm?

Believe what you hear. It is true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

Top 10 are largely weeding out these types. Which is a shame. My kid is on the quiet nerdy type but is still social and wants a school with an active but inclusive social life. Not sure where to find that. I think it exists at Duke. I am generally not a big Cornell fan but I do know a very nice, social kid having a very fun, fratty experience there, so it does exist, though he might be the exception to the rule. Dartmouth was historically always a fun place - not sure if that is still the case?

My kid is at Vanderbilt but he also liked Notre Dame and Brown for the vibes. You really have to visit schools these days. For my generation, Stanford and Northwestern were regarded as the smart fun schools. But that's a long time ago now and schools change. It was eye opening for us. All the top 20 are going to lean nerdy, but from what we saw and researched Vandy, Notre Dame, Brown, and Yale seem to be the most social and happy schools. I have another kid at Rice, which is definitely on the nerdier side, but it's also very social and inclusive and chill. It's not a hard drinking, frat school of course, but it is warm and friendly. For both kids, Michigan would have been their backup. But there were quite a few T20 schools that seemed surprisingly lonely, cold, and stressful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

LOL !!!

Troll much ?

Yep, all these rich Ivy kids walking around with their dirty hair and Canada goose jackets.

lol.
that definitely describes my kids. i think the messy hair/bedhead trend has survived way too long.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

LOL !!!

Troll much ?

Yep, all these rich Ivy kids walking around with their dirty hair and Canada goose jackets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

My kid is at Cornell. In a frat. Golfs, plays and watches sports with friends, socializes prob too much imo (out at least 4 nights a week if not more, including day partying on the weekends), a lot of greek life events (with other frats and sororities).

How are you making these assumptions about the kids? Is it literally based on the kids you see walking around?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

LOL !!!

Troll much ?

I think you can get a good sense of the school at admitted student day. You see the other kids going. You see kids walking around campus and town. The college puts on its best appearance. If you don’t love it that say you probably won’t. It’s not like the other freshmen are going to be so so different than who is there at admitted student day. Sometimes a school can be perfect on paper but not in real life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

They sound like a good fit for UVA. I wouldn’t bother with other top schools, unlikely they’d be admitted anyway.

Well, it is unlikely anyone will be admitted given acceptance rates, but someone has to get in. This is what I am asking. How are there so many socially awkward and nerdy kids at these top schools now? DS has stats, rigor, and ECs that put him in the running for top 10-20 schools. At a top private and they have confirmed this. Touring these schools has been eye opening.

You’re never going to see these people on a tour during a cold blustery day in March or April in Ithaca or Evanston. You need to go out on a Thursday night in Collegetown and go to level b’s. Or somewhere on Eddy Street to one of the bars or annex parties. If your kid is looking for normal, they need to know that they’re not going to find it walking around or in the library. That’s not where the “normal “kids are - same for Evanston. Most of the kids in Greek life aren’t studying in the main library; they’re in their sorority houses in the rooms around the fireplace or in their dorms on a cold day. I’m sure you could find one out of every 10 in the library during midterms week.

But if you know where to go on a Thursday night or go to a darty on a Saturday on North campus in Evanston, you will find them.

That’s why it’s really important for the social kids to connect with other social kids from there high school or their town And go out with them on campus. That’s when they will get a better sense of fit.

You won’t find social fit on most of these official tours, though you will find evidence for academic fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

They sound like a good fit for UVA. I wouldn’t bother with other top schools, unlikely they’d be admitted anyway.

Well, it is unlikely anyone will be admitted given acceptance rates, but someone has to get in. This is what I am asking. How are there so many socially awkward and nerdy kids at these top schools now? DS has stats, rigor, and ECs that put him in the running for top 10-20 schools. At a top private and they have confirmed this. Touring these schools has been eye opening.

My kid is literally at one and went to admit days at others. I find it ridiculous that spending a few hours somewhere someone can claim thousands of kids are all unhygienic and socially inept. If you truly think that they won’t be happy at an Ivy or the like. Stats, rigor, and EC’s get denied all day long.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

They sound like a good fit for UVA. I wouldn’t bother with other top schools, unlikely they’d be admitted anyway.

Well, it is unlikely anyone will be admitted given acceptance rates, but someone has to get in. This is what I am asking. How are there so many socially awkward and nerdy kids at these top schools now? DS has stats, rigor, and ECs that put him in the running for top 10-20 schools. At a top private and they have confirmed this. Touring these schools has been eye opening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

Top 10 are largely weeding out these types. Which is a shame. My kid is on the quiet nerdy type but is still social and wants a school with an active but inclusive social life. Not sure where to find that. I think it exists at Duke. I am generally not a big Cornell fan but I do know a very nice, social kid having a very fun, fratty experience there, so it does exist, though he might be the exception to the rule. Dartmouth was historically always a fun place - not sure if that is still the case?

My kid is at Yale and there’s a ton of fun socializing. Frats and sororities are more like social clubs than typical Greek life. Senior year there are societies for all types.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

Top 10 are largely weeding out these types. Which is a shame. My kid is on the quiet nerdy type but is still social and wants a school with an active but inclusive social life. Not sure where to find that. I think it exists at Duke. I am generally not a big Cornell fan but I do know a very nice, social kid having a very fun, fratty experience there, so it does exist, though he might be the exception to the rule. Dartmouth was historically always a fun place - not sure if that is still the case?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our dc visited both schools and within 5 minutes said not going to either and committed to a large pubic ivy. Wanted more of a school spirit campus culture and more fun diversity student body. She is very social and can make friends with anyone and can hold variety of conversations. We tried to convince her to go wildcats. But she vehemently opposed.

what is a pubic ivy?

College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
University of California (applies to the campuses as of 1985: Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Davis, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Riverside)
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Texas at Austin
University of Vermont (Burlington)
University of Virginia (Charlottesville)

Miami university doesn’t belong on this list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh these northwestern kids are so painfully awkward on these Wildcat days panels.

Having gone to multiple admitted students days this month, including Vanderbilt, it’s a very different student they are appealing to.

The same kid will likely not like both. This is a question of gut.

The Northwestern kids were so nerdy, my kid was ready to leave before the tour even started. Same at Cornell. These kids look like they don’t wash their hair or care about what they wear at all. I recognize this is harsh, but it was a bit shocking. Where do all the smart, super social kids go to school? Are Top 10s weeding the normal kids out? My DC is very smart, but not nerdy. He is into sports (playing and watching), socializing a lot, golfs, hangs out constantly with friends. He would like to join a fraternity. We thought Northwestern (wrong), Duke or Cornell. I am thinking maybe a big state school? UVA, UCLA, UNC, Michigan? Any Ivies fit the bill?

They sound like a good fit for UVA. I wouldn’t bother with other top schools, unlikely they’d be admitted anyway.