Anonymous
10/30/2025 08:41
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Another thread in which people generalize huge groups of students. OP, every school has a bunch of different “types.”
I was thinking the same thing. When you take out the wealthiest 10-20% of kids (including those who “flaunt” their wealth), you’re left with A LOT of people.
For example, Duke has 6,500 undergrads. Let’s say even 1,500 of them are ridiculously rich kids who (a) flaunt their money; and (b) spend their weekends partying in fields and at off-campus frats. That’s fine. What can you tell us about the other 5,000 kids??
Same for these other schools.
I get there are some obvious stereotypes - often subsets or cliques of kids that are showy and highly visible. But how about the rest of the kids, who number in the thousands and are actually the majority?
Having 1500 uber rich kids on campus is so different from having 150 uber rich kids. Completely, completely, different vibes. What are you talking about?
Please explain how that (intentionally inflated number) could possibly negate the existence of 5000 other kids.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 07:49
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have met several of DC's friends at JHU who are premed. Seem like great kids who have a lot of fun on the weekends.
JHU has a ton of things going on! It's a hard working school where the students let their hair down!
As an alum, who has been there a lot with my kid. No, just no. lol
Anonymous
10/30/2025 07:49
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Almost every student at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, & U Chicago is hard-working. (Have family members at 4 of the 5 universities and family friends at a all five, with only 2 at CMU.)
Regarding "down-to-earth", lots of kids at Duke flaunt/show-off their wealth; U Chicago is very popular with wealthy kids from private schools.
JHU & CMU are grinder schools. A visit should reveal a high percentage of stressed-out students.
All 5 universities are academically outstanding.
Among the five universities, Northwestern University should be given strong consideration, but--as you should know--only admits about 7% of all undergraduate applicants. Whether or not the fast paced quarter system works for your student depends upon one's personal style & preference. NU students take just 4 courses per quarter versus 5 courses at semester based institutions. Many prefer the quarter system due to the efficient use of time and due to the ability to take a greater number and wider variety of courses. However, despite what another poster wrote, humanities students at NU are not enjoying 4.0 GPAs. The kids are brilliant & diligent regardless of major and the professors are experienced at distinguishing A level work products from B level work among highly talented, motivated students.
The city of Chicago is amazing. Lots of excitement & opportunities for students. Evanston (NU) is a safe, upscale suburb of Chicago.
Baltimore is rough & Durham is below average. Pittsburgh is fun.
Applicants should be aware of personal safety on campus and in the surrounding community. Concerns about personal safety at U Chicago & JHU are warranted.
Happiest students are at Duke, Northwestern, & U Chicago. JHU & CMU have very stressful environments. Academic year weather is best at Duke.
If pre-med, then no need to attend any of these super elite schools--while attend your state flagship honors college.
Hopkins was so BAD the past 5-10 years about who they let in. Quality sunk. Too much DEI, no scores, first gen and angry legacy. It’s a shell of its former self. Nothing like the 90s.
Honey, it says your DC got rejected by JHU. lol
Nope. Chose an Ivy instead because didn’t like Baltimore.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 07:35
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can DCUM get over itself? Your kid isn’t too good for Harvard just because you’re obsessed with grandstanding over grade inflation. It’s gonna be a rude awakening when you discover employers don’t give a crap and aren’t obsessed with the grades of these elite institutions.
No one’s even talking about Harvard except you. Maybe try the “Harvard Special Thread,” yeah?
Harvard has been downhill for a while
Anonymous
10/30/2025 05:47
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:I have met several of DC's friends at JHU who are premed. Seem like great kids who have a lot of fun on the weekends.
JHU has a ton of things going on! It's a hard working school where the students let their hair down!
Anonymous
10/30/2025 05:45
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:I’m hoping to send my kid to a pragmatic school with equally ambitious peers — a place where students work hard and play hard (not just coast on grade inflation). Would you say these schools fit that kind of profile better?
No. Striver schools. Take a look at W&M or ND and you will find what you seek.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 05:27
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Duke culture is definitely not down to earth. Lots of big money and lots of private/prep/boarding school kids. These wealthy kids are super social amd greek. .
Duke doesn't allow Greek orgs, so you must be coming from a perspective of many years ago
Anonymous
10/30/2025 02:49
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Almost every student at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, & U Chicago is hard-working. (Have family members at 4 of the 5 universities and family friends at a all five, with only 2 at CMU.)
Regarding "down-to-earth", lots of kids at Duke flaunt/show-off their wealth; U Chicago is very popular with wealthy kids from private schools.
JHU & CMU are grinder schools. A visit should reveal a high percentage of stressed-out students.
All 5 universities are academically outstanding.
Among the five universities, Northwestern University should be given strong consideration, but--as you should know--only admits about 7% of all undergraduate applicants. Whether or not the fast paced quarter system works for your student depends upon one's personal style & preference. NU students take just 4 courses per quarter versus 5 courses at semester based institutions. Many prefer the quarter system due to the efficient use of time and due to the ability to take a greater number and wider variety of courses. However, despite what another poster wrote, humanities students at NU are not enjoying 4.0 GPAs. The kids are brilliant & diligent regardless of major and the professors are experienced at distinguishing A level work products from B level work among highly talented, motivated students.
The city of Chicago is amazing. Lots of excitement & opportunities for students. Evanston (NU) is a safe, upscale suburb of Chicago.
Baltimore is rough & Durham is below average. Pittsburgh is fun.
Applicants should be aware of personal safety on campus and in the surrounding community. Concerns about personal safety at U Chicago & JHU are warranted.
Happiest students are at Duke, Northwestern, & U Chicago. JHU & CMU have very stressful environments. Academic year weather is best at Duke.
If pre-med, then no need to attend any of these super elite schools--while attend your state flagship honors college.
Hopkins was so BAD the past 5-10 years about who they let in. Quality sunk. Too much DEI, no scores, first gen and angry legacy. It’s a shell of its former self. Nothing like the 90s.
Honey, it says your DC got rejected by JHU. lol
Best to ignore the idiots. He couldn't get in 10 years ago and isn't getting in now.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:48
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Almost every student at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, & U Chicago is hard-working. (Have family members at 4 of the 5 universities and family friends at a all five, with only 2 at CMU.)
Regarding "down-to-earth", lots of kids at Duke flaunt/show-off their wealth; U Chicago is very popular with wealthy kids from private schools.
JHU & CMU are grinder schools. A visit should reveal a high percentage of stressed-out students.
All 5 universities are academically outstanding.
Among the five universities, Northwestern University should be given strong consideration, but--as you should know--only admits about 7% of all undergraduate applicants. Whether or not the fast paced quarter system works for your student depends upon one's personal style & preference. NU students take just 4 courses per quarter versus 5 courses at semester based institutions. Many prefer the quarter system due to the efficient use of time and due to the ability to take a greater number and wider variety of courses. However, despite what another poster wrote, humanities students at NU are not enjoying 4.0 GPAs. The kids are brilliant & diligent regardless of major and the professors are experienced at distinguishing A level work products from B level work among highly talented, motivated students.
The city of Chicago is amazing. Lots of excitement & opportunities for students. Evanston (NU) is a safe, upscale suburb of Chicago.
Baltimore is rough & Durham is below average. Pittsburgh is fun.
Applicants should be aware of personal safety on campus and in the surrounding community. Concerns about personal safety at U Chicago & JHU are warranted.
Happiest students are at Duke, Northwestern, & U Chicago. JHU & CMU have very stressful environments. Academic year weather is best at Duke.
If pre-med, then no need to attend any of these super elite schools--while attend your state flagship honors college.
Hopkins was so BAD the past 5-10 years about who they let in. Quality sunk. Too much DEI, no scores, first gen and angry legacy. It’s a shell of its former self. Nothing like the 90s.
Honey, it says your DC got rejected by JHU. lol
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:34
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
* Their kids with their
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:34
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Can DCUM get over itself? Your kid isn’t too good for Harvard just because you’re obsessed with grandstanding over grade inflation. It’s gonna be a rude awakening when you discover employers don’t give a crap and aren’t obsessed with the grades of these elite institutions.
Ha!!! They’d kids with they’d wildly grade inflated HS transcripts. They are worried about college grade inflation—-yeah more likely they’d kid can’t get accepted to an Ivy/T10/20, if they did they would see how much those kids work no matter the grades.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:31
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Almost every student at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, & U Chicago is hard-working. (Have family members at 4 of the 5 universities and family friends at a all five, with only 2 at CMU.)
Regarding "down-to-earth", lots of kids at Duke flaunt/show-off their wealth; U Chicago is very popular with wealthy kids from private schools.
JHU & CMU are grinder schools. A visit should reveal a high percentage of stressed-out students.
All 5 universities are academically outstanding.
Among the five universities, Northwestern University should be given strong consideration, but--as you should know--only admits about 7% of all undergraduate applicants. Whether or not the fast paced quarter system works for your student depends upon one's personal style & preference. NU students take just 4 courses per quarter versus 5 courses at semester based institutions. Many prefer the quarter system due to the efficient use of time and due to the ability to take a greater number and wider variety of courses. However, despite what another poster wrote, humanities students at NU are not enjoying 4.0 GPAs. The kids are brilliant & diligent regardless of major and the professors are experienced at distinguishing A level work products from B level work among highly talented, motivated students.
The city of Chicago is amazing. Lots of excitement & opportunities for students. Evanston (NU) is a safe, upscale suburb of Chicago.
Baltimore is rough & Durham is below average. Pittsburgh is fun.
Applicants should be aware of personal safety on campus and in the surrounding community. Concerns about personal safety at U Chicago & JHU are warranted.
Happiest students are at Duke, Northwestern, & U Chicago. JHU & CMU have very stressful environments. Academic year weather is best at Duke.
If pre-med, then no need to attend any of these super elite schools--while attend your state flagship honors college.
Hopkins was so BAD the past 5-10 years about who they let in. Quality sunk. Too much DEI, no scores, first gen and angry legacy. It’s a shell of its former self. Nothing like the 90s.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:29
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Work hard play hard: Penn, Duke, Dartmouth
I’m exploring non-Ivy options because of all the grade inflation and the constant chatter about it — not to mention the reputation for wealthy, overly polished students at the Ivies. I think the ideal balance would be a school with genuinely intellectual and hardworking students, but not ones who are overly nerdy.
Jesus god- you sound like a complete idiot. You listen to chatter and stereotypes. If you actually had a kid at an Ivy you would see 50% nowadays are needs based aid.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 23:27
Subject: Re:Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Not down to earth. Not at all. Stock up butt like the 2 late 20 something Hopkins heads (sweatshirts) in front of me at Whole Foods today. Tightly wound, no smokes, no fun
Anonymous
10/29/2025 22:52
Subject: Would you say that students at CMU, JHU, Northwestern, Duke, or UChicago tend to be more down-to-earth and hardworking?
Anonymous wrote:Dont think any school where the COA is over $90k is "down to earth".
Any student from a family earning less than $200,000 is likely to get significant financial aid at a T20 private university. So "down to earth" is possible at some schools. Some go barbell, rich and poor. And some make it work for MC and UMC - Princeton, Rice, MIT, Stanford generally. I think Duke is more a barbell school.