Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 15:57     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


I think this is true, as a Vandy parent. My own kid is high stats, authentically pointy, AND an extroverted partier. Most of his social circles are somewhat similar. That said, when I am on campus I cannot help but notice a large contingent of females who strike me as much more studious. They’ll be walking down Greek row at 8 on a Friday in groups of 2-3 coming from class/library/dining wearing giant backpacks


Vandy parent also - above is true but also large contingent of douchey mean girls from Ca and Miami enclaves - bit of a protection racket as they control the two mean girl sororities. By senior year they are old news and used up from several years of manipulative nastiness. But freshman year this cadre seems disproportionately large in the social circles. Starting soph year and on the nice girls start really finding their peeps and having fun


KKG and Theta right?
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 15:46     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


Not Northwestern in 2026. Maybe in 1996.


Not according to the kids that actually attend Northwestern in 2026.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 15:14     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


I think this is true, as a Vandy parent. My own kid is high stats, authentically pointy, AND an extroverted partier. Most of his social circles are somewhat similar. That said, when I am on campus I cannot help but notice a large contingent of females who strike me as much more studious. They’ll be walking down Greek row at 8 on a Friday in groups of 2-3 coming from class/library/dining wearing giant backpacks


Vandy parent also - above is true but also large contingent of douchey mean girls from Ca and Miami enclaves - bit of a protection racket as they control the two mean girl sororities. By senior year they are old news and used up from several years of manipulative nastiness. But freshman year this cadre seems disproportionately large in the social circles. Starting soph year and on the nice girls start really finding their peeps and having fun
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 14:44     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.


Don’t act dense.


Sure, it’s me that’s dense with a child attending. Silly me, of course dcum knows more.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 11:20     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


Not sure about that


Not sure what's happening with my algorithms - anyone getting bombarded with photos from fizznorthwestern on IG?
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 11:13     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


Not sure about that
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 10:42     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.


Don’t act dense.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 10:22     Subject: Most fun T25 private

https://nypost.com/2023/07/20/ivy-league-lgbtq-numbers-soar-harvard-numbers-triple/

Says brown is 38% couple of years ago. 40% is reasonable assumption
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 10:14     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.


Maybe ask you son about it.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 09:48     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.


can't you ask your son?
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 09:41     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Princeton has almost no Greek life, the eating clubs are a strong scene and are usually pretty accessible to underclassman (do we still call it that). There are bicker and sign in clubs, so you can do a lottery or a Greek like joining system, so all sorts.

If you aren’t into party scene there’s apartment style dorms and a dining coop.

It’s a freaking cult, and the party continues for decades at Reunions, so I assume most consider it fun.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 09:33     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Brown cancelled Greek life social events for an apparent DEI reason…..

Definitely not on this list.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2026 17:51     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.


Where?
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2026 17:27     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


Also, 40% identify as LBTQ+ which gives the social climate an entirely different vibe.


How so? I have a straight male junior there, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2026 16:50     Subject: Most fun T25 private

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And expanding the list to T30 because my California kid had the time of his life at UVA. Now living his best NYC life with a great social circle.


I'd assume the point of the private in the title was for size of school.


Fair point. I think the student’s frame of reference matters. UVA is much smaller than Cal/UCLA, and felt more accessible I terms of resources and social opportunites.

If we are rolling g strictly private here, why is Brown not getting more airtime? It’s where son’s bf went and that kid loved the social life. But he was a recruited athlete.


Interesting. I’ve heard somewhat negative things about Brown’s social climate in the last two years. It’s become nerdier and quirky (in a non-social way).


I think all of the top schools have become nerdier. To get in, you have to be laser focused and pretty serious. Add to that the large number of Asian kids at these schools, and there are smaller and smaller numbers of kids who really party.


This is the answer. Admissions officers are picking the kids with perfect stats, passion projects, research, measurable community impact, etc.They are the intense, brilliant, and nerdy kids. Do you expect them to go to college and start partying 3 nights a week and going to basketball games? Please.


Some schools are looking for the kids who are social and outgoing....captains of teams and presidents of student govt.....Vanderbilt comes to mind. Same with UMichigan......and now Northwestern/Notre Dame.


Not Northwestern in 2026. Maybe in 1996.


I think a strong minority (maybe 25-30%) of the freshman class is like this (perhaps intentionally).