Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UNC may be best place for academics, lacrosse and social life in US.
You would have to over-index on social life to reach that conclusion considering the various higher tier academic institutions with great lacrosse programs.
For reference, here is the list of all the schools with both a higher US News academic ranking and a higher 2024 NCAA D1 lacrosse ranking:
Northwestern University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame
Be aware that the “social” side of things at all of the schools mentioned is driven 100% by lacrosse. You live, eat, train, lift, practice, study, and socialize with the team, every day. There is often a starter vs backup culture at these schools too: coaches typically focus attention on the players on the field and the starters tend to close ranks and fraternize among themselves. Very few underclasswomen get playing time at these schools - to a HS player used to getting tons of glory, that can be a brutal transition. Bragging rights come with getting recruited to these schools but the true experience is often something very different. Better social experiences might be found at the strong academics in the teens and 20s where starters don’t tend to have a superiority complex, team bonds are strong, big wins against top 10 teams feel like superbowl victories, opportunity for playing time is very high, and engagement with students and opportunities outside of lacrosse isn’t just allowed but encouraged. Think hard about the kind of experience you want for your kid and guide them accordingly.