Anonymous
Post 07/15/2025 23:31     Subject: Re:Which schools have kids with happy experiences and outcomes?
I haven’t read through the thread at all, just the original post. One college graduate, this year. Our other kids are still in college and high school.
Excellent experience for our JMU grad. Terrific undergrad experience. Job offer in February. Moved to a terrific city with a great salary in June.

Anonymous
Post 07/15/2025 22:53     Subject: Which schools have kids with happy experiences and outcomes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering how and if this is measurable, beyond the "vibe" one gets from visiting a school. I feel like college has become such an industry (this board alone underscores the intensity of admissions!). I want my kid to get a good education, but more than anything, I want my child to take away invaluable lessons about happiness, balance, and values during those four years instead of getting caught up in the noise of the competitive rat-race. Which schools have happy graduates? Which schools have a healthy balance between work and life? How is this measured, and can it be?

I know way too many kids who worked so hard for some kind of elite school, thinking it would solve their problems or magically open doors, and it did none of those things. I know one teenager who took his life after being denied admission to a top college. I know others who have been admitted to psychiatric hospitals due to intense academic pressure. It all feels like too much, and I'm wondering how and where to look for communities that put these four years into healthy perspectives.


Here in the UK, none of the London schools have good student satisfaction ratings. This is a variable that is measured here. Kings College, UCL, have very low student satisfaction ratings. Surprisingly, Oxford and St Andrews are always at the top. And I dont think Cambridge participates. The

I don’t see why that’d be surprising. Oxford is an amazing experience and the type of person who attends Oxford loves learning, especially from some of the world’s best scholars. It’d be unusual if people disliked Oxford


So what is St Andrews excuse? 19 of the last 20 years they had the #1 student satisfaction rating?

DD went to Yale and did not have a good experience. prestige has nothing to do with a good experience.


Interesting post. I went to Yale a looooog time ago. It was a phenomenal experience for me. Sad to head your DD didnt have a good time. Would love to know more about that if you are willing to share. My daughter is at St Andrews. She will be a 4th year in the fall. She absolutely loves it. She loved it so much that she is planning on staying for a masters degree.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2025 22:51     Subject: Which schools have kids with happy experiences and outcomes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: it sounds borderline euphoric.


What are they doing that makes it so euphoric?!


It’s …. a blast when you are 20-21? Not my scene at all as a saggy semi-sober mom, but Nashvegas is a nationally known party destination


Hahaaa! Nashvegas . I absolutely hate country so it would be hell for me.


+1
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2025 22:38     Subject: Which schools have kids with happy experiences and outcomes?
DD is at BU. She's very happy and having a ton of great experiences.
In fact, she's even staying in Boston during the summer for her classe, research, and jobs.