<p>I saw that Columbia was recently ranked as #1 on that list; I’m not sure if it’s the same one, but I think that Columbia deserves that spot or at least a spot in the top 5. This is a very stressful place, which the undergrads I have worked with have shared. It has little to do with cost, but a lot to do with the rigor and the acceptance rate.</p>
<p>Acceptance rate is a proxy for the students; Columbia attracts some very accomplished and competitive students who are used to being at the top of their classes. I am consistently amazed with the quality and skills of the students here. They are the top of their class from some of the best schools in the country. Many of them are pre-med or pre-law, and they’re just used to getting As without even thinking about it, so some of that contributes to the stress.</p>
<p>The academic rigor is another part. Of course, you want that in a university, and that’s what students came to Columbia for. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t contribute to the stress. The professors, too, are stressed out - trying to get tenure and/or balance their teaching responsibilities with research. The classes are difficult; professors assign a lot of reading and a lot of work. The competitiveness comes into play here, too, as students expect to be the best. A lot of professors grade on a curve, too, which IMO decreases collaboration and increases competition. Why would you help your struggling classmates if that’s going to pull down your grade on the exam?</p>
<p>I’m using Columbia as an example as to how at least two of those factors can contribute to stress.</p>