<p>I think there is a laid back ethos at certain elites, such as Dartmouth, Stanford and Duke. As opposed to schools where it is impossible to imagine anyone is laid back, like Yale and Swarthmore.
But don’t be deceived. Laid back people almost by definition are not admitted to these places, except as legacies and developmental admits.
Give up on the tippy-top if you are looking for laid back.</p>