<p>With college apps at all-time highs, is it possible that the vibe at some colleges have changed from their historical rep’s? </p>
<p>The logic would be that, rather than dropping down to a safety school with the same profile, a student might choose to pursue their course of study at a more competitive school that they may not have considered before. In the process, schools that were known to be a certain way have changed.</p>
<p>Put another way, have bookish schools like Chicago and JHU become more social, and have more social schools like UVA become more bookish, as strong applicants seek top-shelf alternatives in this ultra-competitive environment?</p>
<p>No offense intended for Chicago/JHU/UVA alums, parents, students and applicants. Hopefully the question above is clear. Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.</p>
<p>No actually, Mikey175, I find this to be an excellent question, and one which I’ve noticed at my own school (Vassar).</p>
<p>When I decided to go to Vassar, several people warned me against going there… it was a place for “drama kids,” “socialists,” and “stoners,” not “mainstream” kids whose top choices were Ivy League institutions. In particular, I remember one of my dad’s friends telling me how his daughter went to Vassar in the early 90’s but transferred because she found the school to be too “alternative” and “theatre-centered.” </p>
<p>Having gone through a year and a bit at Vassar, I can say that much of these characteristics are just not true. Of course, they’re partially based on stereotypes, but I personally feel that things at Vassar have changed in the last ten to twenty years. There are definitely rising populations of student-athletes and “Ivy league-like” kids at the school, as well as the “drama geeks” I’d heard about from my father’s friend. Basically, there’s an alternative, artsy scene on-campus, but it’s no longer the primary force the school is known for. At this point I would even question the “waaaay liberalness” (as I’ve seen it described) of Vassar. The school is certainly quite liberal; however, I’ve noticed just in the year I’ve been there that there’s a growing population of moderates and conservatives. Or, at least, I’ve definitely met more freshmen that would call themselves “moderate” or “conservative” than sophomores (and I’ve met even fewer juniors and seniors who would say they’re “conservative” or “moderate”). This could, of course, just be coincidental, but it does seem to fit with your theory… the admissions rate for Vassar was 5% lower for the class of 2012 than it was for 2011.</p>
<p>It definitely seems to be true at most schools. I go to UCSD which historically has a reputation as a school for science nerds but there is definitely a party scene.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you also have schools like West Point/Annapolis which are still for the serious military types.</p>