<p>Yes. It happens. But it happens for different reasons for different people. It happened to us, quite by surprise I might add. My d is in college in NYC and we never expected to be there. But she is thriving and loving her experience.</p>
<p>For some its the architecture, for others the warm and fuzzy feeling inside the cafeteria with kids cajoling,eating and goofing around. For others its sports phenomena. For others still the dorms and all the crazies who live there! LOL. Or the library. Or really friendly and open professors. </p>
<p>On the other hand, you can get a cold chill up your spine from other schools for various reasons. It happened to us at one college, something to do with the hyper competitive spirit on campus, the frenetic people, fast talking and all looking like they were on the verge of nervous breakdown. Eeeeeeewwwwww! Not our idea of fun.</p>
<p>And some people are just not wired one way or another and its all about the books and being focused and getting into graduate school. </p>
<p>Just know thyself and follow your gut feelings. It is often NOT a reach school. Its most often where you will be most comfortable socially, economically and maybe politically. Its very often a match and sometimes a safety school.</p>