<p>^ Other top schools also accept students who have a passion for learning, the difference is that on top of that the students in other schools will generally be more interested in extra curricular activities as well. The Core definitely helps promote intellectual discussion, just because you can meet a random person and chances are that he/she has read at least one of the books you have in your Hum/Sosc. The nature of the seminar style discussions in class also helps to foster your general desire to have those types of discussions.</p>