Identifying (competitive vs collaborative) culture at private liberal arts schools

[Mwfan1921]

@Briarrose11;d-2197686

I’m ranking colleges for the Questbridge National College Match program and I’m researching a lot of private liberal arts schools because I’m very interested in the academic opportunities offered. I want a challenging and rigorous education with access to relationships with highly qualified faculty, internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, competitions, clubs etc. I want to be very involved in the community.

I am NOT here for high stress culture though. I don’t want to get stuck at a college where the students are more interested in competing than collaborating.

What are some good ways to determine if the student culture is more competitive or more collaborative?

Best way is to talk to current students, after that read student reviews on Niche, Fiske and Princeton Review Guides, and the book Hidden Ivies.

I agree that there will be a range of students at all the QB LACs. IMO Swat and Williams (among QB partners) have the most intense academic cultures that can feel ‘grindy’, with a not insignificant proportion of students who go beyond being competitive with themselves.