"Nice" Ivies :D

College Search & Selection
#1

<p>I went to one of the top three schools in the country for a few months but was very disappointed by the distant attitude of the administration (i.e., they don't really give a rat's bum about you, etc). I would like to go to a school that makes me feel at least vaguely valued despite the fact that thousands are vying for a few spots. I got a much more positive vibe at some of the other Ivies (like Cornell, Duke, etc) but have also fallen in love with Boston. Should I bother applying to Harvard, or would I find the same attitude there? Any suggestions of other schools?</p>

<p>Hmm. This is rather confusingly written and perhaps obscenely arrogant, but I would really appreciate some help. Harvardians, go! Cornell people, Duke people -- do you enjoy your school? Anybody else found a close-knit, friendlier campus? Ooh, what about Wash U?</p>

#2

<p>
[quote]
I got a much more positive vibe at some of the other Ivies (like Cornell, Duke, etc)

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</p>

<p>I find it very hard to believe that you attended "of of the top three schools in the country" and think that Duke is an ivy. Which school did you attend?</p>

#3

<p>First of all, Duke is not an Ivy League school. Not that it matters, as the Ivy League is only an athletic conference and not indicative of the quality of a university, and Duke is a top school anyway.</p>

<p>Second of all, I think it would be hard to qualify the "top three schools in the country."</p>

<p>Third of all, the only person who would be able to answer your question is a current student, and most of the people on these boards are other applicants. Generally I have heard that Harvard is not a close-knit community, but it appears that you need to do a bit more research on schools that you are interested in, especially as a potential transfer student. Some schools have very low transfer admissions because no one leaves, and so they have very few spots for transfers, whereas other ones are very transfer-friendly and leave spots open specifically for transfers.</p>

#4

<p>I have had a lot of luck at Brown. If I ever got lost someone would stop to help me even when I didn't ask. When I was a pre frosh, everyone would stop and answer my questions.
The alumni is fantastic. They made a party to meet current students before I got admitted, made one after I got admitted, made a party for the whole South Texas area, made a farewell party, and are constantly helping me. It's like a giant family.
Administration: other people to love. They have screamed my name across a street just to say hello. :D</p>

#5

<p>I am slightly confused by your post. Is this right?:</p>

<p>You are currently in college and looking to transfer to either Harvard, Duke, or Cornell. You visited one of the Ivies and didn't get a good impression and want to know whether these three school (H, D, C) are like the one you visited?</p>

#6

<p>Let us not split hairs. Realized I had included "Ivy" and "Duke" in the same sentence while in shower. Unfortunately, computer not in bathroom due to electrocution woes, all that jazz, so could not le fix! Wash U is also included in this post concerning "nice ivies."</p>

<p>Did not name school.</p>

<p>To further split hairs, am actually not entirely a past tense student -- am current student on medical leave.</p>

#7

<p>Am not entirely sure shall transfer? C'est possible d'etre v old freshman, non? Have not/will not have attended a single university for a year as is required to be a transfer.</p>

#8

<p>Hurrah! Perhaps shall re-apply.</p>

#9

<p>We're not splitting hairs. You asked a question which was confusing in the context that you asked it. This is why "Ivy" shouldn't be used at all to refer to the selectivity of colleges. But in any event, no one really knows what it is you are asking, and it's not 'splitting hairs' to try to determine whether you are not a transfer student.</p>

<p>Either way, yes, you do need at least 30 credits in order to be considered a transfer student.</p>

#10

<p>Non; attended Y or P in the fall, left on medical leave; am currently on medical leave. Do not particularly want to return, am looking for other options. I would like to know whether or not Harvard actually makes its students feel welcome; I would like to hear about experiences with Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, WashU, various others and whether or not they are as nice as they seemed when I visited. Other schools welcome to weigh in, please!</p>

<p>I posted in this forum as did not want to make 20+ posts in various forums to the tune of "is your school any fun?" and also because is complex situation, as am not quite a transfer, yet not really a freshman....</p>

#11

<p>Well, Harvard is not accepting transfers for the upcoming school year so I don't know about the years to come.
Also I don't know much about Duke or Cornell, but if you have any questions about the community/student life at Harvard, message me and Ill be happy to help you out. :)</p>

#12

<p>I don't know what Harvard, Duke, or Cornell could offer you that Y or P didn't. On this issue, I think we're splitting hairs over student life experience. I'd be willing to bet that about 80-90% of what you get at Y or P is the same at H, D, or C (or WashU).</p>

<p>When you talk about not receiving attention from the administration and the people around you, it makes me think about one of the classic liberal arts colleges v. university arguments-- that at an LAC, everything that happens is for the students and is student-initiated.</p>

<p>Perhaps it's worth throwing some LAC's into the mix, or at least visiting them and talking to administration/faculty there?</p>

#13

<p>Yes please! I just don't have much $$ for the very long road trip or series of flights visiting LACs would entail, whereas have already made the pilgrimage to almost all of the other colleges I mentioned.</p>

#14

<p>Good idea from unalove to look at some LACS—they generally provide a more supportive, student-centered atmosphere with accessible professors and a sense of community, and academic excellence. Also, there are many superb LACS in New England, so one trip may work well for just a few college visits. If you let us know what you are looking for specifically, we can give you some ideas.</p>

<p>Here is some information on H:</p>

<p>COFHE, The Consortium on Financing Higher Education, has 31 member colleges and universities and was founded in 1971 " to examine how selective, private colleges and universities could discuss their commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for highly talented students as well as best practices in fiscal management." The results of the COFHE survey are described in the article below:</p>

<p>News</p>

<p>**Class of 2006 Dissatisfied with Advising, Social Experience</p>

<p>As social life marks heat up, seniors still lukewarm on concentration advising**</p>

<p>Published On 10/19/2006 3:48:28 AM
By ALEXANDER D. BLANKFEIN
Crimson Staff Writer</p>

<p>Despite the College’s recent efforts to improve the undergraduate experience, members of the Class of 2006 said that overall, they were less than satisfied with their advising and social experiences. This continues a three-year trend of dissatisfaction among undergraduates. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=515067%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=515067&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>This one is from The Boston Globe:</p>

<p>"Student life at Harvard lags peer schools, poll finds"</p>

<p>By Marcella Bombardieri, Boston Globe Staff</p>

<p>Student satisfaction at Harvard College ranks near the bottom of a group of 31 elite private colleges, according to an analysis of survey results that finds that Harvard students are disenchanted with the faculty and social life on campus.</p>

<p>Boston.com</a> / News / Education / Higher education / Student life at Harvard lags peer schools, poll finds</p>

#15

<p>I know exactly what you are talking about cheiro! I am talking to a lot of admin people (coaches, admission officers, etc) because of possible track recruitment and some just don't seem to care while others personally called me and had a great attitude. Harvard I felt like was okay....Princeton not friendly at all, but Dartmouth, Yale, and Columbia were great!</p>

#16

<p>I personally didn;t find Columbia to be that friendly (when I was a student in undergrad and grad), whereas Dartmouth was out of this world friendly and open (as an undergrad transfer).</p>

#17

<p>Of those you mentioned, I would say Dartmouth and Washu win in the "friendliest" category, for students and staff/administration. WashU and Dartmouth usually place high in the "happiest students" and
"best quality of life" surveys. From what I've read, Washu can be generous with FA/MA for transfer students if that's a factor.</p>

#18

<p>Many current students and alumni of Columbia and Penn are rather vicious.</p>

<p>I had a great time visiting Princeton, though.</p>

<p>Harvard and Yale's representatives were as you described: "cold and distant."</p>

#19

<p>By the very fact that the OPs posts are very confusing and badly written. I seriously doubt that someone with that quality of writing was admitted to Y and P...I mean is he even speaking English half the time?</p>

<p>O yea and Kwu I doubt that Penn and Columbia alumni are more vicious than others, what kind of statement is that anyway? I heard that Yales social scene is fantastic, very friendly and diverse. Also Penn is supposed to be a very friendly, fun and social place. Columbia also has a rep for being interesting, quirky and cool.</p>

#20

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<p>That's a pretty bold statement. How many students and alumni of Columbia and Penn have you actually met and found to be vicious?</p>