social status

Academics are great.  You go to college to get an education, but part of the education is learning how to interact with peers beyond textbooks and study groups.  Here are three things to consider when choosing a college when it comes to social life:

1. Greek life - the presence of fraternaties and sororities on campus can have a big impact on how weekends are played out on a campus.
2. School spirit - even if you’re not a sports fan, you might catch that bug (unless you end up going to Bard).  Beyond sports, an overall school spirit draws a campus together and helps create a strong community.
3. Proximity to an urban center - do students stay on campus or do they hit the city when the weekend rolls around?  Beyond going to house parties vs bars, a student body that stays on campus during the weekend is more likely to provide its own entertainment through functions, performances, and great stories when that kid from the party last night walks into the dining hall still wearing the same clothes.