College is a lot of work. This is relatively unsurprising; there are a lot of things you need to learn, and only a limited amount of time in which to learn them. This does not mean all colleges are created equal however; some revel in how much time students need to spend in the library, while others take a more laid-back approach.
In this article, we’re going to explore the top colleges with the most and least intensive atmospheres. Our goal in doing this is to help you find a college which best suits your own inclinations and aspirations, and to get a sense of what life will be like on campus. Note also that these are general vibes only; your own college experience can be as intensive as you want to make it. That said, let’s jump right in!
The Most Work-Intense Colleges
All colleges require you to do work; that should be unsurprising. After all, your technical position is full-time student, so you should expect to spend up to forty hours each week on the work you are assigned, both in your classes and outside of them. Some colleges expect more than others however. These are the five top colleges which expect the most from their students, in terms of both how much work is assigned, and the atmosphere on campus.
5: Princeton University
Princeton is notorious among the Ivy League for its lack of grade inflation relative to its peers. This approach to academic excellence extends to the rest of the offerings at Princeton, with a culture that is known to expect a lot from students who attend. You may not spend all of your time in the library, but in order to get high grades, you will need to do significant amounts of work.
This is a culture of how classes are graded as much as it is one of students doing work on their own, and not all courses follow the same structures. It is entirely possible to find easy courses at Princeton, but this must be done deliberately; the norm is doing work, and being graded without as much of a curve as other top schools.
Review: Princeton University is certainly an academically rigorous college. It attracts students who hold themselves to high standards which, due to grade deflation, adds to the stress of most students.
4. University of Chicago
Notorious for the unofficial motto of “Where fun goes to die,” UChicago prides itself in how much work its students need to do. The library keeps late hours, and study dates (wherein you and a date simply sit next to each other while studying quietly), are a common phenomenon.
This atmosphere is by choice, and one perpetuated by the students themselves, who take a kind of pride in how much work they do for their classes. Not every course is difficult, and you can build a schedule which avoids these late nights, but in general, students at UChicago enjoy the school’s reputation, and strive to live up to it.
Review: The University of Chicago is fast-paced, almost too fast. Since it runs on a “quarter system”, and starts in October, you will be having a test almost every week, and finals in only two months. It’s stressful, but really engaging.
3. MIT
MIT is a school where students work quite hard, and who see themselves as being better for it (there is also a tendency to compare themselves and the amount of work they do favorably to Harvard across the river; this is not to say that Harvard is an easy school, but that it does not have the same atmosphere as MIT).
Of course, MIT is not a monolith, but the students there do take pride in their work, and the amount of effort they put into their classes. It is possible to take an easy courseload, but this takes some careful work, and is not possible at all for some majors.
Review: As a student at MIT, I can confidently say that the experience is both challenging and rewarding. The academic rigor here is unmatched; classes are fast-paced and intellectually stimulating, pushing you to think critically and creatively. The professors are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in their students’ success.
2. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is another school which favors hard work,and where the students pride themselves on the effort they put in. There are some easier options, and not every course requires significant work, but the core of the school is built on the expectation that students are there to do serious work.
Note that not all students at Georgia Tech are the most studious, and there are cultural differences between schools. The engineering program is, however, notoriously work-heavy, and that is what the school is best known for.
Review: I have never been more challenged in and out the classroom. The rigor of the institution will make you call into question your capabilities and you continue to prove to yourself that you can handle it. … The food is sub par as well as the dorms. But, the shared misery is what makes camaraderie.
1. Caltech
Caltech is a school with a very small number of undergrads, all of whom are very serious about their studies, and all of whom are at the school in order to work. It is perhaps one of the most studious schools in the country, and definitely the most studious of the top colleges. All of the students there are quite dedicated, and spending long hours doing your coursework is the expectation.
Almost every class at Caltech is difficult, and the number of courses they require students to take is high. Their admissions process is selective because they only want students who are willing to do this level of work, and who know exactly what they’re signing up for when they attend the school.
Review: The stereotype of ‘Caltech is lot of work and a lot of theory’ is not exaggerated. Good if you really enjoy doing math and science, but genuinely do not go here if you value your free time.
The Most Laid-Back Colleges
All top colleges expect students to work hard; that is part of being a top college. While some have a whole culture of work however, others are more laid back and relaxed. You can, of course, push yourself at these schools if you desire to, but there is no need to if that’s not what you want. Again, we are only looking at top colleges here; there are a great many schools you can attend if you’re looking for a more relaxing time while at college.
Note also that “most laid back” is not synonymous with “party school.” While some of these schools do have a reputation for that (looking at you, USC), they are on this list because of their more relaxed atmospheres when it comes to academics, while still having rigorous curriculums.
5. Dartmouth
Located a long ways from everywhere, there is in fact not much of a social scene in rural New Hampshire. This leads in turn to students turning to their own devices to entertain themselves. While there are schools with more parties than Dartmouth, we do admire the lengths students there go to to entertain themselves.
There is a lot of work to do at the school of course, but it is quite possible to relax while doing so. Dartmouth is also notable for having the highest participation in Greek life of any Ivy League school (and one of the highest participation rates generally). This isn’t for everyone of course, but is quite appealing to those who enjoy this aspect of college.
Review: Great school! Not super diverse, but it’s easy to find your people. Profs are for the most part amazing and super inspirational. Definitely less competitive than the other Ivies. I have truly had the best time here and gotten to come out of my shell.
4. Northwestern
In many ways, Northwestern sets itself up as a counterpart to UChicago. While both are quite strong academic institutions, their culture and traditions are incredibly distinct. This is easy to see in their approach to relaxation. Northwestern is not exactly a major party school, but they do know how to have a good time, and how to unwind after a long day of studying.
The quarter system the school uses does mean you have three sets of finals each year, but also means you don’t need to worry about finals or homework during spring break or winter break. Overall, if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, this is a much better choice of Chicago school than UChicago.
Review: A lot of the social scene on campus is through frats so if you’re not part of it then you’re kinda left out. People are pretty focused on their learning here and it does take effort to succeed. But if you work hard you’ll be able to play hard.
3. Stanford
There is a stereotype of Californians as being more laid back than other parts of the country; this is not always true (see Caltech above), but it does happen that way at Stanford. With excellent weather all year long, students can relax on the quad through the entire school year, and often do.
Stanford is not a major party school, and there are challenging courses, but there is not the need to stress over them that you see at some other colleges. You can make your schedule more challenging of course, and some majors are more work than others, but overall it is not a school that wants you to work yourself to the bone.
Review: Perfect for intellectually curious people as there are a lot of opportunities for all interests. Engineering school is popular but definitely not just an engineering school as I have heard from others who are not at Stanford. I really love the combination of things to do including great extracurricular activities, sports, parties, and work opportunities.
2. USC
The University of Southern California is known as something of a party school, and students do love taking advantage of its location to explore the broader LA area. There are definitely difficult courses and majors at USC, but as a whole, it is a school that gives students enough free time to enjoy themselves as they see fit.
Of course, you don’t have to party at USC, but it is always an option there. Combine that with the perpetually warm weather in LA, and the school has a great relaxed atmosphere.
Review: It has a perfect work-life balance. Professors are amazing and the amount of support resources are too good. It has so many events, and the campus is too good. I feel USC is actually the most perfect college out there – Weather, Location, Housing, Campus, Social Life, Work Life, Career Support, Food is Decent. 100000% recommend if you want a happy, overall college life
1. Brown
Unlike most other schools, Brown doesn’t really have any required courses, leaving you free to take whatever classes best suit your interests and passions. There are challenging courses there you can avail yourself of, but there is no requirement to struggle through Calculus if you don’t need it for your major.
The atmosphere at Brown is quite relaxed as a result of this. The students are engaged and active of course, and they are academically curious and inclined, but they also have plenty of time to relax, and explore the world around them. Brown is definitely a great choice if you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.
Review: The open curriculum allowed me to explore diverse subjects and tailor my education to my interests, fostering a love for learning. The faculty was supportive and inspiring, and the campus environment was vibrant and inclusive. Brown’s commitment to intellectual freedom and social responsibility made it a unique and stimulating place to grow academically and personally.
Final Thoughts
College is a place to work and learn, but that’s definitely all that happens there. Different schools relax in different ways, and put different amounts of emphasis on how much work students are expected to do. What kind of atmosphere suits you best is of course up to you, but is worth investigating for the schools you apply to, to see how each is able to support your needs.
We hope this article has given you a good introduction to how much atmospheres can differ between colleges, and what you can expect from some top schools. If you are looking for more information about life at top universities, we recommend checking out our college fact sheets. If you want advice on how to find the best school for your needs, schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a long experience helping students get into great schools, and are always happy to hear from you.
