Hey, I'm a high school junior and I've been doing some research on different colleges. I've heard that some have intimidating traditions, like intense school rivalries or events. Could anyone share some examples or their own experiences with this? Just trying to get the full picture here in my search. Thanks!
From an observer perspective: Absolutely, colleges can have some pretty fascinating, occasionally intimidating but mostly fun and unique, traditions. For example, MIT has the infamous "Piano Drop" event, where students drop an old, unusable piano from the top of a six-story building to celebrate the end of drop period (the deadline when students can add or drop classes).
At the U.S. Air Force Academy, the first-year students ("doolies") are expected to navigate a challenging “Recognition” program that carries both physical and mental tests. It culminates in a demanding challenge that requires them to successfully ascend the academy’s 17-foot-tall obelisk. This process helps build camaraderie and a deepened sense of community among the cadets, but it can sound quite daunting!
University of California at Berkeley has the big game rally, which precedes their annual game against the Stanford Cardinal football team. It's a large-scale, high-energy event, and while it's mostly about school spirit, the fervor behind it can be a bit intense for people not accustomed to such events.
At Reed College, there's a tradition called Renn Fayre - it's essentially a three-day themed festival with a variety of activities and it's the largest event on campus. While it's mostly fun, the scale of it can be quite intimidating for some.
Other traditions may come off as 'intimidating' due to the high participation rate and the enthusiasm displayed, but in reality, these traditions help foster a sense of community and offer some fun diversions from academics. The traditions can certainly be intense, but it's important to remember that participation is rarely obligatory, so you can always choose your level of involvement.
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